A Family Affair - First Born (21 page)

Kane’s eyes narrowed. “Sure thing, big brother.”

Tom followed him out and locked the front door once he was sure he was gone.

Ellen sat in the living room near the front door to wait.

Tom looked like a hollowed-out version of himself when he returned and sat down next to her.

“Do you really have a gun in the house?” she asked, unsure what to think of his threat. Kane hadn’t looked convinced, but the talk of guns was concerning.

Tom shook his head. “No. I can’t stand guns.” He hadn’t met Ellen’s eyes, and just sat there looking at his hands. “But to be honest with you, if I did have a gun in the house, I think I might have pulled it out just then. I have never felt so angry, so determined to hurt someone.”

They both sat in silence. Ellen didn’t know how to begin to explain that night, which seemed so long ago. Was their marriage strong enough to survive such a revelation? She hoped so.

“Is there something you are going to tell me, Elle? You said there was something you were hoping that you wouldn’t have to tell me.”

Ellen didn’t know how to start. “I don’t know how to say this. I’m so afraid that you won’t love me after I say the words aloud.”

“Just say it. I need to hear it quickly though. Don’t string it out.”

Ellen fought back the tears. She owed Tom an explanation, and didn’t want his pity. It was him that needed pity. This was going to hurt Tom much more than it hurt her to explain. She started to describe how the night with Kane had occurred and the DNA test she organised with Dr Walsh.”

“So the baby is mine?”

“Yes, I promise you it is. Dr Walsh sent me the paperwork to prove it’s not Kane’s child, and there was no one else. I love you, Tom. I’m sorry if I’ve ruined things between us, but the baby is yours. I will never take that away from you, I promise.”

Tom was quiet and thoughtful. He was about to say something when they both heard raised voices coming from the courtyard in front of the house.

“What the hell?” said Tom, standing up to investigate. He ran to the front door, and Ellen quickly followed behind, when something heavy hit the ground.

“Jack, no,” screamed Nikki.

Tom and Ellen raced out of the house to find Nikki screaming over Jack’s body on the ground, a bottle of wine still clasped in his hand. Kane was only metres away, staring at them both wide-eyed.

“Jack, I’m sorry,” Nikki said weeping. “Jack, come back to me.” She looked hopelessly towards Tom. “I came back because I needed to talk to Kane. I didn’t know Jack had arrived. He came up behind me. He must have heard everything, and then he just collapsed.”

Margaret was at home making orange marmalade before the call had come through. It was a family recipe that she made each year to keep the shelf stocked.

Tom had delivered the unwelcome news. Jack had collapsed at his house during a luncheon, and had been rushed to hospital. Despite everyone’s efforts, Jack had been pronounced dead by the time he arrived at the hospital.

Apparently he had discovered that his new wife was having an affair. It was obviously a shock for Jack’s system, and he collapsed after hearing the news. Margaret did not find the affair strange, given how mismatched they were as a couple. What was surprising was that Nikki chose Jack’s son with whom to carry on; even more astonishing was the announcement of her unplanned pregnancy. 

Tom had organised most of the funeral details, although Margaret had insisted on choosing the flowers. Her care was paying dividends, as the vases looked perfectly lovely in the church. They created just the right atmosphere for remembering her late husband. Jack would have approved.

Apart from critiquing the floral arrangements, Margaret spent much of the funeral watching her son interact with his new wife. She sensed something was going on there. Tom and Ellen were sitting next to each other certainly, but there was a tension which was new. Of course, with Ellen’s baby well on the way, her son was tied to the woman now. It was smart of the girl to get pregnant so quickly, she conceded. Tom was loyal if nothing else. Even if their marriage was a complete disaster, which Margaret suspected it would be, he would never leave her now.

There were a lot of people in the church, and it was difficult to see if Jack’s second wife, or the little witch as Margaret now referred to her, was here. Margaret hoped not, as she did not want any scenes at the funeral. Of course, everyone knew about Nikki’s affair with Kane by now, and neither of them was welcome as a result. If Margaret spotted either one of them, it would be difficult for her to remain calm. She hoped they had the decency to stay away.

From Margaret’s perspective, the affair between Nikki and Kane made sense on some levels. Those two kids were closer in age in any case. Apparently Kane wanted nothing more to do with Nikki since their affair was discovered. It was a sorry tale which resulted in Jack’s death. Margaret took a deep breath. If only the little witch hadn’t married Jack in the first place.

Once the formal part of the funeral was over, Margaret collected her things, and prepared to depart for the cemetery. Jack was going to be buried in the Bradley plot next to all four of their parents. It was what he would have wanted.

Margaret had invited a smaller number of friends and family to the cemetery in order to say goodbye to Jack in a more intimate setting. Tom drove her to the plot, and on arrival she was pleased to see that Nikki was not there. People took their turn to drop earth onto Jack’s casket and say their goodbyes. When Margaret’s turn came, she stood above him, silent for a few moments.

“Jack,” she whispered. “You know that I am sorry. I knew that you were sorry. I’m glad we had the time to reconcile our differences. I will miss you, my love.”

The finality of Jack’s passing was only just starting to dawn on Margaret, and she sobbed into one of her hand-embroidered silk handkerchiefs. Tom’s broad arms suddenly found her. It had been a long time since she had felt this close to him, and it was comforting. Thank goodness Tom was there.

“Let’s go for a walk, Mum,” he suggested, leading her away from the plot.

