It was a fine day and since she didn’t have any classes to attend, Janey decided to go for a walk. As she was carrying Millie down the stairs, Kieran came out of his flat and waited for her to strap the baby into the buggy before holding the door open.
‘Going for a walk?’
‘Yes. It’s quite a nice day, isn’t it?’
‘It is. Nearly March now. Spring is in the air.’
Whistling cheerfully, something she’d never heard him do before, he went back into the flat. It was such a happy sound, that whistle. It made her smile. And he was right. There was a feel of spring in the air, just a hint, enough to make your blood stir and your spirits rise.
As she was walking up the road, she heard a car come out of the flats behind her and glanced sideways to see three people sitting in it. The librarian and her son were with Kieran again. Was it their presence that was cheering him up? If so, she hoped they’d stay.
Oh, to have a car! It’d make her life so much easier. But she’d still go for walks because she loved being out in the fresh air.
Of course she headed for the allotments first, because she liked chatting to Mr Shackleton and knew he enjoyed company. He was there as usual, this time turning over the soil at one end of his plot. As soon as he saw her, he beckoned. ‘You’re just in time for a cuppa!’
She’d had a cup of tea before she left the flat but accepted his offer anyway. ‘It looks like good soil, nice and dark.’
‘Yes. Best Wiltshire, that is. You can grow anything in soil like that. Wait till you taste my runner beans.’
As they were waiting for the tea to brew, Dawn came into the allotments and walked briskly across to join them.
‘Hello, Dawn,’ he called. ‘Haven’t seen you for a while.’
‘I’ve been even busier than usual. Have you got a spare cuppa, Mr S? And a spare minute, too? I’d like to talk to you about something and ask your advice.’
‘I can leave if it’s private,’ Janey offered at once.
‘No, don’t do that,’ Dawn said. ‘It’s not at all private and another opinion is always helpful. How are things going, Janey? I can see your Millie is thriving. Just look at that smile.’ She turned back to Dan and said in a gentler tone, ‘I was sorry to hear about Peggy.’
‘Thank you.’ He busied himself with the tea, then passed the mugs to them. ‘Right then, what can I do for you, Dawn?’
‘I’m thinking of starting a shared gardens scheme.’
‘What’s that?’ Janey asked.
‘It’s when people who have too much garden to cope with let other people use it to grow vegetables, in return for a share of the produce. It’s usually the gardens of older people who can’t do the heavy work any longer or else people who’re too busy or are simply not interested in gardening. And there are people in flats who’d love a bit of garden, or mad-keen gardeners who’d like more land.’
‘I’m one of the ones in a flat,’ Janey said at once. ‘I love getting my hands into the soil, and you can’t beat home-grown fruit and vegetables. Nothing you buy at the shops tastes half as good.’
‘It’s a great idea!’ Dan said. ‘People can wait years to get allotments in this town. What can I do to help?’
‘Well – and you must say no if it’s too much to ask – I’d be happy if you’d help generally, but specifically I’d love you to advise people who aren’t used to gardening. You know, be our resident expert. You’ve not only got green fingers, you always seem to know the science behind what you’re doing.’
He beamed at her. ‘What a nice compliment! And I’d love to do that. Just what I need to keep me busy … now.’ Then he nodded towards Janey. ‘And this lass can be the first on our list to garden share.’
Dawn looked at her doubtfully. ‘People your age don’t usually want to be responsible for a garden.’
‘I love gardening. I used to help my granddad, and after he died, I grew vegetables for my parents. My father didn’t enjoy gardening and he didn’t like me going out with friends, but he approved of that because it saved us money. And it got me out of the house.’
‘Then you can be our guinea pig.’
An idea started growing in Janey’s head as she listened to them talking about how they could organise it. When there was a break in the conversation, she said, ‘Um – I think I know someone who’d love to share her garden, if you want to try it out before you go public. It upsets her that she can’t look after it and it’s a really big garden. You know her, too, Miss Parfitt who lives in the big house at the end of Peppercorn Street.’
‘I should have thought of Winifred myself. Good idea, Janey. Let’s go and see her today.’ Dawn looked at her watch. ‘Oh no, is that really the time?’ She drained her cup. ‘I can’t fit her in today. I’ll have to try to find time tomorrow.’
‘I could call and see her, if you like,’ Janey said. ‘Give her a rough idea of what you want to do, so she can think about it.’
