| |
IT WAS A WILD AND WINDY Tuesday afternoon and Isabel was unpacking an order of Bach Flower Essences wondering how Rhodri was getting on. Her phone was in the pocket of her jeans and she pulled it out to check for any messages. There was nothing other than a series of Pocket Fox emojis and a short video clip of the kitchen back home in Maybush showing a puddle on the floor—she assumed it was courtesy of Prince Charles. The corgi was no longer just needy, it seemed he had selective incontinence. A short text blaming the telling off Jez’s mother Pauline had given him after the poo outside the wedding reception entrance followed. It had made him nervy, Babs said.
Gawd, her mum was in fine form today, she thought, scrolling down to the final picture. It was of her in her Asda uniform and the look of surprise that she’d managed to take her first selfie made Isabel laugh. She quickly sobered though. She’d thought Rhodri might’ve updated her when he’d collected Austin but nada.
The idea of him meeting up with the woman he’d once been engaged to at the London hotel where she and Austin had stayed last night stirred a gamut of emotions. The way she’d treated Rhodri was appalling, the way she appeared to be using him for her convenience now was, to Isabel’s mind, appalling but the fact she’d once come close to marrying the man she loved and was the mother of that man’s child terrified her. What if he decided it would be in Austin’s best interests for them to give things another go? She stomped on the thought before it could grow legs. She knew it was irrational and Rhodri would be appalled to know she’d ever think such a thing.
She hadn’t heard from Constance either. She was under strict instructions to telephone once she’d arrived safe and sound in Vancouver and by Isabel’s calculations, she should be there any time now.
The door to The Natural Way jingled, startling Isabel and, looking up from her task she saw, as if she’d conjured him by the power of thought, Rhodri. Her heart leapt at the sight of him. His hair was windblown, his cheeks reddened by the sea breeze, and the look on his face was one of pride. Isabel’s gaze travelled down to the little boy who was clutching his hand. She didn’t mean to stare but knew she was because he looked exactly like the photographs she’d seen of Rhodri as a small child. How must Rhodri have felt seeing Austin for the first time? Glimpsing his younger self in the little boy’s features? There was something so trusting about the way Austin was holding his hand too. It was as if he knew instinctively that this man would look after him now he’d been given the chance.
Rhodri’s other hand was wrapped around the handle of a wheelie-case upon which a car seat was precariously balanced. He had a small backpack slung over his shoulder. His grin was wide, and his eyes were shining. ‘Austin, this is Isabel. Isabel, Austin.’
Isabel put the box she had hold of down on the ground and then plastering her cheeriest smile in place she said, ‘Hello, Austin, I’ve been so excited to meet you. It’s lovely you’ve come to stay with us.’ She reminded herself of a children’s show entertainer, all faux jolliness and bonhomie.
‘Hullo,’ Austin said in a small voice, turning his body toward Rhodri as he looked up at her from under a fringe that was a tad too long. He tugged on his father’s hand and looked up at him. Rhodri leaned down to catch what he was saying. Whatever it was it made him smile and he said, ‘Yes, she does. I think it’s pretty.’
Austin looked at her again and Isabel, having twigged he’d said something along the lines of ‘she’s got pink hair’ could see the uncertainty in his eyes. She reminded herself what a big thing it was for him to travel to stay with his dad who he barely knew and his dad’s girlfriend whom he was meeting for the first time. He was only four and he’d been left with veritable strangers.
‘We came straight from the ferry,’ Rhodri explained. ‘It’s been a big day so I think we’ll head home now but we wanted to come here and say hi first, didn’t we, pal?’
Austin looked doubtful as to this having been the case.
