A Family Scandal (13 page)

The woman in the bright print sundress turned a little and he caught the profile of her face. No. It couldn’t be. He must be imagining it because he’d been thinking of the past, of his family. There must be thousands of young women of similar appearance and it was a trick of the light, or he needed glasses. It couldn’t be who he thought it was.

The woman turned so that she was almost facing the shop as she drew out what looked like postcards from the bag. There was a post-box a couple of shops along and Alec realised that she was going to head towards it to send her cards. Was one of them to his wife? This woman was almost definitely who he thought she was. She was their former next-door neighbour. She and her husband and horrible, noisy little boy had moved in while his mother was still alive. She had been friends with his wife, had probably encouraged her treachery. She wore her hair differently now but it was definitely her, with that irritatingly cheerful expression and big mouth. Many a time he’d thought he’d like to wipe the smile from her face.

He stood back a little in case she noticed him, although he knew it was unlikely at this time of day – the sun would be reflecting off the panes of glass at the front and he’d be all but invisible. Still, he drew to one side, keen to avoid her gaze. The last thing he wanted was for her to recognise him and go home tittle-tattling to his wife.

He hoped she’d post her cards and go, but she glanced at her watch and stood as though waiting for somebody. Of all the meeting places she could have chosen, she’d picked the pavement right between him and the sea. Other tourists wandered past, but he could see she was still there – her dress stood out in its gaudy pattern.

Then another familiar figure swept into view, catching her from behind and twirling her round. It was her husband, the one who used to make such a clatter when he mowed their lawn and left it untidy at the edges. There he was now, in what seemed like smart trousers but with his shirtsleeves rolled up and his tie half undone. Unlike his wife he wasn’t dressed like a typical holiday maker and Alex feared the man now worked in the area.

He shuddered even more as the couple hugged and then kissed, brazenly, right in front of his window. He was worried that sudden movement might attract their attention or he’d have dashed into the back room pretty sharpish, and then froze as the two of them broke away from their energetic kissing and the man pointed at the sign above his shop. Alec couldn’t quite lip-read what he was saying to the woman, but he was turning to her and nudging her and then they both fell about laughing. The woman pointed as well and shook her head, wagging her finger at him as if pretending to tell him off. The man said something to her and she looked up at him, then he kissed her again with enthusiasm.

Alec felt weak with anger. How dare they mock his shop? What was so funny about it? His was a respectable business and they had no right to stand outside it behaving so repulsively and obscenely and then insulting his property like that. With a repressed howl of rage he hit the countertop again and then with great restraint slowly made his way into the back room, all the while seething inside. He must not let it disturb his peace of mind. He must not let the dark days return.

Pete stood at the kitchen sink, rubbing his chin with anxiety. Things weren’t quite going to plan. They’d moved into the new house at the beginning of March and it was now June, and yet the big contract still hadn’t been confirmed. He’d had further meetings and written more letters, but had come no closer to a start date as the mysterious person in charge at the council seemed to be away a lot. Pete knew he was being fobbed off with excuses but didn’t know why. What made it worse was that he couldn’t share it with anybody. Lily would do her nut if she found out the house was mortgaged to the hilt, but he had no intention of telling her. Mavis had no experience of this sort of thing and anyway it was his job to protect both her and Lily, not to burden them with his difficulties. If Tommy had been family maybe he could have sought his advice but the way things stood it was anybody’s guess when, or even if, he would ever get together with Mavis.

Pete knew Lily would be back any minute. She’d only popped to the shops to get some last-minute items for Mavis, who was cooking a big meal upstairs. Jenny and Stan had just got back from their holiday and were coming round to tell them all their news and to collect Greg, who’d been sharing James’s room while they were away. He and James were out the back now, playing football, while Grace and Bobby were upstairs with Mavis, probably getting under her feet while pretending to help. Pete realised he had to put a brave face on it and snap out of his bad mood; there was nothing to be done but wait it out. He had to believe that the project would still come off, and when it did his money worries would be over. If it didn’t he couldn’t quite bring himself to think of the consequences. It would spell disaster for all of them.

‘Thanks, Mavis, that was a lovely meal,’ said Stan, finally pushing his plate away.

‘That pie was a good as your mother’s,’ Pete said.

‘Yes, it was love,’ Lily agreed.

