Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
I find Jack in the kitchen when I get back. ‘How did it go?’ he asks from where he’s sitting at the kitchen table. I notice he has what appears to be a half-full tumbler of brandy in front of him and I’m immediately wary. Other than the odd glass of wine, he rarely drinks alcohol.
‘Okay.’ I drop my phone and keys on the worktop and give him a small smile.
I have to talk to him. Confused Lina might be, but I can’t just ignore the shocking things she’d accused him of.
I don’t have all the details around his wife’s death either.
I hadn’t pushed him to talk about it because I’d thought it might be too painful for him.
For my peace of mind, I realise I have to.
Right now, though, with sweeping nausea churning my stomach and feeling tired down to the core of my bones, I don’t feel able to cope with any more emotional conversation.
Still, I need him to know we do have to talk.
I can’t just leave it. ‘We need to have a conversation about what happened tonight,’ I say, watching him carefully.
‘I know,’ he acknowledges with a weary sigh.
‘I have to go out in the morning. Can we meet tomorrow?’ I ask. ‘Around lunchtime maybe?’
I haven’t had a chance to mention it yet, but I have a house to view.
Since it doesn’t appear to need major renovation, I’d hoped it would be a way to ease myself back into work.
The payout from Mark’s insurance policy, together with the funds in our business account, means I don’t have to rush.
I’m financially secure for now, but interior design is what I do, and it’s something I feel I can fit around being a mum, which had been the idea when Kai had come along.
I haven’t had the heart to even think about it until recently.
I was confident I was ready, though. That with Jack’s help I could make it work.
Now, with Lina dropping like a bombshell into our lives, Jack’s reaction to some of the things she’d said, and Evie clearly affected by all of this, I’m feeling less certain about tipping anything else into the mix.
‘Of course, no problem,’ he says. ‘I have the bathroom installation I’m working on to finish, but I’ll make the time. I’m sorry, by the way,’ he adds, glancing apprehensively at me. ‘About the way I reacted to Lina. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. It didn’t help matters.’
‘No.’ I have to agree with that. I scan his face. His eyes are filled with angst and regret and it reassures me a little. ‘We’ll talk more tomorrow,’ I say, heading for the kettle. ‘Tea?’
‘I’ll make it,’ he offers, getting to his feet. ‘You look done in.’
‘Thanks.’ I smile back at him and sit down at the table. I’d forgotten how exhausting early pregnancy can be. But then it has been a rather eventful day. ‘You’ve gathered that Evie is staying over with Lina?’ I ask him as I prise my shoes off.
Sighing heavily, he nods. ‘I guess there’s not much I can do about it. Does the woman not realise she has school in the morning? That she’s at a crucial stage in her education?’
‘I’m not sure she’s capable of coherent thinking.
She’s extremely confused,’ I remind him, recalling Lina’s references to Natalia as if she were still here.
It’s as if she can’t let go of her. ‘I don’t think she’s capable of looking after herself either,’ I add by way of preparing the ground for the bombshell I’m going to drop.
‘Evie’s clearly very worried about her, determined to try to look after her. ’
‘I gathered,’ he answers tersely.
‘Did you know she was living in a flat over a shop?’ I ask curiously.
‘I had no idea where she was,’ he answers with a disinterested shrug.
‘It’s a dump,’ I tell him. ‘Not fit for habitation in my opinion.’
He glances at me, his forehead creasing into a frown.
‘There are signs of vermin, and the plumbing’s backed up, according to Evie. There’s an appalling smell. Evie’s been trying to find her a plumber.’ I let it hang, wanting to let him know that Evie hadn’t felt able to turn to him. Also, how serious she is about looking out for Lina.
Jack draws in a breath, appearing to debate. ‘I’ll take a look,’ he says, coming across with the tea. ‘Assuming Evie wants me to.’
I look at him in surprise. I hadn’t expected him to offer.
He clearly notes my expression. ‘I believe Lina has some kind of agenda – muddled or not, she seems determined to stir up trouble between us – but I’m not heartless, Kara, despite what she would have you think.’
I want to try to reassure him, but I’m not sure how. I’m about to tell him I don’t think he’s anything of the sort, that I’m just horribly confused, when my phone ringing jars me.
Quickly, I fetch it from the worktop and answer it, and my heart jolts. ‘Kara, can you come back?’ Evie asks, her voice frantic. ‘I think Nan’s had a stroke.’