29. Too late – 1985 #2
Panic began to set in when she couldn’t see Andi’s car out the front but she carried on up and rang the bell to her mum’s flat. The panic subsided when she heard someone coming to the door. But it was her mum, not Andi. ‘Hello, love, did you forget your key?’
‘It’s at home. I only decided to come at the last minute. Is Andi here?’
‘She left a couple of hours ago. I took a day’s holiday to see her off.’
‘Did she give you her new address?’
‘She doesn’t have one yet. Someone she knows from school lives in a squat there. She’s staying with them until she can find somewhere. I told her it’s not a good idea but she’s set on it. Why, what is it?’
Too late. She was too late. Every part of her was sinking now. ‘I just. I just. Oh, Mum. So much has been happening. I thought I was getting better but now I’m so confused. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.’
Her mum grabbed her shoulders and ushered her in. ‘Let’s see if we can work it out together. Tell me everything.’
‘Well I can see why you were upset,’ said her mum.
‘Cassandra and Andi were definitely at the hospital. They left shortly after I arrived. Anton turned up about fifteen minutes after they’d gone, so there is a chance they might have bumped into one another.
But if Anton’s saying he didn’t and you don’t believe him, I suppose you’ll have to ask Cassandra’.
‘I was going to ask her that when I went to see her but I couldn’t hang around while that man was there. Especially after he said that about you.’
‘Well, it was actually the truth. Bernard did want to buy me off and take you to live with him and that horrible woman, who plainly wasn’t happy about it, by the way.
She would have been vile to you. I wasn’t going to have that.
Also, we wouldn’t have been able to see each other. I wasn’t having that either.’
‘I’m glad you said no. What was the price for me? How much did he think I was worth?’
‘It doesn’t matter. If it had been a million pounds I’d have still said no.
It wasn’t, but it would have been enough for me open up my own Talulah with money to spare.
As for Anton designing his house, I can see why he didn’t tell you.
Mind you, it was stupid because it was bound to come out eventually. What are you going to do?’
Ursula shrugged. ‘Well I can’t run off to London.’
‘Yes you can. If you want to.’
Not without Andi she couldn’t. Although twenty-four hours ago, she didn’t even think she could do it with Andi.
‘Or you can come back here.’
That was tempting, but not for now. She’d made up her mind to go back home and talk to Anton.
Maybe she’d try calling Cass as well. She had her home number.
And if she was still unhappy when Andi eventually sent her address, she’d definitely follow her to London.
‘I think I should talk things over with Anton. If that doesn’t work, I know I have you to fall back on. ’
‘That sounds like a very sensible plan. I’ll give you a lift back.’
‘Will you be all right on your own now that me and Andi have gone?’ said Ursula when they were in the car.
‘I think so. I’m even planning a little holiday when the weather warms up.’
‘Alone?’
‘No, with a friend.’
‘Oh, a friend from work?’
‘No. Someone I used to know when I was younger. We both worked at Fry’s for a while. We bumped into each other again a couple of years ago.’
‘That’s nice. What’s her name?’
‘Solly.’
‘Solly? As in–’
‘Solomon.’
Ursula’s mouth fell open. ‘Mum, are you saying you’ve got a boyfriend?’
‘More of a man friend really. Is that all right? I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you.’
‘It’s the best news I’ve had in ages. Go on holiday with him, Mum. Have a great time. If anyone should, it’s you.’
‘Thanks, love. He’s divorced as well. He’s got three kids, a bit older than you.
I haven’t met them yet but he says they’re very pleased he’s got someone.
You can still come home if you want to though.
There’ll always be room for you.’ Her mum pulled up at the house.
‘Just a thought. It might be an idea for you to make proper plans regardless of whether you stay or go. Think about what you really want to do.’
‘I will. And maybe I can meet Solly soon.’
Ursula waved her mum off and turned towards the house, instinctively looking up at Anton’s office window.
It was getting dark but he wasn’t back yet.
She let herself in, thinking about what she could make quickly for dinner.
The light on the answerphone was flashing.
He’d left a message to say he’d be back late and not to wait up. So much for discussing later then.
Anton was already in the bathroom when she woke up. He must have crept into bed while she’d been asleep last night, and crept out again this morning. She got up and went down to make breakfast. It was another half hour before he came down carrying his suitcase. ‘You’re going away?’ she said.
‘Yes. That was what the meeting was about yesterday. It should have been a colleague but he was taken ill, so I must go in his place.’
‘Where? How long for?’
‘Canada. A fortnight, I think. It depends. It’s a great opportunity, I can’t turn it down. I have left you a very long list. You will be all right?’
‘Yes. I will.’ February 16th was just a few days off but she had plenty to occupy her. She was going to make a list of her own. It was time to make plans.