‘Let’s go visit with her,’ Cindy said at once.
Molly had met enough Americans to understand this meant chat to her. She looked at Euan. ‘All right if I go now?’
He waved one hand.
‘How long have you lived here?’ Cindy asked as the two women walked up to the hotel.
‘Just over a week.’
‘Did you know Euan before?’
‘No.’
‘And you’re already in love? That must be a strong attraction.’
Somehow Molly didn’t mind the other woman’s questions, because Cindy was so warmly friendly, you couldn’t suspect her of ulterior motives. ‘Yes, but I’m still a bit . . . surprised by it all.’
‘My advice still holds. Grab him while you can.’
‘I’m not used to diving into things head first.’
‘You Brits are too uptight. Go get him, girl!’
Molly led the way past reception to the office suite. ‘Here we are. Avril, this is Cindy, who’s going to buy a house, and . . .’
She could see that the two older women had taken to one another, so left Cindy with Avril and returned to the sales office.
Euan flapped one hand at her by way of greeting, but he was immersed in something on the computer, so she sat at her desk and stared out at the beautiful rolling Wiltshire scenery. She’d never lived so close to nature and watched in delight as a hare hopped across a patch of open land, and a parliament of rooks gathered to peck at the grass on the slope below the golf course. Such a delightful word for a flock of the large black birds.
Euan pushed his chair back. ‘Done! Do we need to talk about options, or did you mean it about me moving in? I can always get a room at the hotel, after all.’
‘I meant it.’
‘Good. I mean it, too.’
A car drew up and he swore under his breath. ‘Maybe when we’re living together we’ll manage to finish a conversation. Can you handle these people? I have some appointments up at the hotel. I’ve been neglecting my other business interests. I definitely need your help full-time.’
She turned to greet the newcomers, smiling as she realized she felt quite confident about dealing with them. She was definitely moving on. In so many ways.
Fourteen
It took Rachel a few moments to realize someone was ringing the doorbell. It couldn’t be Jamie, who had a key, and she didn’t want to see anyone else, so she ignored it.
It rang again and kept on ringing, so she got to her feet and went to check who it was through the peephole. What she saw made her fling the door open. ‘Daddy! Oh, Daddy!’
He gave her a hug, then held her at arm’s length, shaking his head at the sight of her face, before leading her back into the living area. ‘Tell me exactly what happened.’
She faltered through the tale, trying to minimize the night club incident, but he homed in on it and forced the truth out of her.
‘Not a good idea, princess. You’re married now, not single. I’d not let my wife go out clubbing without me, especially if she was as pretty as you.’
‘But Jamie doesn’t like dancing. He just wants to sit and read or watch TV. He’s working such long hours he’s always tired at night.’
‘Busy at work or needing the overtime?’
‘Both. I sometimes think he cares more about his stupid clients than he does about me.’ She looked at her father hopefully. ‘Can
you
go and see him? Persuade him to come back. Tell him I’ll do anything and—’
He held up one hand. ‘Not a good bargaining position. And you were stupid to smash his computer. I never thought you stupid, princess. How many times have I told you it never pays to let go of your temper?’
‘But you will go and see him?’
He looked at his watch. ‘I’ll go straight away.’
‘Can I come and stay at your place for a bit, just till Jamie comes back? It’s horrible here on my own.’
‘Sorry, princess. Geneva’s been a bit difficult lately and Tasha’s found her a flat. Tash wants us to live on our own from now on. We never have, you know.’
‘But I’m desperate, Daddy. I’ve never managed on my own before.’
He looked round. ‘You have a decent enough place to live, Rach, though I don’t know how you can live in such a pigsty. If you find it a bit difficult paying the rent, I’ll help out. We don’t have to make any final decisions about anything yet, do we? Let me go and see Jamie.’
She watched him drive away, then flung herself down in front of the TV, but started crying again. The box of tissues was empty, so she went to look for another one and found only two empty boxes. She’d bought some last week, surely? Or was it the week before? How did people keep track of all the stupid details of shopping? She went to get a toilet roll and used sheets of that to mop her eyes.
But the tears kept on coming.
