Nadia Knows Best (33 page)

Nadia crashed through the doors of the ER like a bullet. The phone call from the hospital had given her the fright of her life.

“My sister's here somewhere, she was brought in by ambulance, they found her on a railway track.” She gabbled at the receptionist behind the desk. “Her name's Tilly Kinsella.”

Recognizing the name, a passing nurse said, “Oh, the little thirteen-year-old? She's having her stomach pumped just now. If you take a seat, someone will be out to speak to you in a few minutes.”

Nadia swung round in horror. “Her stomach pumped? You mean Tilly took an
overdose
?”

The nurse placed a reassuring hand on Nadia's. “She'd had rather a lot to drink. The doctors were having trouble treating her injuries, she was being a bit… well, uncooperative, shall we say? They'll come and have a word as soon as they've finished.”

“Can't I see her now?”

“Just be patient.” The nurse nodded toward the far corner of the waiting room. “That's her friend over there, the one who came in with her.”

Turning, Nadia said, “Cal.”

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, it wasn't my fault.” Cal flinched as Nadia loomed over him. White-faced, disheveled, and evidently still pretty much the worse for wear himself, he wailed, “I told her not to climb over the fence, but she wouldn't listen. And then she fell and landed on the track. I managed to pull her off, but there was blood on her face and I thought she was dead. I had to leave her and run to the nearest house to call an ambulance… I was so scared she'd crawl back onto the track and a train would come… but the doctor says it's just cuts and bruises, he thinks she'll be OK…”

“Cal, Tilly's thirteen. She doesn't drink. How did this happen?” Nadia tried not to picture Tilly, retching and struggling as her stomach was pumped. It made no sense at all.

“It wasn't me.” Fearfully, Cal blinked up at her. “Tilly wanted to get drunk. She was just so upset, in a real state. I couldn't stop her crying, then she opened the first bottle and said maybe drinking it would make her feel better. It wasn't my idea, I promise.”

Cal was looking terrible, bedraggled and mud-stained. His eyes were red-rimmed. He smelled of alcohol and Extra Strong mints with undertones of vomit.

“Upset? Why would Tilly be upset?
Why
was she crying?”

“Because she doesn't want to move to Brighton. She doesn't want to live with her mother and Brian and Tamsin. She wants to stay here”—Cal gestured dramatically around the decrepit waiting room—“with all of you.”

Dismayed, Nadia said, “Are you sure? So why's she going, then? Why doesn't she stay? Why didn't she
tell
us any of this?”

“Because she thinks you want to get rid of her.”

“
What?
”

Cal dropped his gaze to the floor. “She thinks she's in the way. A nuisance. She said you all hated her.” Defensively he added, “But I told her that wasn't true.”

Nadia felt sick. Sick and numb.

The nurse appeared and beckoned to her. “You can see Tilly now.”

Cal, almost in tears, said, “I'll wait here.”

Nadia searched in her jeans pocket, found a couple of pound coins, and slipped them into his hand. “Get yourself a drink.” Then with a brief smile, she indicated the machine against the wall. “Maybe just a Coke, this time.”

The sight of Tilly lying on the narrow bed in the curtained-off cubicle brought a lump to Nadia's throat. The sheets were rumpled, as if she'd been battling furiously with the nurses. Her face was as white as her hospital gown, apart from the bruises and the sizable cut above her left eye. Bending over, Nadia dropped a kiss on Tilly's hot forehead. Tilly opened her eyes and her face promptly crumpled.

“I'm sorry about breaking the glass… the mess on the rug…”

“Oh, please. I can't believe this has happened. How d'you feel?”

Tilly licked her dry lips. “Horrible. They stuck a tube down my throat. I kicked one of the doctors. I've got a headache and my back hurts and there's blood and mud all over my T-shirt.” She paused. “I suppose you're really cross with me.”

“Don't be daft. You just gave me a shock.” Nadia stroked her thin hand. “Tilly, why did you get drunk?”