Tom led them to a small grassy bank in the middle of the cemetery. Old birch trees lined the path, and Margaret knew it wouldn’t be long before their leaves started to turn orange. Perhaps she should consider donating money to the cemetery’s garden program. Margaret realised there were other issues she needed to think through. She dried her eyes so she could talk to her son properly. “Tell me something, Tom.”

“Yes.”

“What is going on between Ellen and you?”

Tom looked surprised with the question. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t be coy, son. It’s me. I can tell from looking at the two of you that something is wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong.”

“Poppycock! I don’t wish to be the last person to hear about whatever is going on.”

Tom took a deep breath. “Mother.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not going to discuss my marital issues with you.”

“So there are issues.”

“There is nothing for you to worry about.”

“Please, Tom.”

“Let’s not do this. Ellen and I are going to be fine. I love her and we are committed to staying together, regardless of the bumps in the road. This can’t be what is foremost in your thoughts today. Please tell me that it is not.”

“If you’re implying that your father isn’t on my mind, well... you don’t need to worry about that. Of course, he is. The whole situation is on my mind.”

“How do you mean?”

Margaret paused. “I still don’t understand why he had a heart attack.”

“You know why - he found out his wife had been cheating on him.” Tom said the word wife with loathing. He obviously didn’t want anything to do with the little witch now either. “And what’s more – it was with his own son.”

“I don’t think that’s it,” Margaret said, with conviction.

“No?” Tom obviously thought differently.

“No.”

“Why, Mother?”

“Their marriage was not going well. An affair would not have troubled him as much as you might think.”

“And who told you that?”

“He did of course.”

“He was confiding in you?” Tom said in surprise. From his tone, he obviously didn’t believe her.

“Yes, towards the end.”

“Maybe you misunderstood something he said. I can’t believe he was doing that.”

“I wasn’t always the best wife. I’m not too proud to admit that. But since the divorce, we started to talk. I mean, really talk to each other – more than during the last ten years of marriage. We were meeting for coffee every now and again. He used to tell her he was playing golf, apparently. It felt like the time when we were first dating. I missed him, you know, after he married that horrid young woman.”

“And therefore, you don’t think Dad was too bothered when he found out about Nikki’s affair?”

“No, but...”

“But what?”

“Well, that’s what I don’t understand. The man I knew shouldn’t have cared that she cheated on him, yet he did have a heart attack. Something doesn’t add up.”

“Hmmm.”

“I think there is a very good chance we would have remarried.”

Tom raised his eyebrows. “Really?”

“Yes. Last week he asked me for the details of my divorce lawyer. Silly old fool went and died before he could make everything right.”

“Well, it’s an interesting theory. I guess it doesn’t matter now.”

“I want to know what happened in your courtyard. I want to know what was said.”

“Well, there are two people you can ask, Mother.”

Margaret narrowed her eyes. Tom was obviously not going to do her bidding, and there was no way that she could ask. “I couldn’t even look at either of them.”

Tom stood up. “Well, you are looking less emotional now, Mother. Would you like to head back to the gravesite and say goodbye to people.”

“Yes. I’m glad you are here, Tom. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For caring about your mother. I love you, son.”

“I love you too, Mum. I’ll always be here for you. Both Ellen and I will.” Margaret ignored that last comment.

As they rounded the bend in the path, she could tell that a few people had left, and a few more people had arrived. But there was a middle-aged couple whom she did not recognise. “Who are they, Tom? The lady in the red shirt, and the man in the grey suit.”

Tom looked in the direction she indicated. “Ah, that’s Nikki’s parents – Janet and Ken Lucas. I remember them from Dad’s party. Don’t make a scene. They have probably come to pay their respects.”

“I can’t believe they’d have the nerve...”

“Now, Mother... today is not a day for conflict.”

Margaret’s pulse started to race. “No, no... I’m not happy with them being here. I’m going to ask them to leave.”

Tom rolled his eyes, not wanting to argue any further. He didn’t have to worry. She would be discreet but firm.

Margaret was surprised to see Janet look in her direction as she approached. Did this woman know who she was? In any case, Janet and Ken were about to learn a valuable lesson in social etiquette – you do not show up at your son-in-law’s funeral if your daughter i
s responsible for his death.

Just as Margaret was about to unleash a tidal wave of built-up frustration at the unsuspecting couple, Janet surprised her by clinging onto her arm. “Oh, Margaret,” Janet said. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“How do you know who I am?” Margaret demanded.

“Well, I just assumed. You are Jack’s first wife Margaret, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Of course I am.”

“I came here today to tell you how ashamed we are of Nikki’s behaviour. We do not condone it, and we have told her so. My husband and I are very sorry for the pain Nikki has caused your family.”

Margaret’s anger was dissipating rapidly. Nikki was obviously nothing like her mother – who seemed to understand morals and to know which boundaries in life shouldn’t be crossed. The apology seemed genuine. Perhaps it was okay for Nikki’s parents to be here after all.

“Thank you,” Margaret said awkwardly. “I appreciate your words.”

“This whole situation is desperately wrong,” Janet added. “I’m not handling it very well myself. For the first time in my life, I am embarrassed by my daughter’s decisions.”

“What do you mean?” Margaret was becoming more curious.

“Nikki tells us that she is in love with Kane.”

“Tom tells me that Kane doesn’t want anything to do with her.”

“I didn’t know that. Well, if it’s true, she will need to accept his decision. It’s a sorry mess. How are your sons handling their father’s death? I see Tom is here.”

“Tom is my only son.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I said, Tom is my only son. Tom is handling the death of his father with dignity, although I imagine, on the inside, he is suffering as we all are. He has been a tower of strength to me during the past few days.”