She knew Dan was lonely and guessed that Miss Parfitt was too. Suddenly her idea expanded. ‘Though it might be better if Mr Shackleton came with me. He could check out the garden and think how to divide it up. We could practise on it, couldn’t we, Mr Shackleton? If you don’t think I’m too young to take part, that is.’
‘Of course you’re not too young!’ he said at once. ‘And do call me Mr S. Most people do. Shackleton’s such a mouthful of a name.’
Dawn beamed at them both. ‘Great to see you making friends. I don’t at all approve of the way people from different generations stay so separate.’ She looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Perhaps we could get my mum and Winifred to do the paperwork for the scheme. I don’t really have time to run it, but when I heard about the idea, I knew it was needed in our town.’
She stood up. ‘Could you go and see Miss Parfitt today, do you think? I don’t believe in letting the grass grow under my feet.’
After she’d gone, Dan grinned at Janey. ‘She sweeps everyone along in her plans, Dawn does. She’s a treasure, that lass is. Does a lot of good in this town. Her husband’s quieter, but he helps behind the scenes and he’s very proud of her.’ He started gathering the mugs together. ‘Shall we go and see this Miss Parfitt now?’
‘Yes. We’ve just got time before lunch. Millie plays up if her food is late.’
It felt strange but nice to have someone walking along beside her, chatting, as she pushed the buggy. She’d grown so used to being on her own with Millie, didn’t ever again want to feel as utterly alone as she had the day she moved into the flat.
When Winifred heard the doorbell, her heart started to beat a little faster. Bradley’s fault. He’d made her nervous of answering her own front door. She went into the sitting room and peered out of the window, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Janey there, with her baby in the buggy, and an elderly man standing beside her, smiling down at the baby. Such a nice smile, the man had, kindly and tolerant.
She hurried to open the door.
‘Is this a convenient time to call?’ Janey asked.
‘Yes, of course. I don’t get many visitors so it’s nearly always convenient. Call any time you feel like some company or a piece of cake.’ She wondered if she’d said too much but Janey’s smile didn’t falter as she nodded acceptance of this ongoing invitation. At least, Winifred hoped that was what the nod meant.
‘This is Mr Shackleton. He has one of the Grove Allotments and he’s a friend of Dawn’s. She sent us over to ask you something.’
‘Then you’d better come in. Would you like a cup of tea?’
They both laughed.
‘We’ve just had one,’ Janey explained. ‘Mr S has a little gas ring at his shed on the allotment and he’s always making me tea.’
‘Come and visit me sometime and I’ll make you one too, Miss Parfitt,’ he offered. ‘And my name’s Dan.’
Winifred blinked, surprised at such an immediate gesture of friendship. ‘I’d like that. And do call me Winifred. Come and sit down.’
But he went to the kitchen window first, staring out at the garden and giving a soft whistle. ‘I didn’t realise how big your place was. The wall and hedge hide it.’
‘Far too big for me now, but I don’t want to leave my home.’ Winifred couldn’t hold back a sigh.
He came back to join them at the table. ‘That’s what we’ve come about. Dawn wants to start a garden sharing scheme in the town. Do you know what that is?’
‘She mentioned it one day, so I have a rough general idea.’
‘It’s a great concept, isn’t it? There’s such a long waiting list for allotments, people lose heart, yet more of them are wanting to grow their own food, if they can find somewhere to grow it.’
‘But what has it got to do with me?’
He gave her another of his gentle smiles. ‘We thought you might like to be our guinea pig and be the first person to share a garden.’
Winifred stared at him as this idea sank in. She’d not thought about the scheme in relation to herself. She looked out of the window thoughtfully. ‘I wouldn’t know where to start, how to find people, but I would definitely be interested in sharing my garden. It looks such a mess these days, it upsets me to see it. I used to love gardening, but I can’t do the bending and kneeling now. Arthritis.’
‘It’s a curse, arthritis is,’ Dan said. ‘I’ve got it in my hands and knees but it’s not too bad yet.’ He spread out his gnarled old fingers, looked at them with a grimace, then shrugged. ‘Anno domini. I try to ignore my age and carry on anyway.’ He leant forward. ‘I thought you could help us start the scheme together. And Dawn suggested her mother might help too. It’ll take some organising if we’re going to involve the whole town.’