A closed expression flickered over Tilly's face and she turned her head away. “No reason. Just to see how it felt.”

“Cal's outside. He told me what you said. Tilly, is it true?” Nadia gave her arm a little shake. “Are you only going to Brighton because you think we don't want you here?”

A tear leaked out of the corner of Tilly's closed eyes.

“Because that's just bollocks,” Nadia exclaimed. “I don't know how you can even
think
it. Tilly, we love you! We'd
all
rather you stayed, don't you know that?”

The tears were flowing faster now, dripping into Tilly's ears. “No one said it. Everybody j-just seemed really cheerful, like they didn't c-care. You all said it was up to me.”

“Here, wipe your ears.” Nadia grabbed a tissue from the box on the trolley behind her. “Sweetheart, we had to say that. Miriam drilled it into us. She told us we mustn't try and persuade you to stay because that wouldn't be fair on you. Leonie's your mother. If you wanted to be with her, we had to let you go. She said we weren't allowed to make you feel guilty.”

“Are you sure? Is that r-really true?”

“Of course it's true! But if you don't want to go anyway, we don't have to worry anymore. You can stay here and we'll
all
be happy.” Nadia gave her a hug so fierce that Tilly felt as if she was tumbling down the rocky slope all over again. Half of her wanted to burst with joy because she wasn't unwanted after all.

But there was still an obstacle in the way. In a small voice, Tilly said, “Mum won't be happy. She'll be devastated. She wants us to be a proper family… her and Brian, Tamsin and me. She said she needs me there… oh God, I can't let her down.”

Nadia marveled at Tilly's concern for her mother. Well, this was something she could certainly sort out.

“Don't worry about that. I'll explain everything to her. Just leave Leonie to me.”

Half an hour later James and Annie arrived at the hospital. The doctor informed them all that in view of the alcohol poisoning and the fact that Tilly had been briefly knocked out following her fall, they would be keeping her in hospital overnight.

Outside in the parking lot, Nadia tried to get through to Leonie on the phone, but the line had apparently been disconnected.

Joining her, Cal said anxiously, “What's going to happen now?”

“Two things.” Nadia stuffed the mobile back into her pocket. “Tilly's staying with us in Bristol.”

“Ace!” Despite his hangover, Cal beamed with delight. “What's the other thing?”

“Your parents are going to be wondering where you are. I'm giving you a lift home.”

***

Tilly was moved to the children's ward, the eye-watering amount of alcohol on her breath bizarrely at odds with the bright Winnie the Pooh murals on the walls.

“This place is for kids,” she mumbled.

“I've got news for you,” said James, as Annie rummaged in her handbag. “You are a kid.”

“Here.” Annie pulled out a brush. “Let me try and sort out your hair.”

Tilly relaxed, enjoying the way Annie patiently unsnarled the tangled bits. James and Annie were such a couple, it was as if they'd known each other forever.

“I messed up your night.”

“You're thirteen.” James sat on the edge of the bed. “It's what thirteen-year-olds do.”

“Are you really sure you don't mind if I stay?”

“Tilly, will you stop this? I was out of my mind with worry when Nadia called us tonight. You're family. You belong with us.”

“But I'm not family. Not really. And you've got Annie now, you don't need—”

“You're as much a part of me as Nadia and Clare. Every bit as much,” James said firmly. “And you're not going anywhere. Apart from anything else, I wouldn't have Annie if it wasn't for you. You organized that all by yourself.”

Tilly smiled with satisfaction up at Annie. “I suppose I did, didn't I?”

“If it wasn't for you,” James went on, “I'd still be calling in to that shop every night to buy an
Evening
Post
and wondering who that beautiful woman was behind the counter.”

“So you see?” Annie grinned at them both. “It's all thanks to you that he stopped going there and started coming to my shop instead.”

***

“Sorry, did I wake you?”

Nadia rubbed her eyes; she'd managed roughly an hour's sleep last night before the doorbell had jerked her out of a terrifying dream about custard and trains and clinging to a hospital trolley as it juddered over broken glass… Oh well, good job it wasn't real.