Mavis smiled happily. Dinner had been a success; everyone’s plates were clean and there wasn’t as much as a single pea left.

‘You’d love the coast in Devon, Mavis,’ said Jenny, her eyes shining at the memory. ‘All that fresh air and the sea breeze. It makes you come alive. I felt ten years younger, I really did.’

‘You certainly did,’ said Stan suggestively, nudging his wife.

Mavis gave a little frown. She could tell what they’d been up to for most of their long weekend but didn’t want James asking questions – he was far too quick on the uptake.

‘You’ll love it too, Greg,’ Jenny said enthusiastically. ‘We’ll take you with us next time you break up from school.’

Tommy, who’d been asked round as well, grinned and turned to his young cousin. ‘So did you miss your mum and dad, Greg?’

Greg shrugged. He knew he was meant to say yes but he hadn’t really. ‘Sort of,’ he said, ‘but I like it round here with James ’cos we can play football out in the back garden, and Aunty Mavis lets me have cake every day. If we’re going to the seaside, Mum, why can’t James come with us? Why don’t we all go?’

‘Funny you should say that, Greg,’ said Stan. ‘Your mother and I had the same idea. I always stay at the same Bed and Breakfast place when I’m down there and I get on with the landlady, Mrs Hawkins, like a house of fire. We actually thought it would be lovely for us all to have a holiday together, so I had a word with Mrs Hawkins …’

‘Hang on a minute.’ Mavis said, her voice was edged with worry. ‘I’m not sure I can manage—’

‘It won’t cost the earth,’ Stan butted in. ‘Mrs Hawkins can do us a special rate for a large booking, especially if you and Lily come too, Pete. She can hold us a week in August, but only if we confirm it pretty quickly.’

‘Really?’ Pete perked up. If Lily had something like this to look forward to she wouldn’t notice that he was worried, and though he had to watch their dwindling cash flow, it didn’t sound like it would cost them much.

‘Can we?’ James was almost jumping out of his seat.

Grace squealed excitedly, ‘My friend at school goes to the seaside every year and I want to go too.’

‘You should go Mavis,’ said Tommy seriously.

Stan turned on his dining chair. ‘Tommy – you’re included too of course,’ he said.

Tommy turned to look at her, a question in his eyes, but Mavis lowered her gaze. It would be nice if he came too, but they would have to book separate rooms. She had the children to think about, but she didn’t want to talk about sleeping arrangements while they were all gathered around the table.

Thankfully, her mother, as though sensing her dilemma came to her rescue as she said, ‘It sounds like a lovely idea, but Pete will need to check his work schedule to see if he can take a week off in August. Ain’t that right Pete?’

‘Err, yes, but I …’

‘Right then, Stan,’ Lily interrupted. ‘Can we get back to you tomorrow?’

‘Yes, that’s fine,’ Stan agreed.

Mavis was hardly listening. Yes, she and Tommy would have to have separate rooms, but a part of her was wishing it could be otherwise.

Chapter Thirteen

‘Rhona, you should have said something!’ Mavis looked at her friend and thought how much she’d changed – she’d lost weight, her skin was pale and her hair had lost its bounce. ‘I didn’t even know you were ill until my mum bumped into yours in Woolworths, or I’d have come round before. Let alone that you had glandular fever. You poor thing, you’ve been laid up for weeks.’

‘I didn’t want to bother you,’ said Rhona, shifting in her chair. She’d finally managed to get downstairs and was now able to sit in one of the old armchairs for half the day before going back to bed again. ‘Anyway I wasn’t up to seeing people for ages. I can’t tell you how tired this has made me feel, so I wasn’t really keen to have visitors.’

‘Am I tiring you now?’ Mavis asked anxiously.

‘No, no, I’m on the mend. About bloody time too.’ Rhona shook her head. ‘I wasn’t even bored before, I was so wiped out, but now I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m really fed up with being at home.’

‘I love being in the new flat and wouldn’t swap it for the world but now and again I like to get out, see people, even if it’s only down the market for half an hour. You need a change of scenery. How do you feel about going for a walk?’

Rhona looked dubious. ‘I haven’t left the house since Easter and I’m still weak. I don’t think I’m up to it.’

‘We could get a bus and that would give you a change of scenery. We could get off at the common. There’ll be lots of people out, you’ll enjoy it.’

