Chapter 51 Rosie – Day 11
‘I’ve got cancer. It’s terminal.’ Marianne sobs. ‘I’m sorry, this is not how I wanted to tell you.’
‘What?’ Theo spins to face her. ‘Mum?’
Both the boys wear the same expression of disbelief. Conversations cease and the music halts. All Rosie can hear is the pounding of her heart and the strangled cries of Marianne.
Luke necks the rest of his drink in one. ‘But you look fine.’
‘I’m on a lot of medication. I had treatment for a while, but it’s not shrunk the tumour and there’s little more they can do.
This is my last holiday.’ Marianne’s voice breaks.
She looks as if she’s diminished in size.
‘This trip was the chance to do something different. For all of us to get along. No arguments, no disagreements, just a wonderful time with my precious boys – and their girls of course. The grandchildren are growing up so fast and, well,’ her voice crackles, ‘I want to savour each moment.’
No one moves.
‘Surely they can do something? Go private?’ Luke questions.
‘I’ve seen every specialist under the sun. It’s been hard, really hard. You know I hate hospitals—’ She stops suddenly and pulls a tissue from the deep pockets of her flowy skirt.
‘Darling, I think you should sit down,’ Gerry says, coming to stand beside her. ‘The doctor’s told you to try and avoid excess stress.’
‘Wait. He knows but you didn’t tell us?’ Luke directs his anger towards his stepdad.
‘I made him promise not to say a thing.’ Marianne’s red-ringed eyes meet Rosie’s gaze. ‘I didn’t want to ruin this trip but so much has gone on and . . .’
Theo turns to Rosie, slowly working out why she’s staying so quiet, filling in the blanks. ‘You knew?’
‘Your mum told me a few days ago . . .’ She trails off.
‘How could you not tell me?’ He looks at her, distraught. ‘Luke was right about you keeping secrets.’
‘Wait. Please.’ Rosie tries to stop him but he moves too quickly, heading for the other side of the terrace, to the stone staircase, and down the long stretch of manicured lawn away from the guests and the pitying looks of sympathy.
‘Theo,’ she calls after him. ‘Theo. Wait!’
A thick arm holds her back from chasing after him.
‘You knew our mum was dying? How the fuck did you know but not us?’ Luke steps in her path. A blast of booze hits her nostrils. His eyes are glazed with drink. He casts a domineering shadow over her.
‘I . . . I . . .’ Rosie stutters. Her cheeks flame under his angry gaze.
‘Fenna was right about you. You’ve charmed your way into this family but none of us know who the hell you are.
Everything was perfect before you came along.
What have you been saying to my wife? Telling her not to trust me.
I don’t know what your game is. Stirring the pot?
Was this your plan? Turn us all against each other? ’
Rosie can’t catch her breath. His face is scrunched in fury. Her eyes roam the party guests trying to find Fenna in the crowd. Where is she? She could surely talk sense into Luke. Everyone is staring.
‘Luke. Stop. I made her promise not to say a thing,’ Marianne says firmly, placing a hand on her eldest son’s arm.
Luke steps away from Rosie, muttering to himself.
She races to find Theo.