Jay was, though. It was nine o'clock in the morning and he was here on the doorstep clutching a manila envelope.

“Come on in, I'll put the kettle on. Is this about the new house?”

“Actually, I brought the photos for Clare. Is she around?”

Was he kidding? At nine in the morning? Clare would be out for the count until midday at the very least.

Nadia made the tea and duly admired the photos of the baby. Lots of newborns look like blobs but Daniel, thankfully, had quirky eyebrows, huge dark eyes, and a tuft of dark hair like Tin-Tin. Clare would be able to make him instantly recognizable in the portrait.

“He's beautiful,” said Nadia, because you always had to say that about a baby, even if it resembled a pickled walnut in a monkey suit. But actually this one didn't. Daniel was cute, with long eyelashes and dainty fingers and the sweetest pointy chin.

“Thanks. Even if he isn't mine,” said Jay. “You look terrible, by the way.”

“I'm allowed to look terrible. I have special dispensation.” Slumping down opposite him at the kitchen table, she told Jay about last night. “So anyway, it's all sorted out now. Well, almost.” Picking up her phone, she punched in Leonie's number for the tenth time. Still the monotone telling her it had been disconnected.

“Problem?” said Jay.

Nadia rubbed her face. “Can't get through to Leonie. I'll have to go and see her, explain what's happened. You don't need me today, do you?”

“I don't need you.” Did she detect a smidgen of not-so-hidden meaning in those words? “Where's Laurie?”

“Taken his dad to Kent to stay with his sister. Edward wanted to get away for a couple of days and Laurie hasn't seen his aunt for years. God”—Nadia stretched and yawned noisily—“it's all happening at once. Miriam didn't come home last night. She doesn't even know about Tilly yet.”

“You can't drive to Brighton,” said Jay. “Look at the state of you.”

“Thanks. Flattery'll get you everywhere.”

“I mean you're exhausted.”

“I don't have time to be exhausted. I promised Tilly I'd get this sorted out… oh bugger.” Nadia leapt back as coffee slopped down her front and over her jeans. A fair amount had also splashed onto the kitchen floor.

“Leave that,” said Jay as she rushed to the sink for a cloth. “I'll clear it up. You go and take a shower, change into something else. When you're ready, I'll drive you down to Brighton.”

Weak with relief, Nadia said, “Seriously?”

“Look at what happened when you picked up a cup of coffee.” Jay raised an eyebrow. “Now picture yourself trying to drive a car.”

“You'd make someone a lovely wife,” said Nadia with a grin.

“And put on something half decent,” Jay retaliated. “You look as if you slept in those clothes.”

Actually, she had.

“Cheek,” said Nadia.

The drive down to Brighton was stress-free. It was heaven not having to be behind the wheel. Having showered and changed into a short white skirt and orange strappy top, Nadia no longer felt like a vagrant. She'd even dolloped on some mascara and orangey-pink lipstick. The Stereophonics were belting out of the car radio, she was in the hands of a skilled driver, and her hair had managed to dry in ringlets like it was supposed to, instead of exploding into a ball of frizz.

Best of all, Jay hadn't mentioned Laurie once since setting out. Or Andrea. Instead, they had talked about Belinda and the baby, Tilly's close encounter with the railway track, and Jay's preliminary plans for Highcliffe House.

By the time they reached Brighton it was almost midday. Yesterday's rain had passed and the sun blazed down from a cloudless sky. As they drove along the crowded seafront, Nadia gazed longingly at the sea, cobalt blue and glittering like diamonds.

“Turn left up here,” she directed Jay. “Now right. On to the end. This is their street.”

“I'll wait in the Italian restaurant we just passed,” said Jay. “Meet me there when you've finished. Good luck,” he added as Nadia climbed out of the car.

She smoothed the creases out of her white denim skirt. “I don't need it. Leonie doesn't scare me.”

Nadia nevertheless braced herself for the histrionics when her mother found out why she was here. Leonie didn't take kindly to not getting her own way.