‘The whole town?’
‘Oh, yes. Dawn never does things by halves.’
‘I don’t think her mother is very fond of gardening and as I said before, I can’t bend or—’
‘No, but there’s going to be a lot of paperwork, so Dawn thought you and Hazel could take charge of that. What do you think?’
Winifred took another chance, excitement rising in her. ‘I think it’s an excellent idea and I’d love to help out in any way I can. I’m sure Hazel will too.’
Nicole and Paul had decided to go to the hospital before they went back to visit their old house, and this time both were allowed in to see Sam. He was still lying there, not seeming aware of what was going on around him.
‘He had a disturbed night, I’m afraid,’ the nurse said. ‘Is he worrying about something?’
‘Could be. Our older son has gone off the rails and the police are looking for him.’
‘Did your husband know about that before he collapsed? What a terrible thing for you all! Anyway, stay as long as you like. There are no restrictions on visiting times.’
That sounded ominous to Nicole but she could see that Paul hadn’t picked up the implications, so she didn’t comment.
They stayed for ten minutes, sitting by the bed, finding it hard to chat to a man who didn’t respond in any way. In the end Nicole could bear it no longer. ‘Shall we go now?’
Paul nodded, looking relieved.
‘I don’t like to see Dad looking like that,’ he whispered once they got outside.
‘Neither do I.’ She led the way down to the foyer, where Kieran was sitting at a table drinking something from the refreshments kiosk.
He stood up as soon as he saw them. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Not really. I think perhaps we should go home now and get Paul’s clothes and the other stuff he needs for school.’
‘I’ve been thinking – it might be better to ring the police first and check that it’s all right to go back. We don’t know what William’s been up to overnight, after all. Do you have the card they gave you?’
The person at the other end of the line seemed to know about the case and said she’d ask a car to drop round to the house, just to make sure everything was all right.
When they pulled up outside her old home, Nicole shivered.
‘Is something wrong?’ Kieran asked.
‘I’m just … a bit nervous.’
‘What if William’s here?’ Paul asked. ‘He has to hide somewhere, after all.’
‘If he is, we’ll run outside again.’ She tried to joke but her voice wavered on the final words. Paul made no attempt to go rushing ahead of her as he usually would have done and Kieran stayed firmly by her side.
She got out the front door key, but fumbled and dropped it on the path.
Paul picked it up and put it in the lock for her, turning it and stepping forward.
She dragged him back by his jacket. ‘I’ll go first.’ Taking a deep breath she pushed the door fully open and took two steps into the hall, stopping to wrinkle her nose because the place smelt of sweat and rotten food. She looked into the front room, where the pieces of her broken figurine were still scattered across the hearth. It didn’t look as if anything had been touched in here since she left.
Kieran and Paul waited near the door, still taking their cue from her. She went across to the dining room and gasped. Gouged into the polished tabletop was the word: BITCH.
Kieran came and put his arm round her shoulders. Paul pressed against her other side.
‘He’s a sicko, Mum. Let’s go outside again and wait for the police.’
She stiffened. ‘No. Let’s continue exploring.’
‘What if he’s here?’ he whispered. ‘He’s already hurt you once.’
She put her hand up to the back of her head instinctively as he said that.
‘Paul’s right,’ Kieran urged. ‘Better to be cautious.’
As they moved into the hall again, there was a sound from the kitchen.
Without asking permission, Kieran pushed her and Paul outside again and moved to stand in front of her.
As Nicole looked into the house, she saw someone come out of the kitchen and stand at the end of the hall: her son – and yet, not her son, somehow. William’s face was so full of anger, he didn’t look like the lad she knew. Though why he was so angry all the time, she couldn’t work out. He stood there glaring at her, then took a step forward, one fist raised as if he was about to attack them. She couldn’t help it – she took another quick step backwards.
William smiled and took another step forward, taunting her with that brandished fist. ‘Keep away from here, bitch!’
‘Get in the car,’ Kieran muttered.
But just then another car drew up behind hers in the drive, a police car.
‘Thank goodness!’ Paul said.
William made a rude sign with one finger and vanished into the kitchen.
One of the police officers came hurrying towards her. ‘Everything all right, Mrs Gainsford?’
‘No. My son William is here. I think he was about to attack us when you arrived. He went into the back of the house.’
The officers looked at one another then one pointed and ran through the front door while the other ran round the side towards the rear.
