Paradise Fields (20 page)

‘It's only an hour and a half on the train. I could still do all those things.'

‘I suppose so. Right, let's get the oven on.'

‘But you've got a range! Aren't you going to cook the cake in that?'

Nel shook her head. ‘If you're going to question everything I do, you can go home. Now, wash your hands, please.'

He gave her a look which told her that bossing him about probably wasn't a good idea. It provoked a smouldering sort of glower which promised retribution of a kind Nel had forsworn. ‘How do you like your tea?' she added quickly.

Fleur came home while they were waiting for the cakes to cook. She breezed in, chattering the moment she got through the door, unaware that her mother was not alone.

‘Oh,' she said, silenced halfway through a diatribe against the amount of research they were expected to do, ‘when it's Art, for Godsakes!' She came to a sudden halt when she saw first that her mother was not alone, and second who her companion was. ‘Umm – making another cake, Mum? I thought you did that yesterday.'

‘I did—'

‘There was an accident. All my fault,' said Jake, who was sitting at the table carving letters from rolled out liquorice all-sorts. ‘That's why I'm helping your mother make another.'

Nel was grateful for the interruption of Fleur's arrival; she thought Jake had been about to bring up the subject of that Saturday night. There were lots of reasons why she didn't want to talk about it, mostly because she didn't want him to thank her for understanding it was a one-night stand, and that was all. She knew the truth but she didn't want to discuss it with Jake.

‘Fleur, this is Jake Demerand. Jake, my daughter, Fleur.'

Jake got up and took hold of Fleur's hand. ‘Hi.'

‘Hi.' Fleur wasn't easily silenced, but the sight of a man she herself had described as gorgeous in her kitchen, with her mother, did the job – for a few seconds at least.

‘Cup of tea, darling?' said Nel. ‘Jake, another one?'

‘I'm awash. Why don't I open the wine now?'

A glass of wine sounded wonderful. Nel glanced at the kitchen clock. It was after six. ‘Better not. I'll have to drive you back to your car soon. In fact, I could do it now. Fleur will help me with the cake.'

‘If you think I'm going to let you do the fun part on
your own after I've carved out the name, you're in for a surprise. I'll take a taxi home later.'

‘Mm, wine, good idea,' said Fleur. ‘I'll just get the corkscrew from my bedroom.'

Simon would have given Nel an ‘I know you're doing your best, but it must be very difficult for you, bringing up teenagers without a father' look. Jake just burrowed about for wine glasses. It was really odd, Nel reflected, hunting in another cupboard for Bombay mix and crisps, how easy it was to be with Jake. He was a hotshot London lawyer and she had slept with him. Not only that, he represented the enemy, literally, with regard to the water meadows. And yet having him in her kitchen, chatting to her dogs, rummaging in her cupboards, was somehow fine.

‘Why were you late home?' enquired Nel when Fleur reappeared.

‘Oh, I was in town. I bought some black trousers.'

‘So how many pairs is that now?'

‘Eleven,' said Fleur promptly. ‘I couldn't get to sleep the other night and I counted. Lots I just keep for messing around in.'

‘When will the cakes be cool enough to ice?' asked Jake.

‘Not for ages,' said Fleur. ‘But we can take them outside if you like. They'll cool quicker there. It's freezing.'

‘OK. I'll take the big one, and you tell me where we can put them.'

‘Don't put them where the foxes can get them!' called Nel as Jake and Fleur disappeared through the back door.

While she was alone she looked frantically in the
freezer. She'd have to cook something for them all to eat, but what?

Fortunately, the farm she had visited had given her a whole tray of cracked eggs, and in spite of the cake, there were still plenty left.

‘Spanish omelettes all right for supper?' Nel asked, when Jake and Fleur came back in having found a place for the cakes which they could observe from the kitchen.

‘Oh great, my favourite! Thanks, Mum!' said Fleur, giving her mother a squeeze which was not only affection, but contained quite a lot of ‘doing all right there, girl!' about it, too, as she went through to the sitting room and turned on the television. Nel had never been in this position with her daughter before, and she wasn't sure if it was funny or embarrassing.

‘I really like them too,' said Jake. ‘Does that mean I can hug you as well?'