Leonie opened the front door and gaped. “Darling, good heavens, this
is
a surprise!” Peering over Nadia's shoulder she said, “Have you brought Tilly with you?”

“No. We've being trying to phone you.”

“Oh, the silly thing's on the blink. Don't tell me you drove all this way because you were worried about us.” Leonie's eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Not quite.” Taking a deep breath, Nadia followed Leonie into the house. “I'm here because Tilly isn't coming to live with you. She doesn't want to. We didn't realize because she didn't tell us until last night. She got drunk and ran off—”

“Tilly got
drunk
?”

“Very drunk. She ended up falling down a railway embankment and almost getting hit by a train. She's in the hospital,” Nadia rattled on, “but it's OK, just cuts and bruises, she's coming home today. But she's made up her mind,” she concluded firmly. “It's not fair to drag her away. I'm sorry, but Tilly's happy where she is. She's been with us since she was a baby and she doesn't want to move. So that's it, she's staying with us.”

Phew. Got it all out in one go. Now all she had to do was weather Leonie's hysterics and make her realize she meant business; no one was about to change their mind.

“Well.” Leonie leaned back against the fridge and shook her head. “That's a bolt from the blue.” Then she broke into a bright smile. “What a relief.”

Nadia thought she'd misheard. Either that or Leonie had somehow misunderstood.

“What?”

“Oh, come on, let's open a bottle of wine! After the time I've had, I deserve one.” Gaily, Leonie sloshed Rioja into a couple of glasses. “You wouldn't believe what's been going on here since I came back from Bristol. I'd suggest going out for lunch, darling, but I have to be here—the telephone repair man's coming round this afternoon to fix the phone. If you're hungry I could defrost a quiche.”

“I'm not hungry.” Still dazed, Nadia shook her head. “Where's Brian? And… um, Tamsin?”

“He's taken her to Sunderland, the little witch. That's it, she had her chance and she blew it. The police picked her up yesterday—she was with those ghastly druggy friends of hers, causing a public nuisance. Tamsin was caught shoplifting and got involved in a punch-up with the store manager. Well, it was the last straw for Brian. He's had it up to here with her. He phoned his ex-wife and told her she could jolly well have Tamsin back. Of course, Marilyn kicked up a bit of a fuss at first, but when he told her what her precious daughter's been getting up to recently, she realized she'd have to take her. To be honest, it's been a complete nightmare, darling. That girl's totally out of control. You should have heard her last night, the names she called us—and then she
ripped
the telephone socket out of the wall and chucked my CD player through the window! If you ask me, she needs a good slapping. She'll end up in prison, mark my words.”

Transfixed, Nadia said, “So why were you so keen for Tilly to move in with you?” Although she suspected she already knew.

“Oh well, it was Brian's idea really. One teenage girl mooching around the place is a pain in the neck. Tamsin kept complaining that she was bored. Brian thought that having Tilly here would improve things—Tamsin would have some company and Tilly could keep her on the straight and narrow. To be honest, I had my doubts from the start, but Tamsin seemed quite keen on the idea. Anyway, she's gone now, so all's well that ends well. We don't need Tilly anymore. Now, shall I pop that quiche in the oven or not?”

***

Jay was relaxing at one of the steel-topped tables outside the Italian restaurant, drinking a double espresso and reading the paper. His dark hair gleamed in the sunlight. He was wearing a black shirt and his long legs, in cream jeans, were stretched lazily out in front of him. He looked gorgeous.

“That was quick.” Glancing up as Nadia approached, he folded the paper and took off his dark glasses.

“I had to get out before I killed my mother.” Collapsing onto the chair opposite him, Nadia tore off a corner of the newspaper and began ripping it to pieces.

“It didn't go well?”

“She's unbelievable.” Nadia shook her head. “She never wanted Tilly in the first place. They just thought she'd come in useful as some kind of… baby-sitter. Oh, pweeugh.” Spluttering in disgust, she realized she'd just helped herself to Jay's sugarless espresso. “Sorry, didn't mean to do that. I just can't get over how completely selfish my mother is. All she ever thinks about is herself.”