Kieran watched them intently, keeping an eye on the other side of the house. ‘I wish this were a semi-detached house,’ he murmured. ‘If he comes round the other side, don’t try to stop him, either of you.’
But there was no sign of William coming round the side and after a while the police officers returned.
‘I reckon he went over the back fence,’ one said. ‘The plants were freshly trampled in one corner. Do you want to check the house now?’
Nicole nodded, guessing there would be further nasty surprises waiting for her. Best get it over with. ‘Paul, when we’re sure it’s safe, sort out your clothes and anything else you want to take with you. Work as fast as you can. Pile the clothes on the bed and we’ll wrap them in the sheet.’
‘Right.’
It hurt her to see him looking so upset. Well, she was upset too – very – but she didn’t dare give in to her feelings. She went back into the house, ignoring the two rooms at the front. The kitchen was even messier than before. A can of baked beans had been overturned recently and the sauce was still slipping out into a glutinous puddle on the table. There was a carton of milk on the draining board, with splashes where it had been dumped in a hurry.
In one corner was a pile of broken crockery. It looked as if someone had simply lobbed pieces there on purpose. She moved closer and gasped. ‘That’s my best dinner set,’ she told the police. ‘He must have brought it in from the dining room to break like this. Why does he hate me so much? What have I ever done to deserve it?’
‘From what your younger son and husband told us before, he’s on anabolic steroids, and they can do terrible things to young men, especially if he’s on the designer version. Rage and mindless aggression are among the common side effects.’
‘I don’t understand why young men do this to themselves.’
‘The medical gurus say they want to be more powerful. Others because they think drugs are where it’s at. Anything for kicks.’
‘William was never an easy child to rear. He wasn’t very good at school, right from the start. We had to hire tutors to get him reading properly. Paul was different, a good student all along. I suppose this is William’s way of making up for it.’
He gave her a sympathetic look, waited a moment then asked, ‘Shall we go and check upstairs now, Ms Gainsford?’
She nodded and turned to Kieran. ‘Will you come with me as well?’
‘Of course I will.’ He took her hand for a moment, sure they’d find something unpleasant upstairs. ‘Let’s do it.’
She turned to her son. ‘Paul, you follow us. Keep a few steps back and if I say you’re to go downstairs again, do it.’
Upstairs it looked as if a hurricane had swept through. William must have been searching for something, because all the drawers had been emptied out and half the clothes dragged from the wardrobes and left in tangled heaps.
‘Looking for something valuable to sell, probably,’ the male officer said.
She looked at him anxiously. ‘I took my jewellery to my new flat. You don’t think – he won’t have gone there, surely? Not with the police looking for him?’
The officer was already pulling out his mobile phone. He walked out on to the landing to make the call, suggesting they send someone to her flat immediately. He turned. ‘Address?’
She gave it with a sinking heart. ‘I don’t know whether to hurry back or stay here,’ she told Kieran.
‘Stay here. Retrieve what you can now, because it’s my guess he’ll be back.’
Paul’s room had also been ransacked and the computer monitor lay smashed in one corner. He stood for a moment fists clenched, expression anguished, then said, ‘I think the computer itself’s OK, but I’ll need to get a new monitor, Mum, if you can afford one.’
‘You can take your father’s. In fact, take your father’s computer as well. It’s in the study downstairs. We don’t want it getting smashed.’ It didn’t sound as if Sam would need it again. Her throat clogged with guilt which was weighing her down so heavily she didn’t know how to bear it. She should have tried harder to persuade him to go to the doctor’s.
Paul touched her arm briefly, as if he sensed her distress. ‘You all right, Mum?’
She pulled herself together. ‘Yes. Work as quickly as you can.’
When they left an hour later, they took as much as they could with them, odd-shaped bundles, boxes. Paul had to sit squashed into one corner of the car’s back seat, on top of some bundles of clothes and with head-height bundles beside him, and even on his lap.
The police escorted them to Nicole’s flat, where their colleagues were now keeping watch.
Janey walked down Peppercorn Street from Miss Parfitt’s house, pleased with how her life was turning out. She’d left Mr S pacing out the garden and she hoped this project would help cement his friendship with his hostess. They were both lonely, she could see that. There ought to be introduction agencies for old people, not for them to find new marriage partners, but just for finding friends.
