Chapter 14 Rosie – Day 4
Rosie lies on the sun lounger and watches Marianne pull out a teal-coloured soft-cover Moleskine journal and an expensive ballpoint pen.
It’s the same one she was writing in when Rosie saw her yesterday in the wildflower garden.
Marianne clearly didn’t see her, or if she did, she’s not mentioned it.
‘We had a retreat here a few months ago, and a bunch of authors came to stay. They were friends with Richard and Evelyn,’ Marianne tells Rosie.
‘They’ve also got a place here. You’ll get to meet them in a few days, I hope.
Anyway, these authors start the day with morning pages.
A way to clear your head. The older I get the more I forget.
So I decided to give it a go. It’s probably a lot of nonsense but I’m finding it helpful.
You might like to do this for the children, Fenna? Start a journal.’
‘Mmm, maybe . . .’ Fenna replies. She’s trying to doze in the sun beside them but keeps getting interrupted with Alba’s many questions.
‘Have you put Alba’s name down for swimming lessons? Both my boys could swim at her age.’
‘Not yet,’ Fenna replies.
‘It’s so important.’
‘I know but she’s got time,’ Fenna says. Rosie picks up on the tone of irritation. ‘She’s got armbands on and Luke’s in the water with her.’
The baby lets out a loud cry from his pushchair and Fenna gets to her feet with an exasperated sigh. Marianne looks like she wants to say something else, but Paulo appears.
‘Ah, Paulo. Any news?’ Marianne asks.
He stands with his hat in his hands, moving it quickly between his fingers. ‘No, I’m sorry.’
Marianne sits up. ‘What? I was sure I’d left it there. Did you look properly?’
Paulo nods.
‘Fenna, Alba didn’t pick up anything she shouldn’t have this morning, did she?’ Marianne asks.
‘No. Why?’
‘Nothing,’ Marianne flaps her hand.
Fenna shrugs in confusion.
The key rests in her shorts pocket. Is this what Marianne is searching for?
‘Have you lost something?’ she asks.
‘No. I mean, it’s nothing to worry about,’ Marianne replies, her voice higher than usual. ‘I’m sure it’ll turn up.’
Paulo takes a breath. ‘If you allowed me to cut the grass . . .’
Marianne holds up a hand. ‘I’ve told you that garden is not to be touched. Gerry knows this. I can keep on top of it. The children don’t go in there.’
‘I know, Signora, but . . .’
‘Paulo. I won’t tell you again.’
Rosie is taken aback by Marianne’s no-nonsense tone. Her demeanour has changed in an instant. ‘Go and have another look for me. I’d appreciate being left alone with the family.’
Rosie tenses. A loud bark of laughter from Theo and Luke in the pool drowns out whatever Marianne says next.
Paulo leaves and Marianne declares that she’s going for a dip in the pool, muttering something under her breath as she takes off her cover-up.
‘What was that about?’ Fenna asks, nodding at Paulo sheepishly walking away.
‘No idea,’ Rosie lies.
A slow prickle starts at the back of her head. Should she tell her that she’s found the key?
‘I wonder what it was. She can get territorial about her things. But Paulo’s right. That wildflower garden needs a good tidy up. I’ve always thought it would be perfect for a tennis court. If it was up to me, I’d rip it down and start again.’
‘Theo mentioned that his mum doesn’t like anyone going there. Do you know why?’ she tentatively asks.
‘It’s so the wildlife isn’t disturbed, but who knows.
It’s easier to do what she says sometimes.
The place is so full of weeds and God knows what else.
I wouldn’t want to spend time down there.
Poor Paulo clearly was in the wrong place at the wrong time as usually she gets Gerry to run around after her. ’
‘Speaking of Gerry . . . Where is he?’ Rosie hasn’t seen him much in the daytime.
‘God knows. I think he finds it easier to keep his distance when the brothers are together. Marianne gets caught in the middle.’
She’s still not sure why there is a coolness towards their stepdad as he’s been in the boys’ lives for years now.
She’s about to ask Fenna why they’re not particularly close when a cascade of water hits the sun loungers.
Luke is trying to use Alba’s inflatable unicorn ring as a basketball hoop, dunking Theo in.
‘Watch it. I’m soaked!’ Fenna cries.
Luke raises a hand in an apology. ‘It was Theo’s fault.’
‘Hey.’ Theo splashes his brother again.
‘They’re so competitive. Always been like this, ever since they were little,’ Marianne says from the other end of the pool where she’s sitting on the low steps, laughing. ‘They must get it from their father.’
Fenna swears under her breath. Rosie tries to give her a smile in solidarity as she dries her legs with a towel, but it’s clear that cracks are starting to show.