The Chrysalid Conspiracy (54 page)

“Don’t worry you two,” answered Sheila. “I’ve been there and I know how to draw the line. Come on, lazy bones. Try some weight on that leg then get your clothes off and climb up here. It looks as though I’m here for the duration, so you’d better get used to it. I’ve taken over poor Mrs Orugo’s job, with special instructions to take good care of you, Lucy and Rayn. So get used to it, there’s a lot more where this is coming from.”

Bridie made as if to leave but Amelia apprehended her. “It’s okay Bridie; I’m over all that now. And anyway, if you walk off with my coffee I’ll bring you down like a hunted stag.”

Sheila set to work on what she called the ‘Perfect Body’, the pressures and manipulations on and around Amelia’s bruised body forcing strong sounds of protests.

“You think you’re going to do that to Rayn?” asked Bridie.

“Yeah, why not?” replied Sheila.

“Well,” said Bridie. “If you can get her to lie still for that length of time, I hope you can handle the profanity she seems to specialise in.” she laughed.

“I guarantee it’ll only happen the first time, Bridie,” said Amelia, sitting up. “I feel fantastic. Thanks you Sheila that was great. Is Rayn back yet?”

“She said she was going straight over to see Sambo after her run. He was pretty cut up about George and she wanted to make sure he was okay,” said Bridie.

“Damn,” said Amelia quietly. “I should have thought of that. Still, how am I, do you think I’m fit for duty?” she asked Sheila.

“I’ll say,” she confirmed. “Your recovery rate is very impressive. The bruising has gone and your ankle seems fine. I’m still a little worried about that knee though. Take it easy tomorrow and start a little light training on Thursday. Just to be safe. I’ll go and sort your mother out now.”

The evening progressed well. Amelia’s mood improved with the news that she was on the mend. Bridie retreated to the kitchen to compose another masterpiece and Sheila gratefully accepted the invitation to stay for dinner.

Rayn came back with news of Sambo. “Poor guy,” she told them. “He was so upset about George that he was going to move on. Apparently, Lorraine turned up and laid into him. Gave him a good talking to. Offered him a job working with Nigel, with new accommodation where they could sort him out a workshop. But he said the clincher was when Nigel told him that if he stayed he could have the Harley. He said he didn’t need it anymore now he had something far more valuable. Isn’t he just the sweetest guy? Oh, and Sambo’s boyfriend moves in at the weekend. Lorraine told him to come out of his closet before the doors fall off.”

“We must invite them over for dinner sometime, and let them know we mean it,” said Lucy as the two girls and Sheila joined her and Bridie in the kitchen. Lucy’s massage and physio had left her looking fresh and relaxed.

“That should make an interesting evening,” responded Rayn. “Sambo and his boyfriend, and Lorraine and Joe’s daughter.”

“Joe’s daughter?” said Lucy.

“Oops,” answered Rayn. “Sorry, none of our business. It just slipped out.”

“Well, you can’t leave it there, girl. Come on, out with it.” Bridie had set the table and was serving up sweet and sour chicken with rice and woodland mix. She caught the tail end of the conversation.

Rayn gave everyone hysterics with her account of Lorraine’s discovery that she was having dinner with her girlfriend’s father.

“Joe seemed a bit sceptical about us at dinner. He seemed very reserved,” remarked Lucy, after a while.

“That’s because he hasn’t had a chat with Dr Barrenborn, A.K.A. Dr Smith,” said Sheila, winking at Amelia. “I swear that woman is from a different planet. She can blow your mind apart then put it back together again in such a logical sequence you can’t help but believe her.” She paused for a moment, taking a mouthful of food. “Crikey Bridie, this is so good. If I was batting for the other side I swear I’d ask you to marry me,” she concluded. “Mind you, I’d marry the Devil if he could cook like this.”

When the laughter subsided Amelia continued. “There is a reason why he was reluctant, Mum, but it’s up to him to come to terms with it.”

“Perhaps we can help?” said Bridie. “You never know. Your mum and I have had to solve a lot of problems over the years. Why don’t you try us?” Her voice was gentle and Amelia knew she wasn’t just looking for gossip.

Amelia relented and told them Joe’s story. His dislike of the burger bar, His urge to do something else with his life and his guilt from his medal and ‘Hero’ status from the Navy. And no, he wasn’t aware of his daughter’s sexual preferences.

Oh, that’s sad,” said Sheila. “Poor guy.”