She felt happiness well up inside her like a warm fountain as she counted her blessings. She was starting to make friends, finding activities to occupy her time, not to mention coping with looking after her daughter, something which had terrified her at first.
Lost in her thoughts and plans, she didn’t notice the car until it slowed right down next to her. She looked sideways at it, expecting someone to be asking directions. But it wasn’t. It was him, giving her that confident gloating smile which made her shiver.
She stopped, unable to move for sheer terror. Her heart started to pound and she would have screamed, only she couldn’t make a sound, except for a soft whimper of protest. He’d come back looking for her! He was going to spoil her lovely new life!
As he waved one hand in greeting, a police car with its light flashing drove past and he drove off at once, not stopping to ask what the police were doing there. Well, he was stationed on the other side of Swindon so they couldn’t be members of his team.
It was a while before she could move on and then she walked slowly and heavily like an old person, couldn’t help it because fear was still weighing her down. She’d known he could find her easily enough, but she hadn’t seen any reason why he would bother.
But he had bothered. Why? And why had he made his presence known to her today? What did he want from her? Hadn’t he done enough to ruin her life?
She gasped. He surely didn’t expect her to let him near her again willingly?
But he didn’t want a willing woman. He’d really enjoyed hurting her. That had terrified her most of all, because she’d thought at one stage he was going to kill her.
If only she’d gone for help straight away, shown people her bruises. But she hadn’t known she was pregnant. She’d thought she could just forget it and take care never to be alone with him again.
She looked down at Millie, amazed as she always was, that she could love his child so much. Maternal instinct, she supposed.
But she wasn’t going to let him force her again. She didn’t know how she’d stop him, but she would. She couldn’t prove that she’d been unwilling to have sex with him but she’d already decided she didn’t want to have a DNA test done on Millie, because she didn’t want him to have any rights of access to her daughter. He might hurt her too.
So it had to be stopped.
But how?
One of the police officers keeping watch on Mrs Gainsford’s flat from a little way down the street turned to the other. ‘Wasn’t that Gary Yarford?’
‘Yeah. Same old surveillance vehicle. Everyone in the force for fifty miles around knows it by now. You’d think that lot would have the wit to replace it, because if we know it by sight, you can be sure others will too.’
‘I wonder who he was keeping watch on?’
‘He drew up beside that girl who was walking with her baby. I saw him wave to her. She didn’t look happy to see him, though. Did you see her face? Hey, she’s turning into those flats just down the road! Pull forward a minute. There’s nothing parked on the road outside them.’
They moved further down the street and watched as Janey hauled the buggy up the step and into the entrance hall. She unfastened the baby and carried it upstairs, then came back down for the buggy.
‘She doesn’t look like a crim or a hooker to me.’
‘Me neither. But she knew him and she was definitely scared of him. Did you see her face?’
‘You never know who that bugger’s watching. He’s a law unto himself. Glad he’s not my sergeant.’
‘Me, too. A couple of my pals work under him and they hate his guts. Ah, here are the others. We can hand over to them now. This Gainsford lad is causing a lot of trouble. ’Bout time he was picked up.’
Nicole followed the police officer into her flat, relieved to see that it hadn’t been touched. Then everyone helped lug in the things they’d brought from home. She wanted to tell Kieran to leave it to the others, because he was looking tired and his limp was worse, but she bit back the words. What he needed most at the moment was to feel useful and normal.
And she felt better when he was around. Much better.
‘I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe in that house again,’ she murmured as she set down the last bundle. She didn’t realise she’d spoken her thoughts aloud until one of the officers answered.
‘You’ll probably be safer here, Mrs Gainsford. This is a fairly secure building, but nowhere’s completely safe because windows can always be broken and you’re on the ground floor. So … you’re not going to go back to the house?’
She couldn’t help shuddering. ‘No way.’
‘We’ll keep an eye on it, then.’
‘You and Paul can stay on with me, if you like,’ Kieran offered.
‘We can’t trespass on your goodwill.’
‘It’s been nice to have company.’ He lowered his voice as he added for her ears only, ‘It’s doing me good to make friends again. We are friends now, aren’t we? Perhaps … more than friends?’
She smiled. ‘Oh, yes. You’re very kind, Kieran, but I think we’d better stay in my flat. I don’t want William thinking he can walk all over me.’