Life sucked! Everything sucked. She couldn’t wait for Jamie to come back. Having him to organize her life was worth never going clubbing again, whatever her father said.
Craig pulled up outside Jamie’s parents’ house, relieved when he saw the car. He’d guessed right about where his son-in-law would go.
Mr Thomas senior opened the door. ‘Ah.’
When Jamie’s father didn’t immediately invite him in, Craig said, ‘I’d like to speak to your son, if that’s all right?’
‘I suppose you’d better come in. Go easy on him. He’s still very upset.’
‘So is Rachel. I’m sure we can sort this out.’
Mr Thomas turned round to call, ‘Craig Taylor’s here to see you, Jamie. I’ll show him into the front room.’
Craig waited in the room, which was so old-fashioned in décor and so cluttered with ornaments, it made his lip curl. When the door opened, he turned round and was surprised at how much older Jamie looked, and haggard, as if he hadn’t slept well. ‘How are you?’
‘All right. I suppose Rachel sent you.’
‘Yes. Can we sit down?’
Jamie waited till he’d sat, then took a chair on the opposite side of the table. ‘I shan’t change my mind, Craig. Rachel and I should never have married. We have nothing in common except sex.’
‘That’s a bit of a sweeping statement.’
‘It’s the simple truth. What’s more, your daughter is the biggest slob I’ve ever met. Her mother must have run round all day picking up after her. I’m not prepared to wait hand and foot on Rachel, or anyone else, nor see my hard-earned money thrown away on cocktails and clubbing.’
That was the clue. ‘It’s the clubbing that sticks in your gullet, isn’t it? Look, she’s learned her lesson there. Give her another chance. She won’t do it again. And her mother may have spoiled her a little, but—’
‘
Spoiled her a little?
That’s the understatement of the year. Have you ever lived on your own with your daughter?’
‘Well, no.’
‘Try it. She expects dirty clothes to wash themselves, can’t cook, doesn’t bother to shop and thinks money falls from heaven to get takeaway or eat out every night.’
Craig tried to think how to give this a bit of a spin, but couldn’t. ‘It’s not as bad as that, surely?’ was the best he could manage.
‘Yes, it is. Last week she bought a packet of new knickers rather than wash the dozens of dirty pairs that were lying piled up in the corner of the bedroom.’
‘She can learn to do the housekeeping better. If you two are in love, you can work through this and—’
‘In lust, more like. She threw my computer on the floor when I tried to pack, and hurled my shaver across the room. I’ve had to buy new ones.’ He looked very steadily at Craig. ‘I’m not going back to her, not for anything under the sun.’
‘And if she’s pregnant?’
‘Good try. But she’s not. She just had a period and we haven’t made love since.’ Jamie stood up. ‘I think that’s all we need to say, Craig. My lawyer will be in touch. I’ll make sure he contacts you as well. No doubt Rachel will be living with you from now on. She’s incapable of living on her own, that’s for sure.’
Craig prided himself on knowing when he’d lost an account, and this bore all the classic signs. He went out to his car, thinking hard, and it was a few moments before he started it up.
No way would Tasha allow Rachel to live with them. And even if he did insist, there would be one row after the other, so it wouldn’t be worth it.
Anyway, he’d seen the flat, seen the state his daughter was in, and Jamie was right: she was a slob. That was Molly’s fault. Could his ex do nothing right?
But what was he going to do about Rachel? He was fond of her, proud of how she looked. He’d have to give it some thought.
Euan got back at seven thirty. Molly felt her heart start beating faster when she saw his car pull up outside the caravan. She was apprehensive about spending the night with him, even though it was something she wanted very much. She went to unlock the door and wait for him.
He got out of the car and stretched.
‘Did you drive to London?’
‘Yes. It’s easier to take a car when you’re going here and there on the outskirts.’ He stopped to smile at her. ‘Do I have to say a magic password?’
She realized she was blocking the entrance and moved inside. ‘I’m a bit nervous.’
‘Ah, Molly, am I so fearsome?’
‘No. But I don’t want to disappoint you. I’ve only ever been with Craig, you see, and—’
‘Molly, you’re intelligent, fun, attractive, kind. Be proud of what you are.’