“I agree,” said Lucy. “Guilt is a difficult thing to deal with.”

“No, not that. The other thing. When Lorraine and I got back last night we had a nightcap. She told me that Jemima and her brother hated the bar. It was a great idea when they were seventeen but ten years on it’s a different story. They only stick at it because they think it’s what their dad wants. They think it will break his heart to tell him they want to move on.”

“What do they want to do?” asked Rayn.

“Jim’s a county hang glider champion. He wants to go for the Nationals but needs to go full-time. I’m not sure what Jem wants. Something to do with sailing, I think. That’s her hobby, anyway.”

“Hey Rayn,” asked Amelia, “Why couldn’t you pick up Joe’s troubles on your Astral Flow thing that Maddy mentioned? What is Astral Flow anyway?”

“Oh, that? I’ve been meaning to tell you,” replied Rayn. “It’s a book Maddy wrote. Apparently we all go along with our emotions in some sort of balance. But when one gets over-dominant – you know, hate, greed, love, all that sort of thing – then it causes an imbalance and effects the way you think and behave. I can sense when I’m being lied to, or if someone is hiding something because I can apparently ‘read’ my astral flow. But remember, Joe’s had a lot of years to bury his emotions, and I’m not that good at it. Although just lately I’ve been picking up a lot of stuff I don’t understand.”

Amelia noticed Bridie looking at Lucy and they smiled. Her mother reached over, took Bridie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. She was tempted to scan for more information, but she didn’t have to. The trust had returned.

***

Amelia was up early and ready to ‘rock ’n roll’ the next morning. She was eager to put her life back on track and re-join the race. However, she was slapped down by Bridie, who told her off for running up and down the stairs instead of walking, and to stop leaping around like a demented gazelle.

“You can walk gently, but sit as much as you can. I hate to say this to a fifteen-year-old. But you’re not a child anymore, so stop behaving like one. Now, sit down while I get you some breakfast.”

Amelia sat in the kitchen eating her eggs and toast, suitably miffed. The rebellious child in her was thinking up a plan.
I’m going to make you pay for that,
she thought to herself, and asked Bridie to get her some more toast and a glass of milk.

“No,” snapped Bridie. “Don’t pull that one on me, I’m too old. Get it yourself, and make me a cup of coffee while you’re at it, please.”

Initially shocked, Amelia’s insides bubbled with laughter at being caught out so quickly, and reverted to her favourite ploy when faced with sticky situations. She changed the subject.

“Where’s Rayn this morning? I haven’t seen her yet.”

“She’ll be back soon. Molly came over and they went for a run,” Bridie answered.

Trying to swallow her envy as she made the coffee, Amelia was pleased that they had taken the initiative. She took tea in to her mother and sat with her for a while.

Amelia was acutely aware of the change in Lucy since her collapse. Although she looked and said she felt better since Sheila had arrived, Amelia had noticed that she’d stopped talking about the flower shop or the greenhouse. When she had peeked into the workshop, she could see that Lucy had done nothing with her beloved plants, including those in the greenhouse.

Although her attitude in company was one of enthusiasm and interest, a lethargy had crept in which was completely out of character. She no longer dashed around the shop giving instructions and advice. In fact, she spent a lot of time just staring out of the shop window into the street. It broke Amelia’s heart to see her sitting amongst the dead and dying plants and not even noticing their plight. Amelia’s concern was growing as the days passed with no significant change.

A tap on the door and Sheila’s cheery smile interrupted her thoughts. “Sorry I’m a bit late. Word spreads fast around here. I’ve had to do two already this morning. Maddy declined, but Alyson is a real coward, and boy did she scream! Lorraine enjoyed it though, once I’d explained that I don’t do ‘extras!” she laughed.

Not much later Amelia, Bridie and Sheila were talking in the kitchen. Lucy was in her room having a long animated phone call to Maddy when Rayn and Molly staggered in, looking suitably distressed after a long work out. Molly said she’d have a shower later and asked Bridie if she would give a hand clearing the shop.

“I thought you had another job now?” said Bridie.

“I have to talk to Lucy about that, but she’s busy at the moment. So let’s get on with it.”

“Sure, okay.” agreed Bridie. “I could do with some hard work. Antonio and I split up yesterday and it’s just beginning to sink in,” she confessed.

“Oh Mum, I’m so sorry. What happened?” implored her daughter.