‘Why not get a cheap security system?’ one officer suggested. ‘One with a siren that screams loudly if anyone tries to break in while you’re out. There are plenty of neighbours within earshot.’
‘Are they expensive?’ She was already starting to worry about money, because Sam hadn’t been with that company for long and she didn’t know how much sickness entitlement he’d have accrued or how his superannuation stood. He’d refused to discuss that with her when he changed jobs, saying by the time he retired, they’d be rich.
‘Security systems aren’t that expensive if you get a do-it-yourself kit. Are you at all handy? They come with full instructions.’
‘I could have a go,’ Paul offered. ‘I like fiddling with computers and electronic stuff.’
‘I could help him,’ Kieran volunteered. ‘I’ve got a system fitted at my flat and I watched how they installed it. Paul can climb up and down ladders, and I’ll play foreman.’
Paul grinned at him and Nicole felt pleased at how well the two of them got on.
The police left her to sort out her possessions and Kieran sagged against the door frame. ‘Look, I need to get something to eat so that I can take a painkiller. I’m only taking halves now, so it’s even more important that I take them on time. I can come back and help after that.’ He didn’t tell her that he’d reduced his dosage so that he’d be more alert to help her. But the doctors had told him to start doing that when he felt he could cope.
‘Why don’t you have a rest and we’ll come down about two o’clock, then you can help us buy a security system?’
‘If you’re sure you’ll be all right till then?’
‘I’m sure.’ Pretty sure. She hoped.
‘I’ll program our phone for the police so you only have to hit one button to get that number they gave us,’ Paul said. He watched Kieran leave and drive off down the street. ‘He’s a nice guy, isn’t he?’
‘Very.’ She saw her son looking at her speculatively. ‘Hey, watch what you’re thinking. I only met him a few days ago.’
Paul gave his mother a very solemn look. ‘But there might be … possibilities. He looks at you as if he’s attracted.’
‘And what do you know about that?’
‘I’ve got eyes, and I have my moments, too, you know. You may not realise it, but geeks are cool these days and I’m a bit of a babe magnet.’
‘You are?’ She tried not to hide her surprise.
He shrugged. ‘Yeah. Not many girls go for dumb beefy types. And William’s acne was a big turn-off. Besides, Dad’s been treating you like shit for a good while now. I think you deserve better, so you should go for it. Get a life.’
‘It was the tumour that made him so lazy.’
‘Mum, he was lazy long before he got the tumour. You’ve had to nag him to help in the house for as long as I can remember.’
‘That tumour could have been developing for years.’
‘Don’t fool yourself, Mum. Just because he’s ill doesn’t mean he was a saint.’
‘You don’t sound very – upset.’
‘I am, but not as much as I could have been. He’s not been a very hands-on father, has he? He always put his best effort into his job. He just – wasn’t there for me.’
‘But that was to earn money for us.’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Mum! Get real. You’ve always had to earn money too. If his job was as hot as he boasted, you wouldn’t have needed to work.’
She gave up protesting. How could you argue against the truth?
Paul came and gave her a quick hug, something he did so rarely she’d not got over her surprise before he moved away.
‘It’s all right, Mum. I always knew you were there for us, even if I didn’t show it.’
‘You’ve not talked to me like this for a long time.’
He bit his lip, shrugging. ‘I’ve been keeping out of everyone’s way since William went aggro, hiding out in my room a lot. He could have beaten me into a pulp if I’d upset him.’
Thrusting his hands into his pockets he went to stare out of the window with his back to her and she guessed the confidences were at an end for the moment. ‘I’ll go and do some unpacking, then make lunch.’
‘When’s lunch?’
‘About half an hour. I want to unpack the things that will crease first. There are some apples in a bowl in the kitchen if you’re feeling hungry.’
He loped off to get one, then hoisted up two large bundles of clothes and disappeared into the smaller bedroom.
She carried some things into her own bedroom, feeling sad that Paul felt like that about his father, especially now, and also a bit flustered by his far too perceptive comments about their new friend. She did like Kieran … and trust him … and was attracted to him. It had happened quickly. But it was good that Paul also seemed very much at ease with their new friend.
And her son was right. Although Sam had reluctantly done his share of household chores, he’d always acted as if they were her responsibility and waited for her to tell him what to do. It was years since he’d talked to her properly. He’d not only worked long hours, but had always been the active sort, going out playing sports at weekends (‘networking’), working extra hours (she hoped that’s what he’d been doing), leaving her to look after the children.
