‘Hello, everybody, my name is Robert Kilbride and, as Laurence said, I’m the principal architect on the latest Xanta development here in Glacken.’
Robert is standing on the stage beside Laurence. The older man has one arm draped round his shoulders and he’s beaming with pride.
How can he be right here, feet away from me? What horrible act of Fate has brought him to the one village in the entire country where I am?
Unless … Does he somehow know I’m here? Who could have told him? Claire? Dom? They wouldn’t have … would they? No, Claire is still on her mission to find herself in India and Dom is busy trying to bed as many Aussie women as possible. They wouldn’t have had time to organize this. Mum and Dad wouldn’t do it: even if they did think of Robert as the son they never had, they know we’ll never get back together.
What about Theresa? She thought I’d made a huge mistake when I broke up with him – she spent long enough telling me so. Would she have sent him here in some sort of deluded plot to get us back together? No, she couldn’t have. Even if she thinks I was a fool to leave Robert, she wouldn’t go this far, surely. Not unless the kids have finally sent her over the edge, of course. That is quite possible.
I close my eyes briefly, trying to figure it out. It’s so surreal. Could I be imagining the entire thing? Maybe this is a nightmare and when I open my eyes it will be over. I ease my eyes open again and my heart sinks. It’s not a nightmare. There he is, standing on the stage, smiling at the audience. He’s simply dropped into my new life, like an alien from outer space.
Suddenly the greater implications of it hit me. If Robert sees me I’m done for – all my lies will be uncovered and everyone will know the truth about me. Edward will know the truth about me. That I’m not who I said I am. That I’ve been pretending all this time. Worse, that everything I’ve told him is a lie. What am I going to do? My mind is racing with possibilities as I watch my ex-boyfriend stand smiling, almost within touching distance. Thank God the hall is in darkness – if it wasn’t he’d spot me almost immediately.
‘What a ride,’ Betty from the butcher’s breathes in my ear. ‘He’s even better close up!’
The light from the projector is illuminating Robert’s unmistakable features. He looks good, even I can see that. Tanned and healthier than I’ve seen him in years.
I try to concentrate on breathing and not passing out. Betty doesn’t seem to have noticed anything amiss so obviously, even though I’m silently hyperventilating, she can’t tell that my head is about to explode.
‘Robert, how lovely to meet you.’ Odette shakes his hand warmly. ‘And thank you for travelling all the way down here to speak to us this evening – I know you’re a very busy man.’
‘It’s no problem at all, my pleasure.’ Robert smiles indulgently. ‘Always happy to help.’
‘Robert is a genius,’ Laurence announces to the floor, and I hear Peg snort loudly, as if she doesn’t believe a word of it.
‘I wouldn’t say that, Laurence.’ Robert bashfully ducks the compliment.
‘Aw, now, credit where credit is due, Robert. You’ve done me proud on this, you sure have.’ He squeezes Robert’s shoulders. ‘He’s like family to me,’ he says to Odette.
‘Thank you, Laurence,’ Robert says, ‘and, more importantly, thank you, everyone, for giving me this opportunity to come here and talk to you tonight.’
‘If I’d known beforehand, I would have made sure to sit in the front row.’ Betty giggles and nudges me again.
‘I’m aware that some of you may have concerns about the supermarket …’ Robert starts.
‘That’s putting it mildly,’ someone yells from the floor.
‘… but hopefully, I’ll be able to dispel any fears you have about the development. That’s why I’m here tonight – I’m here to help.’ Robert spreads his hands wide and looks out at the audience, his eyes searching among the seats.
He sounds sincere – but then again, he’s good at this sort of thing so it’s hard to tell. Even I can’t say for sure if he genuinely means it or not and I know practically everything about him – what side of the bed he prefers to sleep on, how he likes his eggs, which football team he supports. How much he loves yellow jelly-babies …
I push the last bit from my mind. There’s no point in revisiting all that. The thing is, I’m familiar with almost every detail of his life – but I can’t tell for sure why he’s really here.