Nel found herself blushing and hoped he wouldn't notice. ‘No. You can peel potatoes. Do you want a knife or a peeler?'

‘A peeler. Do you really think you can just pretend Saturday night didn't happen?'

‘The world is divided into people who do potatoes with knives, and those who like peelers. I like peelers myself.'

‘Stop rambling and answer the question.'

Nel stopped gathering crumbs with her cloth. ‘No. And I'm not pretending it didn't happen. I'm just never referring to it again.'

‘But why not? It was fabulous. At least, it was for me, and I kind of got the impression you liked it too.'

‘I did! But can we please not talk about it?' She gestured towards the sitting room.

‘I'm sure she knows the facts of life.'

‘Yes! But not the facts of
my
life!'

He laughed. She wished he wouldn't do that. It made his eyes crinkle and his eyelashes appear particularly curly.

‘Seriously,' she went on. ‘We can't talk about it now. Or ever!'

‘That's ridiculous. We need to talk about it. We had unprotected sex.'

Nel kicked the door to. ‘Please! Don't say things like that in front of my daughter! It's hard enough trying to make sure she has morals and things without her finding out that her mother is a slut!'

‘You are not a slut!'

‘And you are not to discuss what happened between us with my daughter in the house!'

‘Fair enough. Come out for a drink with me then.'

‘No!'

‘You're being ridiculous! Either we talk about it now, or you come out with me and we talk about it elsewhere.' Up to this point he had sounded remarkably good-natured in the face of her stubbornness, but there was definitely an edge to his voice now.

‘We can't have' – aware that she was getting agitated, she lowered her voice – ‘a relationship. There's no point in discussing Saturday night.'

Jake crossed the room and opened the door to the sitting room. ‘Agree to come out with me, or I tell Fleur everything.'

‘That's blackmail! You can't expect me to give in to that!' She was nervous, but she didn't really think Jake would tell Fleur.

‘Fleur!' said Jake. Nel went cold suddenly. ‘Tell your
mother you wouldn't mind at all if she went out for dinner with me.'

Fleur turned round, trying to suppress a smirk. ‘Of course I don't mind, Mum. You're old enough to make up your own mind about these things. Just don't come back too late and make sure you've got your homework done first.'

Nel made a sound like a tennis player who's just hit a really hard ball. It didn't quite sum up her feelings of exasperation, but it helped. It also made it clear to Jake and Fleur what she felt about them.

‘So, get out your calendar and we'll make a date,' said Jake.

‘And what am I supposed to tell Simon I'm doing?' she asked, not expecting an answer.

‘That you're meeting with the solicitor representing the Hunstantons,' said Jake.

Fleur got up from in front of the television and came into the kitchen. ‘Tell him you're discussing tactics.'

‘What? I'm asking the solicitor for help in saving the fields? I don't think so.'

‘Why do you have to tell him anything?' said Fleur, picking a cube of fried potato out of the pan. ‘You're not engaged or anything, are you? Just go out with who you want!'

Jake raised an eyebrow and sort of smiled. The combination was too much. She opened her mouth to say she didn't want to go out with Jake, but she didn't, she just stood with it open.

‘I really think it's important that you keep abreast of all developments, as they happen,' said Jake.

‘So do I,' said Fleur.

‘Very well,' she snapped, trying not to respond to the
two sets of twinkling eyes which regarded her. ‘But there had better be some developments – good ones!'

‘Oh, I think I can guarantee that.'

Nel blushed furiously and tried to frown at Jake without Fleur noticing.

He raised his eyebrows briefly, confirming he really had meant what she'd thought he'd meant. ‘Right, where's this calendar then.' Jake then took the calendar, which was designed for families, and mostly full of dentist and vet appointments for the children and dogs (the animals had their own column) and meetings for Nel, and found a slot. ‘You don't seem to be doing anything Friday next week? I'm working in London, but I could be down for seven. We could meet up at eight? That suit you?'

Nel shrugged. ‘Fine. My feelings on the matter obviously aren't important.'

‘Mum!' Fleur was shocked. ‘That's a bit rude.'

‘Sorry. I'm just a bit worried. Do you know that the hospice roof needs replacing and it's going to cost thousands?' she said to Fleur.

