The Corrigan legacy (9 page)

Only - Cal had been as affected by the kiss as she had. And as surprised.

She smiled again at the thought of Des seeing a photo of a man he didn't know kissing her. Let him work that one out if he could!

When Cal came in again, she was still smiling.

'Something nice happen?'

'What? Oh. No, not really. I was just wondering what Des would make of that kiss and you.'

'Who cares? I doubt I'll ever meet him. Now, about that shed of yours . . . could I rent it for a holiday home?'

She goggled at him. 'You can't mean that?'

'I do. I used to stay there every now and then, and paid your aunt for it by doing little jobs around the place, because I'm not a rich man like your husband—'

'Ex-husband.'

'Sorry - ex-husband. But I gather you're short of money so I could pay you a small retainer, say ten pounds a week and something towards the electricity.'

'But the place is a hovel.' She saw his eyes stray towards the window and the moors.

'It keeps the rain off and there's an old toilet out there as well, which is still in working order, so you don't need to worry that I'll intrude on you. It's just ... I love to get out of London and up on the tops. I get my best ideas up there. When your leg's stronger, I'll show you some great walks if you like and—' He broke off and smiled wryly. 'Sorry. I'm rushing things, aren't I? But you feel it too, didn't you, the attraction between us?'

She nodded.

'I'd like to see you again. You seem like an old friend already. Your aunt was the same, a very warm person, easy to talk to.'

Judith was won over by his simple honesty. You couldn't doubt that he meant what he said with an open face like that. She held out one hand. 'It's a deal. But I couldn't accept money.'

'Then I'll do jobs for you, if you like. I'm fairly handy.'

'Will you have time? Don't you have your living to earn?'

'I work for myself. I'm a web developer. So I come and go as I please.' He sighed. I was going to bring Lily up here to walk the tops now she's big enough - only I'm not even sure now that I'll be able to have her at weekends any longer.'

Judith watched his smile vanish and the strain come back into his face, and spoke without thinking. 'If you bring her up here, you can both sleep in the house. There are several spare bedrooms.'

'Thanks. I might take you up on that if they let me. You'll like her. She's a great kid.'

In New South Wales, the long dry summer has burned the grass to a crisp beige and even autumn has brought no relief. Gardens are patchily green, favourite plants gifted with buckets of water, others left to struggle alone.

The day started badly, with yet another phone call from Joe, which Kate refused to take. Things got worse when her father brought the mail home from town at lunch time and slammed two envelopes down on the kitchen table in front of her. He stabbed a finger at the top one. 'What's she doing writing to you?'

She stared at him in shock then picked up the envelope. Its expensive linen weave paper was crumpled as if it'd been screwed up and then straightened out again. She turned it over and saw the sender's name and address, sucking in her breath in shock.

Maeve Corrigan

Saltern House

Witherford

Cheshire

England

'I don't know.'

Her father leaned his hands on the table, towering over her threateningly. 'You'd better open it. I want to know what she's up to.'

'Leo!' her mother chided. 'Kate isn't a child and her letters are her own business.'

'She's living under my roof and I want to know how long she's been corresponding with my - damned - sister.'

Kate fingered the letter. 'Why do you hate her so? You've never told us why, just expect us to hate her because you say so. You didn't even tell us we had an aunt till I found those letters in the attic'

'I hate her because of what she did, sent me away from Saltern House and because - ' his voice broke and he had to fight for control - 'there hasn't been a day since I left that I haven't wished myself back there.'

Jean gasped. 'You never said, Leo. All these years and you never once told me you felt like that about your old home.'

He turned to her, his face softening a little. 'What was the point in worrying you, Jean? Would it have taken me back again?'

'We could have started up a business in England, as we did here. You'd maybe have been happier if we'd stayed. It was you who insisted on coming to Australia.'

'The only place in England that could be home to me is Saltern House itself. It didn't matter to Des where he lived, but it did to me. I was the eldest - I should have had the house, at least - but she wouldn't even allow me that! And she was right about one thing: I didn't have the money to look after it, but I still loved it.' His words choked in his throat and he turned to Kate. 'If you care about me, you'll throw that letter away unopened and forget about Maeve.' He shoved his chair back so hard it fell over. As he strode out into the garden, he averted his head from them, but not before they had both seen the tears glistening on his cheeks.

Jean stared at Kate pleadingly.

