Life Or Something Like It (12 page)

‘Oh, right,’ said Cat peering into the living room and noticing a tea party set up on the floor. ‘Well I don’t want to intrude.’

‘Come and have some tea,’ said Ellie.

Cat looked at her niece and saw something imploring in her eyes. This was new. ‘All right,’ she heard herself say. She let the small girls lead her into the living room and took a seat on the sofa.

‘No, you have to come and sit on the blanket,’ said Daisy sternly.

Cat glanced at Finn. ‘I’m game if you are.’ He grinned.

Of course you are
, thought Cat irritably. She would never have come if she’d thought that this was how her afternoon was going to pan out.

‘Tea?’ asked Ellie.

‘Yes please,’ said Cat. Ellie poured some liquid from the teapot into a tiny china cup and handed it to Cat.

‘What do you say?’ demanded Ellie.

‘Thank you,’ said Cat, trying to ignore Finn’s idiotic grin.

Ellie nodded and did the same for everyone else. She picked up her own cup and saucer, her pinkie raised delicately in the air. ‘And now we drink,’ she commanded.

Cat watched as Finn took a sip and did the same. She winced as she tasted orange squash that had been diluted with the merest dribble of water. ‘Delicious,’ croaked Cat.

Ellie seemed satisfied and picked up a plate. ‘Biscuit?’ she asked and then leant over to whisper. ‘But don’t eat them because they’re made of plasticine.’

Cat was grateful for the heads-up. She took one and pretended to eat it. ‘Nom, nom, nom – lovely!’ she declared.

Ellie beamed with pleasure. Cat noticed that Finn was watching her with a smile –
judgemental so and so.
‘Now, girls, why don’t you go out into the garden for a bit and I’ll make Cat a real cup of tea.’ The girls leapt up and ran happily towards the back door.

Finn turned to Cat. ‘You’re a natural at parties,’ he said.

She stared at him assuming that this was another jibe. ‘Is that a dig about the world I come from?’ she asked defensively.

He sighed. ‘No, it was actually meant as a compliment.’

‘Oh.’

He turned to her, his face serious for once. ‘Look, Cat, I think we might have got off on the wrong foot.’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘Oh I think you do. You think I’m a know-it-all because I’m good at dealing with kids and you think I’ve got a downer on the world you come from.’

‘Haven’t you then?’

Finn held up his hands. ‘Only as much as you’ve got a downer on my world.’

‘That’s not true.’

‘Listen, we’re quite different people but I’m here to tell you that I think you’re doing a good job with the kids. It’s not easy.’

‘Thank you, Supernanny.’

Finn frowned. ‘Jeez, you can’t take a compliment, can you?’

‘Not when it’s delivered with a healthy dose of patronising condescension.’

‘Fine. Pardon me for trying to give you a bit of encouragement.’

Cat turned to face him. ‘I don’t need life tips from Peter flipping Pan,’ she snapped. ‘I mean, what is your problem? Can’t you relate to adults or something?’

‘Well I admit, I’m having problems at the moment,’ said Finn staring into her eyes.

Cat could tell that he was doing his best to suppress a smile and it infuriated her even more. ‘And what’s so bloody funny all the time? Can’t you take life seriously for once?’

‘Can’t you find life funny for once?’ he retorted.

Cat scowled at him. ‘You’ve got an answer for everything, haven’t you?’

‘And you haven’t?’

They heard the front door slam following by Charlie storming upstairs. ‘And stay in your room until I tell you!’ shouted Andrew. Moments later he appeared in the doorway to the living room and seemed surprised and then amused to see Cat and Finn sitting cross-legged on the floor. ‘Having a nice time?’ he teased.

Embarrassed, Cat leapt to her feet. ‘Is Charlie okay?’ she asked, changing the subject.

Andrew sighed. ‘Let’s just say that the father-son bonding didn’t go quite to plan,’ he said, reaching over to kiss her. ‘Anyway, this is nice surprise. I didn’t expect to see you on your day off. Everything okay?’ he added, glancing at Finn and then back at his sister.

Cat held his gaze. ‘Everything’s fine,’ she lied. ‘I was just passing so – ’

Andrew leant forwards and murmured, ‘You are allowed to come and see your family without an excuse, you know, and I’m glad you did.’

Cat knew that if she stayed she might cry so she took a deep breath and said, ‘Look I should be going. I’ve got a busy day tomorrow looking after these really annoying children.’

As she walked into the hall, she was almost bowled over by Ellie, dashing in from the back garden. ‘Oh are you going?’