“Oh, the usual,” she replied. “He seems to think my priorities are all wrong, that I should spend less time over here and more time being there when he needs me. I, on the other hand, am fed up with his attitude to his work. He doesn’t trust his staff so he won’t delegate and puts in too many hours. And when he is off, all he can talk about is his problems in the kitchens. Frankly, I was getting fed up anyway. It wouldn’t have lasted.”

Rayn gave her mother a big hug. “Never mind Mum,” she said. “You’ve still got me. All the pain without the pleasure.”

“Rayn,” said Bridie, with such intensity that it brought a tear to Amelia’s eyes. “You’re all I ever wanted.”

Molly cleared her throat. “Sorry to hear that, Bridie. Shall we start by getting that extra furniture out of the living room?” She wasn’t being intentionally insensitive. She was just being Molly, focusing on the amount of work there was to do.

Sheila turned to Rayn and looked at her for a few moments. “Rayn, come here a moment, will you?” It was one of those statements somewhere between an order and a request, much like Nigel used in the gym. It had that compelling professional quality and Rayn did as she was told.

Sheila stood in front of her raising her hand and cupping Rayn’s left cheek she looked into her eyes and said, “As soon as those two have finished in there, I want you up on that table,” she said, much to Rayn’s annoyance.

“Oh, no you don’t,” she objected. “I’m not letting you or anybody else torture me.” She was adamant, and the fire was in her eyes.

“Rayn,” said Sheila, sharply. “You have a pain in the small of your back, on the left side. I have to fix it now. If you leave it, it could affect you for the rest of your life. No arguments. I want you on that table.” Her statement and her manner reminded Amelia of Mrs Orugo. Absolutely no room for argument or resistance. Rayn crumbled before the onslaught.

“How on earth did you know that?” she asked.

“Because I can feel it! As soon as I touch someone I can tell exactly where the pain is, how bad it is and what’s wrong. Okay? That’s my secret. It’s why I’m so good at it. Now, I’m under special instructions to take care of Lucy, you and Amelia, and I’m damned well going to whether you like it or not.”

Rayn submitted reluctantly. However, she refused to utter a sound or make any comment while Sheila worked on her back, and Sheila had to constantly ask her to relax. When she’d finished, Rayn stalked off to the shower in a sulk.

“That’s a great kid, another perfect body.” said Sheila, when she had left, “but I feel sorry for any of her future boyfriends. She has a complex about her body. I’ve seen it before.”

“How do you mean?” said Amelia, totally shocked at Sheila’s remarks. “She has no hang ups about her body at all. She has no problem running around naked in front of me.”

“That’s because she knows you can appreciate that gorgeous animal beauty without being a threat,” replied Sheila, confident with her diagnosis.

“What threat?” Amelia was confused. “She’s definitely not gay, nor am I come to that. And we both know it.”

“I don’t mean that sort of threat,” said Sheila. “Let me explain. Rayn loves being what she is; – young, beautiful, fit, and athletic. She’s proud of her body. It’s hers and she’s in charge of it. Unfortunately, when it comes to men, they like to be in charge in the bedroom. Could you imagine a girl like that accepting passive invasion? That’s when her problem will manifest itself, poor kid. But hey, I’m no sex therapist. I expect she’ll work it out. She’s no fool, that’s for sure.”

A fleeting image of Mykl’s face came to Amelia and she decided not to file any of this information away for future use.

The morning moved on at an industrious pace, with Lucy supervising the clearing of the shop. Amelia was a little disconcerted when Lucy dumped everything, but was stunned when she had Molly and Bridie clear out her workshop. Amelia said nothing, but went into the greenhouse and started watering the plants. She didn’t know what kind of statement she was making, but she had to do something, and it was all she could think of.

They had moved the surplus furniture into the old tap room for safe keeping. Nigel had said to keep it for next time they needed it, he didn’t think George would want it back.

A depressing pile of dead and dying plants, shrubs and trees mounted up beside the gym. It was when Lucy told them to throw out the pots, including the ceramics, that Amelia began to realise there was something seriously wrong.

Still she said nothing knowing it would cause a row, but she was glad that at least her mother was up and in charge again. She would tackle her later.

Rayn sat in the kitchen, sulking. She was furious at her treatment and, although she grudgingly admitted that the ‘slight twinge’ in her back was gone, she refused to accept that she felt any better, and was angry that she did. The final straw had been when Shelia told her not to exercise for a few days, and that she would monitor her progress before she could start again.