All she could say was, 'I have to see what she says, Mum, and it's not fair to ask me to do otherwise.'

'Then you'll break your father's heart.' Jean followed him outside without a word.

Kate turned the envelope over, then over again, smoothing out the creases as if they mattered. She was annoyed at her father's assumption that he had control over her correspondence and guessed he'd screwed this up to throw it away, then thought better of it.

She could hear them talking as she walked along the corridor, her father's voice still sharp and angry, her mother's soothing. What was her aunt writing to her about? She'd never met the woman, for heaven's sake. And yet her father was right about one thing: Maeve had already stirred up dissension in the family.

Finding her paper knife, Kate slit the envelope neatly, pulling out a single sheet of paper.

Dear Kate,

I know that your father and I haven't spoken for years, but I hope you'll give me a chance and hear me out.

I'm having a little trouble with my health and I'm thinking of making my will. As I have no children of my own, I'm interested in meeting my nieces and nephews, with a view to one or more of them benefiting. I can't come to see you, so perhaps you could come to see me in England?

All your expenses will be paid for the trip and visit. And while you're here, we'll see if there's a specialist who can do something about your chronic fatigue syndrome, only we call it ME in England.

Since you're not well, I've asked a colleague of mine, who's been doing a job in Sydney, to escort you. His name is Mark Felton and he'll phone you in a week's time, so that you can think about my offer and deal with your father's reactions.

Sincerely yours Maeve

Kate gaped at it, re-read it, then shook her head. This sort of thing happened in novels, not in real life.

Go to England! All expenses paid!

She'd always wanted to go there, but had been too busy building a career for herself. Only how would she cope with the trip in her present condition?

And how much money was Maeve talking about? Was she really dying? Or did she want her nieces and nephews to dance to her bidding in the hope of inheriting?

Remembering the other letter, Kate picked it up. Her heart sank when she saw it was from the Social Security office in nearby Berrabin. She opened it reluctantly, because letters from them never contained good news. She was right. Her case was up for a three-monthly review and an appointment had been made for her for the following week. No question of whether the date was convenient for her. It was an order to attend, however politely phrased.

Tears slipped down her cheeks at the mere thought of it. When she'd applied for sickness benefit, they'd treated her like a malingerer, reducing her to tears because she cried easily these days. She'd been dreading the review. Angry at herself for this weakness she snatched a tissue, wiped her eyes and blew her nose hard, then went back to the letter from her aunt, studying it again.

When she was more in control of herself she took it back into the kitchen where her parents were eating their lunch in a heavy silence. She'd made her point about her correspondence being her own business, now she wanted to see what they thought of this offer, because she was tempted, very tempted . . .

She held the letter out to her father. 'Read it and tell me what you think.'

He held it as if it was contaminated, scanning it quickly. 'What the hell does she think she's doing? You don't need her money. We can look after you.'

Her mother took it from him, read it then looked at Leo.

Tears were thickening Kate's throat and she swallowed hard. She wasn't going to let her father bully her about this. 'You can look after me, yes, and I'm deeply grateful for all you've done. Deeply. But I'm still lacking two important things, neither of which you can give me - and perhaps my aunt Maeve can.'

'Oh?'

'My health and with it my independence.'

He breathed in slowly, then let the air out again accompanied by a growling sound in his throat. 'You won't be independent if you're dancing to her tune. There'll be some trickery involved. Nothing is ever simple with Maeve. And how did she know where you were, or that you'd been ill? Tell me that, eh? She must have had us investigated.'

'I wonder if Jason has had a letter too.' Her mother looked from one to the other. 'I'll phone him tonight and ask him.'

'I'll ask him when I get back to the shop,' Leo said. He pushed his plate away. 'I'm not hungry. I might as well go back to work.'

When he'd driven off, Jean looked at her daughter. 'Surely you'll not go to England, love?'

'I don't know. It's tempting.'

'It'll upset your father more than you'd believe.'

'I know. But. . . Well, I'll have to think about it.' She knew suddenly that she wanted to go, would do anything that would get her away from here and out of her present miserable state. She was going quietly mad in Callabine.

Her mother stood up. 'I've arranged to see Noelene about the fete. If you're too tired to clear up, leave it till I get back.' She left without another word.