‘Well, I hope you like your room, Austin.’ Isabel knew Rhodri was eager to show Austin their efforts and it did look lovely. They’d picked out a very cute duvet set called Apple Tree Farm. She’d fallen in love with the prancing horses decorating it and Rhodri had said all kids wanted to have a ride on a tractor. She couldn’t recall it being on her wish list when she was a child but she hadn’t said anything. They’d also bought him a rather plush teddy bear with a tartan hat and scarf; he was perched on the bed waiting to be given a name and cuddled. They’d picked up a nightlight in case he was frightened of the dark and then Isabel had panicked that they had no toys. They’d raced over to Newport and Rhodri’s wallet was considerably lighter when they left the toyshop there carting a whizz bang, Paw Patrol something or other, a Magformers car thingamajig, and a Cheeky Monkey board game. They all came highly recommended for four year olds, the woman behind the counter assured them.
As for food and the like, another cause of sudden panic on Isabel’s part—what did four year olds eat?—Rhodri had thought it best to take Austin with them to the supermarket so they could pick up things he was used to. In the meantime, they’d made sure to have spaghetti hoops, alphabet shaped pasta and a box of Shreddies cereal in. It would be Rhodri who’d be doing the cooking anyway, Isabel had told herself, so she didn’t need to worry. They’d none of them starve.
‘Okay, I’ll see you both in an hour or so.’ She attempted another winning smile in Austin’s direction but he was studying his shoes.
‘I thought I heard your voice. Hi, Rhodri.’ Delwyn appeared from where she’d been tidying the back store room. ‘And who’ve we got here then?’ She knew exactly who they had there because Isabel had been prattling on about Austin coming to stay for the best part of the morning.
‘Hi, Delwyn, this is my son, Austin. Austin, this is Delwyn.’ The poor kid was looking overwhelmed Isabel thought, as Delwyn went up and crouched down to shake his hand. ‘Hi there, Austin, it’s nice to meet you.’
He shook her hand back and gave her a shy smile. Isabel wished she’d thought to do that.
‘Did you enjoy the ferry ride? I hope it wasn’t too choppy with that wind.’
He nodded and lisped, ‘Yes, we sat at the top of the boat and it was very bumpy but it was fun.’
No wonder they looked like they’d braved a gale, Isabel thought.
‘And, Daddy bought me a cake and we got to meet the captain.’
Isabel stared. He was quite the chatterbox when he got started. It sounded so strange to hear this young boy referring to Rhodri as Daddy, and the look on Rhodri’s face made her want to cry. He was entranced by Austin and it was lovely to see.
‘We did a bridge visit,’ Rhodri explained.
‘Wowzers, you’re a lucky boy,’ Delwyn said, straightening up. She was clearly at ease with children and knew how to talk to them. Isabel felt an uncharacteristic stab of envy. ‘Isabel, why don’t you head off with these guys, it’s been quiet this afternoon. I can manage.’
But I’m not sure I can, Isabel thought. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive, go.’
‘That’d be brilliant, thanks, Delwyn.’ She put the last of the bottles of essences on the shelf and picking the box up carried it out the back to where her bag was. She tossed the holdall over her shoulder, hearing Delwyn ask if Austin went to nursery school. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, then,’ she said reappearing in time to see Austin nodding his head and making a note to self to ask him what he liked doing best at nursery school. Perhaps he enjoyed painting, it was in his blood after all. She could pick him up some children’s paints if he did. That would win her brownie points.
‘Enjoy yourselves.’ Delwyn grinned, watching the trio as they headed out the door.
Isabel was unsure what to do as they exited the shop onto the street. Should she offer to take Austin’s other hand or would that be too much too soon? She couldn’t bear the thought of him shaking her off so she took the car seat from Rhodri and walked alongside him. They strolled down the street at a pace suitable for pint-sized legs with the wheelie-case rolling along obediently behind them, all the while being buffeted by the breeze. People smiled at you more when you had a child with you, Isabel noticed, her mouth beginning to ache with reciprocating. Rhodri was in his element as he chatted on about the things they’d do while Austin was staying with them.
‘Here we are then, this is us.’ They came to a halt outside the gallery entrance and Rhodri pushed the door open. Austin followed behind him, his eyes wide at the new surroundings, Isabel saw, closing the door behind them.
