Turning into the Pickering’s street, Vince almost stopped the car and backed out, but Melanie was already peering through the window with a broad smile lighting her face.
Her happiness meant more than his misgivings.
But if anything went wrong… if Carla or Bradley upset her…
His knuckles were white on the steering wheel, and he made an effort to loosen his fingers. At this rate he’d end up having to see Doctor Raju or one of his colleagues before he blew a gasket.
‘We went past their house!’
‘Just turning around.’ He drove to the end of their cul-de-sac and circled, sliding the car into a spot near their driveway. Bradley’s car was parked in front of the garage.
‘I can see Carla!’
Carla was on the footpath, waving.
‘Wait a sec. Are you sure you’re okay here for a couple of hours?’
He might as well have saved his breath for the minute the motor was off, Melanie was out of her seat belt and pushing the door open.
‘Melanie… okay, off you go.’
In a minute she was in Carla’s arms, who picked her right up as if greeting her own long-lost child. She squeezed Melanie so tightly she squealed and wiggled her way back to the ground.
Vince collected Melanie’s backpack from the back seat.
‘Here you go, Mel. I’ll be back in two hours, okay?’
She nodded and shrugged it on, then grabbed Carla’s hand. ‘Are we going to cook?’
‘Cook and play and make some jewellery if you like, honey. Let’s go inside.’ Carla led the way up the driveway.
Bradley wandered toward them from the house.
‘Hi, Uncle Brad.’ Melanie’s voice was barely a whisper.
‘Hi there, baby girl. You ladies go in and I’ll be right behind you both.’
He stopped on the other side of the footpath from Vince. ‘She’s welcome to stay all day.’
‘I’ll be back in two hours. Call me if there are any issues.’
‘Why would there be issues, mate? She’s safe here with her godparents. And she loves us.’
Don’t poke the beast. Mate.
‘Once Melanie goes back to school I’d like a meeting to discuss David’s share of your business. Our lawyers can sort out the details, but I want you to talk me through whatever arrangements you both had.’
‘Why wait? Come to the warehouse now and I’ll answer your questions.’
‘Not today. I’ll arrange something after the funeral
‘Sure. Text me a time and I’ll make sure I’m there,’ Bradley said. ‘I’ve got some pictures of David in my office which Melanie might like. Can I ask a favour? The laptop in the house really does belong to the business and has files on it I need. Any chance I can collect it?’
‘None. But I’ll check with the lawyer and think about bringing it to you.’
Bradley’s mouth opened and then he changed his mind and closed it.
Carla was at the window watching. She turned away when Vince caught her eye. Her obvious disapproval of him was odd. She’d been Susie’s friend since university and visited his house with her more than once. Over the years, particularly since the two husbands became business partners, she’d become standoffish, but never so angry with him as she’d been since the night of the accident.
‘Was something wrong the other night? Was David upset. When he left… was something bothering him?’
‘No. Nothing. We had a nice night.’
The other man stared at the footpath, the tip of his shoe moving a pebble about.
‘Would you tell me about the dinner? Susie…’
Bradley looked up. ‘Of course, mate. Of course you’d want to know. Just not much to tell. The four of us spoiling Melanie. David and I talked shop and sports. Carla and Susie were talking babies, I think?’
‘Babies?’
‘Ours, not Susie. Carla was hopeful that night. But she isn’t.’
‘Sorry.’
‘God’s will. Our time will come when He’s ready.’
‘And nothing out of the ordinary happened? David was fine. Susie was fine? Even when they got in the car?’
Bradley stared him in the eye. ‘They drove off with a wave. Melanie was sleepy. Nothing out of the ordinary, Vince.’
‘Honey, you coming in?’ Carla called from the doorway.
‘Better go. Three hours?’
‘Two.’
With a shrug, Bradley headed back to the house.
Two hours later to a minute, Vince tapped on the door. Bradley’s car was gone, and it was Melanie who opened the door with a smile. ‘I’m almost ready, Grandad.’
‘Good girl. Did you have fun?’
She nodded and then, leaving the door open, ran into one of the rooms. ‘Be right back!’
There was muffled words and Melanie returned, this time with her backpack on and carrying a clothes bag.
She struggled to hold it up and Vince took it. ‘What’s this?’
‘Um, Auntie Carla got me a special dress for… the thing… you know.’ Her smile vanished and her eyes were huge. ‘And tights and shoes.’
His eyelids squeezed tight of their own volition as a roaring sound filled his ears. How dare she! In what world would someone outside a family, unwanted and unasked, take it upon herself to dress his grandchild for the funeral? She had no right.
‘Vince… I’m her godmother. Doing what Susie would have expected.’
The words were so softly spoken he barely heard them but as the sound in his ears subsided, he opened his eyes. Carla stood right in front of him, her hand on his arm. She wasn’t angry. Just sad.
‘Melanie is fetching you a glass of water. Do you want to sit?’
He gulped in oxygen. Had he said those things aloud?
‘Vince?’
‘No… thank you. Why? Why do that?’
Carla glanced over her shoulder.
‘For my friend. To honour her. Is that so wrong?’
‘Here, Grandad. Did you get too thirsty?’ Melanie carried an over-full glass, careful not to spill any water.
‘I did get too thirsty.’ And although his throat was tight, he forced the water down. ‘Much better.’
‘I’ll take the glass back.’
As soon as Melanie was out of sight, Carla picked up the clothes bag which he must have dropped without realising. ‘You think I overstepped. I think I was looking out for Melanie and for you. Letting other people help isn’t a crime.’ She held it out. ‘It’s okay if you don’t want her to have it.’
But Melanie expects to wear this now.
‘Thank you.’ He accepted the clothes bag. ‘And… sorry.’
Her lips flickered up for a second.
Melanie ran back. ‘Are you better now?’
‘All better. Say bye to Auntie Carla.’
There was a hug and more quiet words and then he had Melanie’s hand in his. At the car, he opened her door for her to get in, and then the boot, laying down the clothes bag.
Next to the Target bag with its own Melanie-sized black dress inside he’d just bought.