As Kate began to clear the table, tears welled in her eyes, because she knew she'd hurt both her parents. But even as she wiped them away, she knew she would go, whatever they said. This offer might give her back her life again. If Maeve was rich, if she could get Kate the best help available . . . surely a specialist who really understood her problem would be able to help her? You had to lose your independence to realize how much it mattered.

'Jason's coming round this evening at eight o'clock,' Leo said as the three of them sat down to their evening meal.

'Did he get a letter too?' Kate asked.

'Yes. Nearly the same as yours, apparently, except she offered to pay for his wife and children to go to England as well.'

Kate picked at her food, not feeling at all hungry. There was going to be an almighty row when they found out she intended to accept her aunt's offer of a trip to England.

'You're not eating enough to feed a sparrow,' Jean complained as she watched her daughter push the food aside. 'How do you expect to get better if you don't eat?'

Kate fiddled with her dessert spoon. I'm not even sure I will get better properly. According to the research, some people never recover.'

'Of course you'll get better,' Leo said harshly. 'You're already better than you were when we brought you home. Give it another year and you'll be back to your old self.'

She smiled at him, knowing his brusque ways hid a genuine concern for her. 'Just a small piece of apple pie, Mum.'

When Jason and his wife arrived, they were sitting in front of the television watching a quiz programme and studiously avoiding the topic of Maeve's offer.

He passed round his letter.

'Well?' Leo asked, giving it back.

'I'm not going. It's tempting to hope she'd leave me some money, but on the other hand there's no guarantee. Anyway, our second store is doing well and I enjoy running it. I don't need her money.'

It seemed to Kate that her sister-in-law didn't agree with this decision, but she said nothing, just sighed.

'Good lad!' Leo said.

They all turned expectantly to Kate.

'I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt you, but I'm going to accept the offer.'

Her father glared at her. 'After all we've done for you!'

'Leo!' Jean laid a hand on his arm and he shook it off.

Kate tried to explain, but knew her words wouldn't take away the sting of what she was going to do. 'I badly need a change. Whether my aunt leaves me anything or not, I'll get a trip to England and maybe that will help me shake off this . . .' Words failed her and she waved one hand, then found to her dismay that she was crying. Again.

Her mother was there instantly. 'Come to bed, Kate, you're white as a sheet tonight.'

And she went, glad to be cosseted a little. 'I don't want to hurt Dad - or you, Mum. But I want to meet her, see what she's offering, and see if someone there can help me get better. That is the main reason I'm going.'

'We'd have paid for a holiday for you.'

'She's rich. She'll not miss the money. You're not rich. You should be saving for your old age - and you shouldn't have to help a daughter my age.' And the tears that had come so easily ever since she became ill started falling again.

When her mother put her arms round her and rocked her, making shushing noises, she laughed through her tears. 'You'd think I was still a child.'

'You always will be to me.'

Jean walked back to the living room, shaking her head in response to Leo's unspoken question. 'It's her decision. Let her make it in peace.'

'But—'

'It's not her quarrel, Leo. And she's very depressed, whatever she says. I think a trip might be just the thing for her.'

'Then we'll pay for it!'

'She wouldn't take it from us. Now, let the subject drop.

How are the children, Jason love?'

* * *

Lily walked slowly down to the sitting room where her mother was waiting for her. She could guess what this was about and felt shaky inside as she stopped just inside the door to stare across the room.

'You can't stand there all day. Come and sit down beside me.' Kerry patted the couch.

Lily walked across to a chair instead and sat down opposite her mother, hands clasped, waiting.

'Can't you make yourself look a bit tidier? Wayne's coming round soon.'

'He won't care what I look like.'

'But I will.'

'You're too fussy about appearances. Anyway, he won't be looking at me, he'll be staring at you. He always does.'

Kerry smoothed down her skirt. 'It's in a woman's interest to look her best. Keeps her man interested.'

Lily didn't point out that at twelve she was hardly interested in finding a man. Her mother was old-fashioned about that sort of thing, seemed lost without a man in her life and only dated ones who were rich and could treat her to the best of everything. Goodness only knew why she and Lily's father had ever married, because Dad didn't really care about money. He was more interested in people and computers, had interesting friends all round the world whom he met at conferences or on the Internet.

'Are you listening, Lily?'

'What? Oh, sorry, Mum. What did you say?'

'I said: Wayne and I will be getting married as soon as possible, then we'll all be moving to Texas, so we'll have to start looking at what we need to take with us.'

Lily took a deep breath. 'You and Wayne will be moving there. I won't.'