‘I wasn’t fishing for compliments.’
‘I wasn’t giving empty praise.’ He looked round. ‘It’s cosy, isn’t it? I’ve always felt good here.’
‘I love it, too. Do you want something to eat?’
‘Not till I’ve kissed you.’
He held out one hand and she took it, letting him pull her gently into his arms, raising her face for his kiss. This was more urgent than the others and she found herself responding, wanting more and forgetting to be shy or nervous, just losing herself in the loving.
Between caresses, they set up the double bed and when they lay down on it together, she felt so at home in his arms, she forgot to be nervous.
Afterwards she sighed with pleasure as they cuddled closely. When he would have switched on the light, however, she protested. ‘I’ve not got a young woman’s body and I never was a sylph.’
‘Who would ever want a scrawny woman when they can have you, Molly Peel? Soft and feminine, so easy to rouse.’ But he didn’t switch the light on, just pulled her close again.
They woke a couple of hours later, laughing at themselves and he admitted he was hungry for food now.
She put on her nightdress, her best one, a silky affair, but had to put an apron over it.
‘Now that is a very elegant look!’ he teased as he put on pyjama bottoms; couldn’t find the top half, so settled for a scruffy old tee shirt.
Together they made omelette and salad, eating it with crusty bread, and then, since he was still hungry, slathering apricot jam on the remaining bread.
‘We’re like that scene in the old Tom Jones movie.’ She licked her fingers slowly.
He chuckled and pulled her hand towards him, licking off a smear of jam and making her gasp.
‘We’re good in bed together,’ he said as he pushed his plate away.
‘Yes. It was great. I was so worried. I’m stupid, aren’t I?’
‘No. You’re normal. Taking a relationship into intimacy is a very important step. I think we both passed with flying colours, don’t you?’ He yawned and then laughed. ‘It may not be romantic but I’m exhausted, Molly, and I’d like nothing better than to sleep.’
‘I’m tired too.’ She fell asleep in his arms, woke in the middle of the night with a start, realized who she was with and smiled in the darkness, snuggling down again.
It felt wonderful not to be alone, even more wonderful that it was Euan lying beside her.
Tuesday was overcast, with rain threatening. It seemed a very suitable day for the funeral of his father, Stuart thought.
The service was short, then he and Wendy stood by his mother’s side at the crematorium as the curtains rolled silently round the coffin before it slid away for ever.
His mother had her head bowed. She’d wept steadily throughout the service, unable to contain her grief. He watched her anxiously, wondering how she’d cope with the gathering of mourners afterwards.
But by the time they arrived at the pub where he’d managed to book a private room, she was more composed. She laid one hand on his arm as she saw him looking at her anxiously. ‘I’ll be all right, darling. It’s a relief to have that part over. Getting through it was hard. Why do we inflict this public ritual on ourselves?’
She greeted the mourners, accepted condolences gracefully and sipped a glass of wine. If she ate very little, he wasn’t going to urge her to take more. He wasn’t feeling particularly hungry himself.
Afterwards, the family went back to his house in a taxi and his mother said, ‘Would you mind if I went home now, darling? I’m exhausted.’
‘Will you be all right? Do you want somebody to stay with you?’
‘I’d rather be on my own. I’ve got the buzzer and security pendant if I need help. That’s going to be such a comfort.’
‘I’ll walk you back, then.’
At the door he gave her a hug and she looked up at him anxiously. ‘You need to weep as well, you know.’
‘Not my style, Ma.’
‘It’s human nature. But have it your own way. Grief will catch you out sooner or later. It always does, even after you think you’ve moved on.’ She stretched up to kiss his cheek. ‘Thank you for all your help, darling.’
As he went back home, he decided to email Molly this very evening about buying her house. It’d be something positive to do.
Brian got a phone call from his sobbing sister and was startled to hear that Jamie had left her. He couldn’t believe the marriage had disintegrated so quickly.
‘Look, I’ll come round to see you after work tonight. No, I can’t take the day off! You can tell me all about it – unless you’ve made it up by then.’