‘I have to,’ lied Cat. ‘But I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Oh goody because me and Daisy want to go to the park again. Not the usual park – the big one with all the cool stuff.’

Cat’s heart sank. Another day with Daisy meant another day with Finn and she couldn’t bear the thought of it. ‘Actually I was thinking that we might go somewhere, just the three of us,’ said Cat, wracking her brains.

‘Where?’ asked Ellie.

‘The cinema?’

Ellie thought for a moment. ‘Can Daisy come?’

‘I think you might be fighting a losing battle,’ murmured Andrew.

Cat glanced at Finn who was staring at the ceiling. ‘Fine. The park it is then.’

She made her way to the door without a backward glance. Andrew walked her to her car. ‘Are you sure you’re okay, sis?’

She smiled brightly at him and climbed into the car. ‘Of course. I’m always okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

He nodded. ‘And Cat?’

She looked up at him. ‘Mmhmm?’

‘Give Finn a chance. He’s actually one of the good guys.’

Cat fixed him with a look. ‘I will look after your children but I cannot promise anything beyond that.’

He smiled and tapped the roof of her car. ‘See you tomorrow, Nanny McPhee.’

Chapter Eight

Monday morning did not start well. This was new for Cat. She was one of those people who had never been bothered by Mondays; she had always thought the Monday thing was a state of mind put about by people who hated their jobs. Cat’s job was the main reason she got out of bed in the morning so it had never been an issue.

On this particular Monday though, she slept through her alarm. This was also new. She had gone to bed at the usual time but lay awake for hours and when she did sleep, it was a fitful, troubled sleep. She dreamt that she had lost her job for good and Donald Carter had come to tell her, except that instead of Donald it had been Finn and he had found the whole thing incredibly amusing. In the dream Cat had tried to run away but was pursued by Charlie and Ellie, who were riding a unicorn. They were calling, ‘You will have to look after us for evahhhhh!’ She had woken up sweating, her heart pounding. It was some time after three before she drifted off again and when the alarm sounded she had turned over, switched it off and fallen back into a gentle slumber. She was woken again by the sound of her phone buzzing with a call. As soon as she noticed who it was and the time, she shot out of bed, answering in a panic.

‘Shit, Andrew, I don’t know what happened. I must have missed the alarm!’

Andrew could barely conceal his stress. ‘Okay. How quickly can you get here?’

Forty minutes later, Cat arrived with hair unbrushed, an unpleasantly furry sensation in her mouth due to swiftly brushed teeth and no make-up.

‘You look sick,’ sniffed Ellie as Cat walked through the door.

‘Good morning to you too,’ said Cat.

‘Got to run. Late for a meeting. See you later,’ cried Andrew dashing out of the door.

‘Okay. Sorry. I’ll cook dinner tonight to make up for it,’ she shouted after him. He replied with a hurried wave before running off towards the station. Cat glanced at her appearance in the hall mirror and reeled in shock. For a woman who took great pride in flawless timing and sharp dressing, this was bad. This was very bad.

‘Do you think Mummy would mind if I borrowed some of her make-up?’ asked Cat.

Ellie shrugged. ‘Will you do mine for me?’

‘Deal. Where’s Charlie?’

‘In his room. He had another meltdown last night. And this morning,’ reported Ellie.

‘Oh right.’

‘And then I cried because Daddy shouted. It’s been very stressful all because
you
were late,’ said Ellie, pointing the finger of blame.

Cat couldn’t believe she was being told off by a six-year-old. ‘I’m sorry,’ she found herself saying.

‘Say it like you meant it.’

Cat almost laughed as she knelt down in front of Ellie. ‘I’m very sorry and you are very bossy.’

‘Thanks.’ Ellie grinned and danced up the stairs.

Charlie’s door was shut and Cat didn’t feel the inclination to disturb him any earlier than necessary. She followed Ellie into her parents’ room. It felt strange being in here, as if Cat were prying on her brother’s marriage. She spotted the hallmarks of a man left to his own devices for too long. The dirty laundry was reaching window height on the floor; the bed was unmade with the duvet strewn to one side. Empty mugs and glasses were dotted on every available space and the room bore the smell of unkempt man. Cat drew the curtains and opened a window. She sat down in front of Melissa’s dressing table and quickly found her make-up. She applied some foundation and blusher, starting to feel human again.

Ellie plonked herself down next to her aunt. ‘You’re actually quite pretty,’ she observed, studying her face in the mirror.

‘Thank you.’