'You'll go where I tell you, young woman!'

'How will you get me there? Drag me screaming every inch of the way?' She had the satisfaction of seeing her mother gape at her for a moment or two, clearly lost as to how to deal with her.

'The courts will insist you go with me.'

'Even if I want to stay with my father?'

'Cal is not your father.'

'Who is, then? Maybe I should go and live with him.'

'That's my business.'

'It's mine too. I'll ask the court to find out who my real father is. I'm sure you know.'

'You'll not be appearing in any court. We'll settle this on our own, in a civilized way.'

'We might have to go to court and my friend says they ask children of my age what they want these days.'

Kerry stared at her. 'That's ridiculous. As if you know what's best for you.'

That's when Lily began to wonder whether her mother was just counting on her dad's vagueness about business matters to push things through in the way she wanted. Well, Lily would make sure he did things properly this time. It was too important. She realized her mother was still talking so reluctantly switched her mind back.

'. . . and anyway, your biological father won't want you, so that's a non-starter. He was married, had other children, wanted me to have an abortion and when I wouldn't, insisted your existence be kept quiet. He's never even tried to see you, not once.'

Lily dug her fingernails into the palms of her hand at this hurtful news. 'Well, I'm still not going to live in Texas. I'd never see Dad if I did. Besides, I'm English and I want to live in England.'

The doorbell rang. 'That'll be Wayne.' Kerry jumped up, glanced at herself in the mirror and went to answer the door.

Lily let out a long, careful breath. It was scary stuff, defying her mother, who didn't take kindly to being answered back or disobeyed, and would no doubt ground her for a million years, but she definitely wasn't going to Texas. She sighed as there was the sound of whispering in the hall.

When they came in, Wayne had his arm round her mother's shoulders and Kerry was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. He guided her to the couch as if she couldn't find her own way. Lily watched them in disgust. It was gross how her mother played helpless for him. She was one of the least helpless females you could ever meet.

He went straight into the attack. 'Kerry tells me you've got some strange idea about not coming to Texas with us.'

Lily used the tricks they'd taught her at school in human relations lessons on standing up for yourself firmly and with dignity. Who'd have thought those boring lessons would have come in useful? 'I have nothing against you, Wayne, and I hope you and my mother will be very happy together, but I want to stay in England and live with my father.'

'He's not your father, honey. You know that.'

'He is in every way that counts and I love him.'

'He doesn't love you now that he knows,' Kerry snapped. 'He's just doing this to annoy me.'

'That's a lie!'

'Don't speak to your mother like that!' Wayne snapped. 'Apologize to her at once.'

Lily looked at him and shivered, because suddenly he didn't seem half as friendly as before. But she wasn't going to be bullied, not by anyone, so she pressed her lips together. Why should she apologize? And how come her mother got away with telling so many lies and she got in trouble for telling the truth? It wasn't fair.

'Well?' He stared at her. 'I'm waiting.'

She stared right back. 'My mother's not telling the truth about my father so I've got nothing to apologize for.'

'The sooner we get her away from his influence, the better,' Kerry said, with a hint of a sob in her voice. 'He's always encouraged her to defy me.'

Lily gazed at her in shock. 'He's never done that and you know it!'

They ignored her.

'Once she's in Texas, she'll settle down, honey. I know a really good boarding school where she can make friends with people whose families matter, and we can arrange for her to get some counselling.'

So Lily said it again, broken record trick it was called, repeating your statement firmly and quietly as many times as it took. 'I'm not going to Texas.'

'You'll do what your mother tells you, young lady!' he shouted. 'And I'll be behind her one hundred per cent.'

Lily lost it then and yelled, 'You'll have to drag me forcibly on to the plane and I'll scream every inch of the way. They'll stop you taking me out of the country.'

He smiled and so did her mother. 'We'll be going on my own executive jet, not a public carrier. No one will question what state you're in when you're taken on board. If you need a sedative because you're afraid of flying, then so be it.'

Lily felt icy dread creep down her spine. Suddenly she could see the ruthless man behind the normally soft-spoken Texan and wondered if her mother realized what Wayne was really like. She knew then that she'd have to run away, but first she'd find out if she could get help from the children's court or whoever it was you had to see when your parents split up. People had to understand that Cal was her real father. There was a kid at school who'd been through a custody battle recently. She'd ask him to tell her exactly what happened, who to go and see.