Nico was eagerly waiting to be introduced to Austin and she too, seemed equally comfortable as she chatted to him about the ferry and then showed him his dad’s paintings. ‘He’s very clever. Do you like painting?’
Austin nodded.
‘Well then, I happen to have some paints I bought for my niece when she came to stay. They’ll be all dried up by the time she comes back for another holiday. Would you like me to bring them with me tomorrow?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘You and your daddy could do a spot of painting outside, take a picnic somewhere. The weather’s supposed to be lovely.’
Isabel was crestfallen, that had been her idea. Her way of winning over this boy who was now looking adoringly at Nico. Even Rhodri was joining in. ‘What a good idea. We could take a picnic down to Appley Folly and set you up with my easel. You could swim too if it’s warm enough. Would you like that?
Austin was nodding enthusiastically. Isabel wanted to tell them both he was four years old, he didn’t need to be set up with an easel. Finger painting would suffice, but she didn’t say anything, she just stood on the periphery surplus to requirements while they all stood about looking pleased with themselves.
‘I’ll pop the kettle on,’ she said, taking to the back stairs. Nobody replied.
Austin and Rhodri appeared a few minutes later. “I’ve poured you a glass of milk, Austin, and there’s some crackers and cheese there if you’d like it.’ She pointed to the dining table proud of the healthy afternoon tea she’d whipped up.
‘I’m not hungry,’ Austin said.
Isabel wasn’t sure if she was imagining the belligerent tone or not.
‘He did have a big piece of cake on the ferry,’ Rhodri explained, and Isabel nodded. ‘But I don’t mind if I do.’ He helped himself.
‘It’s fine. You’ll need to make room for your tea won’t you, Austin. Shall we take your case to your room?’ Again she was like the chirpy children’s presenter. She was liable to burst into the opening songs for Postman Pat or Bob the Builder if she wasn’t careful. She took his case by the handle deciding to be assertive as she trundled it behind her in the direction of the stairs. She carried it up, pausing to look back to see if he was following her.
Rhodri let go of Austin’s hand. ‘Off you go. There’s someone on your bed who’s been waiting for you to arrive.’
Austin hung back, clearly wanting his daddy to be the one to show him where he’d be sleeping.
Rhodri flashed Isabel a smile. ‘We’ll all go, shall we?’ He headed to the stairs, Austin shadowing him. Isabel carried on to the landing of the top floor where the bedrooms and bathroom were. She pointed out the bathroom once the other two had joined her. He would be toilet-trained, wouldn’t he? Most four year olds were, weren’t they? Who’d do his nightly bath or did he have showers? She told herself to calm down and then pointed out her and Rhodri’s room. ‘We’re right next door to you if you need us,’ she added brightly before opening the door to where he was going to be sleeping. ‘Here we are, Austin, this is your room.’ She flattened herself against the door to let him and Rhodri pass. The toys they’d purchased were in a basket in the corner and Austin hovered, torn between checking them out and picking up the teddy who was sitting on the bed.
He chose the teddy and bounced up and down on the bed in a way that would have had Babs Stark telling Isabel she’d break the thing if she wasn’t careful when she was small. He held the teddy tightly in his arms.
‘Shall we give him a name do you think?’ Rhodri asked.
‘Benny.’
‘Benny the Bear,’ Isabel chirped. ‘Perfect.’
‘No, just Benny. Benny’s my friend at nursery.’ Nursery sounded like nurswee and Austin was looking at her like she knew absolutely nothing about his life. Which of course, she didn’t.
‘Benny it is.’ Rhodri rubbed his hands together.
She wasn’t doing well, Isabel thought glumly, but she was nothing if not a trier. ‘How about I unpack your case?’
Austin stopped bouncing and shook his head. ‘I can do it.’
‘Here we are, pal,’ Rhodri unzipped it. ‘Why don’t we do it together.’
Once again Isabel found herself standing on the outside looking in.