Rhona cast her eyes down. It sounded so tempting. She could imagine what it would be like on the common, wandering along the paths that criss-crossed the open ground or sitting under the shade of a large tree. But it was no good. She tried to smile. ‘Look, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m strong enough yet. Another time, maybe.’

‘How about that small park then? It’s only a couple of streets away,’ Mavis persisted. ‘The fresh air would do you good, but if you feel a bit wobbly we can turn around and come back. You won’t know unless you give it a go.’

Rhona thought for a moment. ‘OK. Why not. I’ll lean on you and you can carry me back if you have to.’ She flashed a smile. ‘Just joking, Mave, it won’t come to that.’

‘I would if you needed me to. I’ve carried James often enough, and even Greg until pretty recently. I’m stronger than I look.’

Rhona gingerly stood up and tested her weak leg muscles. ‘Give me your arm,’ she said with determination. We’ll have a wander and see how we go.’

They set off, Rhona moving like someone four times her age, but she didn’t give up and realised she was enjoying herself as they slowly made their way to the little park, where she collapsed on a bench. It wasn’t a trip out on a bus, but that could wait. For now she could sit back and let the sunshine fall on her face. It was such a pleasure not to be inside the four walls of her small house. She sighed with relief. ‘Thanks, Mavis. I wouldn’t have made the effort without you urging me to give it a go.’

‘I used to come here when Grace was really little. She liked chasing the pigeons.’ Mavis smiled ruefully. ‘When she goes back to school in September, she’ll have a new teacher, one I’ve heard is quite strict, but that’ll be good for her. Grace loves school, which is more than I ever did.’

‘She hasn’t got word blindness like you, then?’

‘No, neither of them has. I don’t know if it’s passed on in families but I’m very glad they’re both all right. It made my life a misery all the way through school.’

‘Yeah, you said. Didn’t Tommy tease you?’

‘He did more than tease me, he was horrible back then. But he was egged on by his friend Larry. He was the worst, but he’s not around to bother me now.’ Mavis thought back to the news of the raids the police had carried out after Tommy had given them his information. There was no way Larry Barnet would dare come back to South London again. She wondered whether to tell Rhona about the attack, and that now and again she still felt nervous, but decided the younger woman had quite enough on her plate at the moment. She’d tell her once her friend was stronger.

‘And how’s Tommy these days?’

Mavis smiled. ‘Same as ever.’

‘Still waiting for you to give in?’

‘You’ve got a one-track mind, Rhona, but yes.’

‘The man’s a saint,’ said Rhona, ‘and anyone can see that he loves you to bits.’

Mavis watched a blackbird hopping along, looking for worms. She sat back against the bench. ‘I’ve got some news. You’ll never guess. We’re all going on holiday in August – Jenny, Stan and Greg, Mum, Pete and Bobby, me and the kids and Tommy. We’re going to Torquay, to a Bed and Breakfast that Stan knows. I’ve never had a proper holiday before and I can’t wait.’ She grinned broadly at the thought of it.

‘Wow, that sounds fab,’ breathed Rhona. ‘I’ve never been to the seaside. You’d better send me a card.’

‘The thing is,’ said Mavis, ‘I’ve found myself starting to wish that Tommy and I could share the same room.’

‘What!’ Rhona nearly fell off the bench. ‘That’s a turn-up for the books! You’ve always said you wouldn’t. What’s changed your mind?’

Mavis turned to face her. ‘I’ve finally realised I can trust Tommy. I mean, it wasn’t him, it was me who had the problem. After Alec I didn’t want anything to do with that side of things ever again. What you said helped – made me think not every man was like Alec. And now I know Tommy cares for me, really cares for me, I think I want to be with him, you know, all the way. I don’t want to spend the entire holiday thinking how gorgeous and loving he is and not be able to do anything about it. Does that sound bad?’

‘No, it sounds good,’ said Rhona at once, sounding more enthusiastic than she had done since falling ill. ‘About time too, I’d say.’

‘My family won’t mind, they all think he’s great.’ She paused. ‘There is one thing …’

Blimey, thought Rhona. She wondered what was coming next and if she was becoming the agony aunt of Peckham. She waited for Mavis to get up the courage to say what she wanted.