‘Am I pretty?’ asked Ellie, turning to appraise her own reflection.

‘Of course,’ answered Cat without hesitation. ‘You’re part of the Nightingale family and they’re all stunners.’

‘I see,’ said Ellie, her face serious. ‘Can you do mine now, please?’

Cat turned to her niece and gave her a light dusting of powder and blusher. She picked up a lipstick. ‘Now purse your lips like you’re going to kiss someone.’ Ellie did as she was told. ‘There. All done.’

Ellie turned to look at herself in the mirror. She seemed satisfied. ‘Thank you,’ she said.

‘You’re welcome,’ said Cat. She stood up and looked over at the unmade bed. ‘Isn’t your daddy messy? Shall we make his bed for him?’

‘Okay,’ agreed Ellie. They approached the bed, grabbed the duvet and gave it a good shake. Ellie laughed and Cat grinned, feeling an odd satisfaction as she shared this task with her niece. As Cat smoothed the covers and plumped up the pillows, she glanced at her brother’s bedside table. In amongst the empty cups and discarded paperbacks was a photograph. It was tiny but Cat recognised it immediately. It was like being shot through the heart seeing this picture after so many years. Cat had an identical one tucked away in her purse. She didn’t want Ellie to see her looking but it was too late.

‘That’s your mum and dad, isn’t it?’

‘It is,’ said Cat quietly.

‘And they died, didn’t they?’

‘They did, yes.’ Ellie was about to open her mouth with more questions but Cat didn’t want to hear them. ‘Isn’t it time we went to the park to meet Daisy?’ she asked.

Ellie was immediately distracted. ‘Oh yay park!’ she cried. ‘I’m bringing my swimming costume because there’s water stuff to play in.’

‘Okay,’ said Cat. She left the room, glancing back briefly at the picture again. It was a colour photograph of her parents at a friend’s wedding; her mother was laughing at something her father had said, her face tilted towards him, and they looked so happy and alive. The sight of it tore at Cat’s heart so that she had to stand on the landing and take a moment before she tapped on Charlie’s door. There was no answer. She opened the door. He was hunched over his desk drawing, his earphones clamped firmly around his head. She walked alongside him and waved a hand in front of his face. He scowled up at her but did remove the earphones.

‘What?’ he said.

Cat could see that Charlie’s mood had surrounded him like a dense fog. It was unlikely that she would be able to break through, given their past history. She decided that a firm approach was needed. ‘We’re going to the park in ten minutes to meet Finn and Daisy.’

‘You can. I’m not,’ he said and went to pull his headphones back onto his ears.

Cat wasn’t in the mood for this today. ‘Do you think I want to go to some bloody water park?’ Charlie stared up at her in astonishment. ‘I mean, it’s not exactly my idea of fun, particularly having to spend the day with that know-it-all, Finn.’

‘You don’t like Finn?’ asked Charlie in surprise. Adults never admitted to not liking other adults.

‘He’s incredibly annoying and full of himself. Does that answer your question?’

‘Er, I guess.’

‘So fine, we can stay here if you like and you can tell Ellie we’re not going. I can spend the day on Twitter and you can carry on doing whatever it is you’re doing. It’s all the same to me. Just let me know what you decide.’ Cat plonked herself down on Charlie’s bed, folded her arms and stared at him.

Charlie looked astounded. He was used to being told what to do, not having to make the decisions.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the park. If the last park they’d visited had been Cat’s idea of torture, then this particular place was her own special hell. All she could hear was screaming; some people may have defined it as happy screaming but for Cat there was no such thing. There was a huge play area filled with all manner of slides, swings and climbing frames and to one side there was something called a ‘splash park’. It was to this area that Ellie made a beeline and promptly stripped down to her fifties film star type swimming costume with pink bow accessories. Cat found a bench in the shade and sat down. Charlie plonked himself alongside her, arms folded, looking miserable.

‘Why don’t you go and play?’ she asked.

‘Don’t feel like it,’ came the monosyllabic response.

Cat glanced at her watch. She was pleased to see that her time-keeping prowess had been restored. It was a little after eleven, which was the time Andrew had arranged with Finn. Predictably he was late and Cat was delighted. She didn’t want to make small talk with him any longer than was strictly necessary. Ellie seemed happy enough, splashing about in the shallow waters and experimenting with the various sprays and fountains that dotted its path. Thankfully, she was far enough away so that Cat wasn’t in the firing line. Cat took out her phone and started to look at Twitter. In the excitement of that morning she realised that she hadn’t caught up with the day’s news.