She hadn’t minded at first, because she’d been thrilled to be a mother and too busy to think straight. But later, she’d started to resent Sam’s attitude, wanted a more willing partner in raising their family.
Had Sam’s attitude influenced William? Was his behaviour the result of taking anabolic steroids or was he mentally ill? Who knew?
She got angry with herself. Why was she going over all this old stuff about Sam and the family? She had unpacking to do, then food to provide.
But before she started, she rang work and explained what was going on, asking for emergency leave. Michael was once again very understanding.
A short time after she’d got off the phone to him, Helen rang to find out exactly what was going on and the two friends had a short chat.
‘We’ll go to the hospital first, then buy a security alarm,’ she said later, as she and her son ate lunch. ‘I’m sure Kieran won’t mind.’
‘I’m sure he won’t.’ Paul gave her another smug smile and she could feel herself blushing. Honestly! At her age!
‘Anything you need for your computer while we’re at it?’
‘Well, I do need a new connecting cable, if that’s OK. William cut mine into several pieces.’
‘I think my budget could stretch to that.’
‘Thanks, Mum. You’re the best.’
Warmth filled her. At least one of her sons was normal, and loving.
Once Janey had left, Dan smiled at Winifred. ‘Is it all right if I go over the garden. I can pace it out and start thinking how many plots we can make – if you’re all right about sharing it? Don’t let anyone dragoon you into this if you’re not.’
‘I think it’s an excellent idea. Shall I get some paper? You can call out the number of paces and I’ll put them on to a diagram. That at least I can do.’
‘Good. It’ll speed things up.’
They worked together for an hour, then she realised she was hungry. ‘Would you like something to eat?’
He stopped, head on one side. ‘Are you sure? After all, I’ve been dumped on you. I do have some sandwiches back at my allotment.’
‘It’s nice to share a meal. It’ll just be ham and lettuce sandwiches and cake. I need to go and do some shopping later.’
‘Sandwiches will be great. Can I help?’
‘No, thanks. It won’t take me a minute.’
He sat down at the table, watching her. ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking, but you’ve never been married?’
‘No. And you? Are you on your own?’
‘My wife died recently. Alzheimer’s, poor love. In the end, it’s a relief when they go.’
‘My mother suffered from dementia for the last few months of her life. Then she had a heart attack. I looked after her as best I could, but oh dear, she could be very difficult at times. In the end, they took her into hospital.’
‘I had to put my Peggy into care in the later stages. Eh, we never know what’ll happen to us, do we? I try to enjoy each and every day. A friend of mine used to say, “As long as you’re on the right side of the grass.” Now he isn’t, poor chap. But I still am.’
‘My friends have all died and I’ve been doing most of my living through books. Recently, thanks to Dawn, I’ve met Hazel and I bumped into that nice young girl one day in the street, or rather she came to my rescue when I was trying to bring back too much shopping.’
‘Janey’s a lovely lass.’ He smiled. ‘And that’s a cracking baby. Widest smile I’ve ever seen, little Millie has.’
‘I’m going to teach Janey to bake cakes.’
‘You couldn’t teach me at the same time, could you?’
She looked at him in surprise.
‘I miss home cooking.’ He gestured to the piece of cake on his plate. ‘This is delicious.’
‘I’d be happy to.’
Somehow she found herself telling him about her nephew and he grew upset. ‘How can he try to rob you like that? Family, too. Have people like him no consciences?’
‘They don’t understand how deeply we care about our homes, do they? And they think any place is good enough for the elderly, as long as there’s no obvious cruelty and the inmates have enough to eat. They don’t even allow room for people to take many of their possessions with them. I’ve visited friends in such places. One wasn’t too bad, and the staff were lovely, though she’d still had to get rid of most of her treasures, but the other place was awful, three people to a room.’
When Dan had gone, taking his rough plan of the garden with him, she sat for a while thinking. Her life was opening up in so many ways. She must go to church and say thank you properly for that.
And surely Bradley would leave her alone from now on? He had nothing whatsoever to gain from pestering her now. She’d made sure of that. It occurred to her suddenly that he didn’t know that. Well, if he came near her again, she’d tell him straight out that he’d get nothing under her new will.
But she didn’t want to be alone with him when she said it.