‘How awful. Shall I make a salad?'

‘That would be lovely. The potatoes and onion are done, I'll just have a look for something meaty to put in.'

By the time they sat down to eat, they had opened another bottle of wine Fleur had produced from somewhere. Nel put her hand over her glass. ‘I've still got to ice the cake. I've got to keep my wits about me.'

‘But you've got us to help you, Mum. It'll be fun. Do you think I can take a picture of it and add it to my portfolio? Cake is art, isn't it?'

‘Oh, I'm sure it is. Fine art, even,' said Nel, who didn't really care about art at that precise moment. She was tired and worried.

‘Have another glass of wine,' said Jake. ‘Iron is good for women.'

Nel scowled at him. It may have been true, but she didn't like him knowing too much about women. It would give him too much insight into her own character, and would indicate a lively past. A lively past didn't make him any less attractive, but it made her feel even more out of her depth with him. ‘Have some salad. It's good for men.'

Jake laughed again. If only he wouldn't do that, thought Nel.

After the meal Jake said to Nel, ‘You go and sit down. We'll make coffee and clear up, won't we, Fleur? Then we can get going on the cake.'

‘Yes, off you go, Mum,' agreed Fleur. ‘Do you want ordinary tea or mint?'

‘Mint,' she said. ‘I sense I'm going to get indigestion.'

‘I hate to say this,' said Nel, a couple of hours later, ‘but I'm not sure this cake isn't better than the first one.'

‘I'm definitely taking a picture of it,' said Fleur. ‘I need to bulk up my portfolio. I could even make a cake as my final piece.'

‘Well, I'm very proud to have had a hand in it,' said Jake. ‘I've never seen such a fantastic paddle-steamer in my life. It's beautiful.'

‘You've both been wonderful,' said Nel. ‘I couldn't have done half so well without you.'

Jake caught her eye and held it. ‘I'm almost pleased the first one got ruined.'

As she'd been in danger of thinking something similar herself, Nel contradicted him hurriedly. ‘Well, it's nice to have the chance to do things better.' She yawned, suddenly overcome with fatigue.

‘You're tired. Would you like me to go?'

Nel had been enjoying herself. It had been fun, doing the cake with Jake and Fleur, who seemed to get on terrifyingly well, but it wasn't real. Playing with icing and eating chocolate buttons would entertain him for an evening, but he would soon tire of the everyday, cornflakes-but-no-milk sort of life which was hers. He was London restaurants, bachelor flats and beautiful suits, not hairy sofas and dogs being sick on the carpet. Eventually, the warp and weft of her life would irritate him, and eventually, he would break her heart. It was harsh, but it was the truth and reality was sometimes a bitter pill, which had to be chewed thoroughly, not swallowed and then forgotten.

‘Well, it has been fun and you have been extremely helpful with the cake. But the birthday party is tomorrow and I've got loads of things to organise for it.'

‘I did make a lot of hard work for you, didn't I?'

Fleur had disappeared, probably to the bath, and they were alone. ‘You didn't mean to.'

He reached for her but she held him off so he only got hold of her wrists. It was enough to send her heart racing and make her short of breath. He looked as if he was considering kissing her. Terrified of what would happen if he did, she pulled free. ‘Are you coming to the party tomorrow?'

‘I can't,' he said. ‘I've got to be in London all day. I'm getting the early train.'

‘Then you should go. Let's phone you a taxi.'

‘It's all right, I can walk into town from here. Burn off the chocolate buttons. Nel—'

‘I really don't want to talk about it.'

‘I was only going to make arrangements about Friday.'

‘I don't think we should do Friday.'

‘I think we should definitely do Friday.'

She was too tired to argue with Jake as well as with herself. She sighed and gave in to both her opponents. ‘Oh, OK.'

‘I'll pick you up here, at eight. Say goodbye to Fleur for me.'

Then he kissed her cheek and let himself out of the door.

Nel closed her eyes, staying quite still, as if that way she could hold on to the moment. Then she ran up the stairs and shouted to Fleur through the bathroom door, ‘Will you leave it in for me? I'm still covered with mud and sugar.'