“But it's sorted?” said Jay. “Tilly's staying in Bristol?”

“Forever. Until she's eighty-five at least. Then we
may
allow her to leave home.” Managing a smile, Nadia ran through the details of her encounter with Leonie. When she'd finished, Jay indicated the menu.

“Are you hungry?”

If he asked her if she fancied some quiche, she might have to stab him with a fork.

“I can think of something I'd much rather do.” As soon as the words were out, Nadia winced and shook her head. “Sorry, didn't mean it to come out like that.”

“Story of my life.” Jay's mouth tilted at the corners as he slid some coins onto the saucer on the table. “So what do you have in mind?”

Nadia flushed, remembering that Brighton was practically the dirty weekend capital of England.

“It just seems a shame to come all this way,” she told Jay, “and not have a paddle in the sea.”

It would have been nice to rip off her top and skirt and plunge into the waves. Nadia conjured up a mental image of herself, frolicking in the surf and looking fabulous. Except her lacy black bra was very obviously a bra and her Marks and Spencer knickers were bubble-gum pink.

Also, it was hard to frolic barefoot on slippery pebbles. And while the water may have looked sparkly and inviting, it was actually bitterly cold.

Jay had wisely waited for her on the beach. When she rejoined him less than two minutes later, he said, “Had enough?”

Nadia suspected he was laughing at her. Oh well.

“It's bloody freezing.” Reaching for her sandals, she shivered. “And the pebbles hurt my feet.”

“Ah well, that's the thing about the sea,” Jay remarked easily. “Sometimes it tricks you into thinking it's more fun than it really is.” He smiled briefly. “Never mind, everyone makes mistakes.”

***

Exhaustion caught up with Nadia on the journey back to Bristol. Last night's lack of sleep hit her like a house brick. It was warm in the car and Jay had turned the radio down low.

Satisfied that she had done what she'd come to Brighton to do, Nadia slept.

“Brace yourself for the welcome committee.” Jay woke her with a light hand on her arm, and she saw Clare and Tilly rushing out of the house.

“Is everything OK?” said Tilly, as Nadia jumped out of the car and hugged her.

“Never better. All sorted.”

“Was Mum upset?”

“Disappointed,” Nadia lied, exchanging a glance with Jay, “but she understood. She's fine about it. Anyway, how are you feeling?”

“Put it this way, hangovers are the pits.” Tilly pulled a face. “I don't know how you old people manage it—I'm never going to drink port and sherry and Tia Maria and Cointreau again.”

“Thanks for the photos,” Clare told Jay. “They're perfect. And the baby is gorgeous. Brilliant eyebrows.” Her smile broadened. “You can tell he's a Tiernan—he's going to be a real heartbreaker when he grows up.”

Nadia raised an eyebrow of her own; Clare was sounding positively flirtatious.

“You're not leaving?” Clare protested as Jay climbed back into the car. “Stay for dinner, we've got loads.”

“I have to get back. Business to take care of,” said Jay.

“You scared him off,” Nadia observed as the car disappeared down the driveway. “What was all that about?”

Clare shrugged, slightly miffed by Jay's unflatteringly speedy getaway. “Nothing, just being polite. Anyway, he's on the market, isn't he? And you're off it.”

Nadia frowned. “What?”

“Well, you've got Laurie now. You're sorted. Like I told Jay the other night—”

“Hang on. You told Jay I was with Laurie now?” Nadia felt as if she'd been kicked in the stomach.

“Well, why not? You
were
with Laurie, at that hotel.” Clare was indignant. “You can't have both of them, you know. It's not like when we were kids and you wouldn't let me even
watch
Duran Duran on TV because Simon Le Bon and John Taylor were both yours.”

“But—”

“You're not allowed to argue,” said Tilly bossily. “You have to be nice to each other. Remember what the doctor said,” she smugly reminded them. “I'm not to be upset.”