‘He can help me any day of the week.’ Betty digs me violently in the ribs and I gasp loudly. I see Robert frown and scan the audience to see where the noise came from and I drop my chin to my chest to make sure he doesn’t recognize me. Not that he would quite possibly – I’m not wearing a scrap of makeup, my hair is pulled back unflatteringly from my face and the sweater I have on is probably fit for the bin.
‘I haven’t seen a fine thing like that in a long time.’ Betty is almost salivating with unconcealed lust. ‘Well, except for Edward Kirwan – I’d give him a go too, if I had half a chance!’ She nudges me again but this time I bite my lip so I don’t make a sound. ‘I can’t see a ring, can you?’ she hisses.
‘He’s fair game so.’ She rubs her hands with glee. ‘It’s about time we had some fresh meat here – do you think he’ll come for a drink afterwards?’
‘I don’t know,’ I murmur. My head is spinning. I really need to get out of here.
‘So, Robert,’ Odette simpers on-stage, ‘can you tell us about the new clothing hall?’
‘I’d be happy to.’ Robert smiles at her and I slide down in my seat.
How can I escape without drawing attention to myself? Robert can’t see me now, because the lights are off, but when they’re switched on he’ll spot me for sure.
‘So, we were cognizant of the fact that the building had to sit comfortably in the landscape and we really feel we’ve achieved just that with this new design,’ Robert says.
An image of the reconfigured supermarket appears on the screen.
‘See here,’ Robert points to the drawing, ‘we’ve significantly reduced the size of this area, to rebalance the entire development.’
‘It looks great,’ Odette says.
‘It looks awful!’ someone calls. ‘Just as bad as it did before.’
I see Robert’s face twist faintly at this criticism of his work.
‘It’s not that bad,’ someone else yells.
‘What would you know?’ another retorts.
‘Order, everyone, please!’ Odette bangs her gavel on the table. ‘Are there any questions from the floor? Any practical questions?’
‘Has the construction contract been awarded yet?’ I hear Edward ask, and I shrink even further into my seat. Great! The man I love is speaking to the ex I abandoned. As the thought pops into my mind, I realize it’s true. I don’t just fancy Edward, I love him. Properly love him. I start to sweat as the truth hits me.
‘Not yet,’ Robert replies smoothly. ‘It will be put out to tender soon.’
‘Will any local contractors be considered?’
‘Like I say, it will be put out to tender,’ Robert says. ‘Then we’ll whittle down the applications and take it from there. We expect it to be a highly competitive process.’
Laurence winks happily at Odette as Robert says this – I get the feeling that he’ll take great satisfaction from getting the most value for his money.
‘I wish I could think of something to ask him,’ Betty hisses. ‘He’s such a hottie!’
‘What about traffic congestion?’ Odette asks, her head cocked to one side, as if she’s spent endless nights worrying about this detail.
‘That’s a very good question, Odette,’ Robert replies. ‘Under-and over-ground parking will be provided.’
‘Plenty of room for everyone, then?’ She giggles.
‘Oh, yes,’ Robert agrees. ‘And parking will be free, of course.’
‘All those extra cars in the area will do nothing but pollute our beautiful countryside!’ Peg is on her feet at the top of the hall. ‘You lot are trying to swindle us!’
Robert shoots a concerned glance at Laurence. He’s not quite sure how to handle Peg now that she’s left her seat – he thinks she’s a loose cannon, I can tell.
‘We’re not trying to swindle anyone, Peg,’ Laurence says quickly, in a soothing tone. ‘We’re trying to improve amenities for the village. Wouldn’t you like to be able to get some fresh coriander if you wanted it?’
‘I hate coriander.’ Peg snorts.
‘I love it!’ someone calls.
‘Me too!’ another voice shouts.
‘See? You can’t stop progress, Peg,’ Laurence says, his eyes like flint, ‘no matter what.’
‘Is that a threat?’ Ted is on his feet now. ‘Are you threatening my wife?’
‘Of course not,’ Laurence replies smoothly. ‘But she’s getting pretty heated. Maybe you should bring her home and give her a cup of tea. Calm her down a bit.’
‘You condescending –’ In the blink of an eye, Ted is scrambling to get on the stage. ‘I’ll have you for that!’ he roars.
‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph!’ Laurence sprints to hide behind Odette. ‘Lads! Lads! Get this lunatic out of here.’
Two burly men leap from the side of the stage and lunge towards Ted, who is now shadow-boxing at a quaking Laurence. Odette is flapping Ted away, like she might swat at an irritating fly, and Robert is looking on with an expression of sheer bafflement.
‘Let go of him, you animals!’ Peg screeches, launching herself at one of the thugs, who now has Ted by the collar and is attempting to haul him away.
Everyone is on their feet now and there’s pandemonium as the villagers swarm over the stage and join in the mêlée: fists are flying and punches are being thrown left, right and centre. It’s suddenly become a free-for-all.
I know this is my chance. If I act now, I’ll be gone before the lights come back on and Robert will never know I was here. I move quickly, pushing past Betty who’s yelling, ‘Get him, get him!’
I’m not sure which side she’s on, and I’m not waiting to see. I’m at the door, ready to dive into the night, when I hear Peg cry above the din. ‘Help! Somebody help!’ she sobs, looking helplessly around her. I glance over my shoulder and see Ted crumpled by the stage, deathly pale. Laurence seems to have been bundled from the hall.
Oh, no. Something has happened to Ted and people are too busy squaring up to each other to notice. If I go back now I’m done for – Robert will see me and the truth will be out. But Ted needs help and Peg is terrified. I’ve no choice. Pushing all thoughts of what will happen from my mind, I turn and shove my way through the crowd and back towards the stage.
‘Maggie!’ Peg sobs, when she sees me. ‘Maggie, help him, he’s having a heart-attack!’
‘I’m not having a heart-attack, Peg, don’t fuss,’ Ted says weakly.
‘Are you OK?’ I stoop to look at him.
‘I don’t feel so good, Maggie girl.’ He smiles wanly at me. ‘It’s nothing – I’ll be OK in a minute.’
‘Don’t worry, Ted, you’ll be fine,’ I say. ‘We’ll get you out of here.’
Inside, I’m panicking. For once, it seems that Peg isn’t exaggerating: Ted doesn’t look good. He needs a doctor – fast.
‘Sit with him, Peg,’ I say, my voice far calmer than I feel. ‘I’ll call an ambulance.’
‘An ambulance?’ Her voice shakes.
‘Just as a precaution.’ I hug her briefly. ‘I’m sure he’ll be OK, but we don’t want to take any chances, do we?’
‘No, no,’ she cries. ‘Oh, Maggie, if anything happens to him, I’ll die. He’s the love of my life.’
‘I know he is, Peg.’ I squeeze her tight. ‘Now sit and hold his hand – this’ll only take a second.’
I make for a quiet corner – there’s still bedlam in the hall and I need to make sure the emergency services can hear what I’m saying.
‘Maggie?’ Edward is at my side as I flip open my phone.
‘It’s Ted,’ I say, quickly dialling 999. ‘I think he’s having a heart-attack. Stay with them, will you? Peg’s in a state.’
‘Of course. Don’t worry, it’ll be OK.’ He briefly squeezes my arm, then disappears back into the crowd.
I’ve given the emergency services the details and am shoving my phone back in my bag when I hear the voice behind me. ‘Maggie?’
I don’t even have to turn – I know immediately who it is. The game is up.
‘Hi, Robert.’
‘What … what are you doing here?’
Confusion is written all over his face. He didn’t know I was in Glacken, that much is obvious. No one told him where I was and he hasn’t been stalking me. This is just one big cosmic coincidence – if God exists, she has a very strange sense of humour.
‘It’s a long story.’ I sigh. ‘I’m living here now.’
‘You’ve moved? Here?’ His voice is incredulous as he drinks in my appearance.
‘Yes, I have.’
I know why he’s so surprised. Notwithstanding that he never imagined bumping into me here, the last time he saw me I was groomed and polished. Now I’m standing in the middle of a remote village hall, dressed in an outfit I would never have left the house in just a few short months ago. I look like … like Claire did when she started her journey to her inner self. And Robert looks just like I did when I met her wearing her dog-eaten hoody: shell-shocked. I almost have to stifle a laugh at his expression. This would be comical if it wasn’t so tragic.
‘But you hate the country!’ he says, astonished.
‘I don’t hate it,’ I say.
‘You do – you once said that –’
‘If I ever had to live beyond the motorway I’d go bonkers?’
That’s what Dom said when I told him I was moving to Glacken. I must have told Robert the same thing.
‘Exactly!’ He shakes his head, as if he can’t quite believe his eyes.
‘Well, I guess I was wrong.’ I smile sheepishly. ‘I like it here. In fact, I love it.’
As I say it, I know it’s true. I do love Glacken. It’s started to feel like home. These people have started to feel like a second family. There are a few mad relations in the pot, of course – Peg and Ted aren’t entirely sane – but I love them regardless.
‘But what are you doing for work?’ Robert asks. ‘Is there even an estate agency down here?’
‘Not exactly …’ I fudge. ‘I’m keeping busy, you know, with other stuff.’
‘Robert!’ Odette’s voice cuts through our conversation as she rushes to Robert’s side. ‘Thank God I got Laurence out of here safely. I’m so sorry about this calamity. It’s these villagers – some of them are barbaric. The sooner I get out of here myself the better! Oh, Maggie!’ She stops chattering when she notices me.
‘Hi, Odette,’ I say.
‘You two know each other?’ Robert asks.
‘Everyone knows everyone in a small village, Robert,’ I reply.
Odette looks from me to Robert, her eyes narrowed, as if she can’t quite figure out what’s going on. ‘Do you … do you two know each other?’
‘Yes, we do,’ I reply. There’s no point in denying it.
‘Maggie and I were together …’ Robert says, not elaborating any further. But it’s clear what he means.
‘What? You mean Robert is your secret boyfriend?’ Odette’s eyes widen.
‘You have a secret boyfriend?’ Robert asks, getting hold of the wrong end of the stick. ‘Wow – you have been busy, Maggie. Leaving the estate agent’s, moving here, getting a secret boyfriend … What else have you been up to?’
‘Estate agent’s?’ Odette’s mouth is hanging open. She has definitely had veneers – I’m sure of it now. Funny what you notice in a crisis.
‘Well, yes,’ Robert says, looking even more confused.
‘You’re not an artist, are you?’ Odette says accusingly. ‘You never were! You don’t paint under a pseudonym at all! That was all a lie! I knew it!’
‘What’s she talking about, Maggie?’ Robert asks.
I’m desperately trying to think of something to say. The only possible way out of this mess is an alien abduction. What are the odds of that happening? Slim to none, I should imagine, more’s the pity, because being snatched by evil alien life forms intent on using my brain for sinister experiments is far preferable to having to tell the truth.
‘Maggie told everyone in the village that she was an award-winning artist!’ Odette crows.
Now that she’s over the shock of the revelation, it’s clear that she’s thrilled by the news.
‘Well, I didn’t exactly say award-winning …’ I begin.
That’s true at least: technically it was Peg and Ted who spread that rumour, not me. I did go along with it, of course. I’m the one to blame for this mess.
‘An artist?’ Robert guffaws, slapping my back a little too heartily. ‘That’s hilarious!’
‘Why is it hilarious exactly?’ I feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. OK, so I may have lied, but why does he think the idea of me painting is so outlandish?
‘Well, you’re not exactly Van Gogh, are you, Mags?’ Robert chuckles.
‘That’s not what she told everyone,’ Odette says. ‘She led us all up the garden path about her career when she was really living a lie! She even told us she painted under another name – all so she wouldn’t be found out!’
‘Odette, this was a misunderstanding that got out of control,’ I say. ‘I never meant to deceive anyone.’
‘And we’re supposed to believe that, are we?’ she sneers. ‘When you told everyone you were an artist and all along you were an estate agent! You’re a joke!’
It’s as if the room has become suddenly still and deathly silent as Odette’s voice rings out.
I see past her to where Edward is standing, a look of horror on his face. I’m not sure about everyone else, but he has definitely heard every word – he knows the truth about me, that I am what he said he despises most.
I watch as Robert and Odette follow my gaze. There’s an undeniable flicker of recognition on their faces: they’ve seen how I feel about Edward; they know the full truth now.
It’s happened – just like I knew it would eventually. My pyramid of lies and deceit has finally come crashing down around my ears.