Red Letter Day (12 page)

'Yes, Fergus told him. I don't think he had much choice. He's been in such a foul mood he had to explain why.'

'Then between us I'm sure we can sort things out and make sure that Celine stays.'

Rose watched him, a speculative gleam in her eye. 'I think you have a soft spot for your new tenant.'

Richard grinned. 'She's very easy on the eye.'

Rose's eyes narrowed. 'You behave yourself. That girl has had enough heartache without you adding her to your list of conquests.'

Richard raised an eyebrow. 'I don't know what you mean.'

'Oh yes you do.'

'It's not my fault that women chase me all the time,' he protested.

'It's a hard life.'

Richard scowled. 'It is. Sometimes I think it would be easier to invent a wife.'

'Or you could actually get married.' Rose suggested.

Richard shivered. 'Let's not get carried away. Anyway, who'd put up with me?'

'You've got a point.'

'Thanks, Rose. You know, I bet Celine Moore could be fun if she ever let herself go.'

'Richard.' Rose shot him a warning look.

He held up his hands in surrender. 'I'll behave myself, I promise!'

Rose got slowly to her feet. 'I'll hold you to that. Now I must get on.'

Richard opened his paper. 'Bye, Rose, and don't worry so much. I'm sure things will work out fine.'

'I wish I had your confidence.'

Richard watched her cross the road and disappear into the shop. An hour ago he had been quite sure everything would be okay but after Fergus's odd change of heart over the job, he wasn't so sure. Richard was convinced that Fergus was as straight as they come and there was no doubt that he adored his mother, so why was he stalling over the job? Richard had seen the expression on his face when he'd first told him about it — he'd been delighted. That rubbish about not wanting to work behind a counter was bullshit. So what was the truth?

Shortly after Rose had opened up, Celine came downstairs. 'Morning,' Rose called before bustling into the back room. Celine took a deep breath and followed her. 'Rose, I'd like to talk—'

'Yes, love, of course, but I'm in a bit of a rush right now.' And before Celine could say another word, Rose hurried past her out of the shop and into her car.

Celine stood looking after her. Rose was obviously avoiding her but she was just putting off the inevitable, Celine had to leave. She hated letting Rose down. In the few days she'd known her, Celine was impressed with her as a businesswoman and in awe of her courage in the face of such obvious pain. If only she weren't
his
mother. A small woman struggling to push open the door interrupted her thoughts. Celine hurried to help her.

'Thank you, dear. Lovely to see you again.'

Celine frowned. 'Hello.'

The woman laughed. 'Mary Boyle, remember? From the garage.'

'Of course! How are you?'

'Fine, fine. I just dropped by to see how you were getting on.'

'You're very kind.'

'And to bring you this.' Mary shoved a Tupper-ware box into her arms.

Celine's eyes widened as she peeked inside. 'Shepherd's pie!'

'I know what you single girls are like when you live alone. Live on crackers and coffee, don't you? That's my own recipe, freshly made this morning.'

'I'll have it this evening,' Celine promised and carried it into the back room.

'Ten minutes in a warm oven is all it needs.' Mary was close on her heels.

Celine jumped. 'Great, thanks.' She edged towards the door but Mary was taking off her coat and sitting down.

'It may be spring,' she said, 'but the breeze out there would skin a cat.'

Celine groaned inwardly. 'Would you like a cup of tea?'

'Oh, thank you, dear, that would be lovely!'

Celine put on the kettle and took out cups and saucers — Mary didn't look like the mug sort — occasionally pausing to stick her head into the shop.

'Don't worry, you'll hear the bell if you have any customers,' Mary told her.

Celine smiled through gritted teeth. 'Of course.'

'Are you settling in all right?'

'Yes, thanks. Just a few teething troubles with the immersion.'

'My Gerry could take a look at that for you.'

'That's okay, my landlord, Richard Lawrence, fixed it.'

Mary grunted. 'Did he indeed? Well if there's anything else needs doing you just let me know. My Gerry can turn his hand to anything.'

Celine suppressed a smile. 'Thanks, I'll remember that.'

'You must come to tea,' Mary decided. 'What about Sunday?'

'Eh, well, there's still a lot to do and . . .' Celine stammered as she poured the tea.

'Next week then.' Mary looked with patent disapproval at the packet of biscuits. T have a lovely shortcake recipe. I'll drop it in the next time I'm passing.'

Celine smiled and prayed fervently for a customer to walk through the door.

'Rose was never into baking.'

'She's a very busy woman.' Celine jumped immediately to her boss's defence.

Mary sipped her tea. 'Aren't we all?'

The doorbell chimed before Celine could reply. Saved by the bell, she thought, before muttering her excuses and hurrying into the shop. 'Can I help you?' she asked the attractive thirty-something who was working her way through the rails.

The woman smiled briefly and returned to the job at hand. 'Just looking, thanks.'

Celine sighed. 'Call if you need me,' she said and went back to Mary Boyle.

She was delighted to see the woman was on her feet and hurried to hold her coat.

Mary patted her cheek. 'I must be going. You're very pretty but you really need to put on a few pounds. Make sure and eat that pie.'

'I can't wait.'

Mary looked pleased as she went back through the shop. 'Now drop in and let me know when you can come to tea.'

'Okay then.' Celine opened the door.

'And remember to call Gerry if you need anything.'

'I will,' Celine promised.

'Goodbye then, dear, take care.'

'Bye.' Celine stood in the doorway and waved as Mary Boyle made her way back up the road.

Dominic emerged from next door with Fergus behind him. 'Morning, Celine! How are you getting on?'

Celine stood rooted to the spot.

Fergus muttered something about the loo and retreated inside.

Dominic looked embarrassed. 'I'm sorry about that. Fergus has been doing his damnedest to stay out of your way.'

'So you know?'

'Yes, he filled me in. It's a very small world, isn't it?'

Celine's smile was bitter. 'It certainly is.'

'If there's anything I can do—'

She shook her head. 'There's nothing anyone can do, Dominic. Not now.'

Marina groaned as she heard the post drop on the floor. 'Joshie, would you get the post for Mummy?'

No reply.

'Joshie?' Marina took off her rubber gloves and walked into the living room. Josh was still in his pyjamas, sprawled on the floor, watching Pokemon. Marina frowned. 'Darling, you know Mummy doesn't like you watching that.'

No reply.

'Joshie, aren't you listening to me?'

Joshie turned to give her a heart-stopping smile. 'Yes, Mummy?'

Marina melted. 'Turn the television off after that programme is finished, okay?'

'Yes, Mummy.'

'Good boy.' She tousled his hair as she went out into the hall. The carpet was strewn with brown envelopes. Marina bent to pick them up, carefully keeping her eyes averted. She brought them into the kitchen and stuffed them into a drawer with the others. Josh came in, rubbing his eyes. 'Can we go somewhere nice, Mummy?'

'Maybe the park.' Marina put the rubber gloves back on and went back to cleaning the worktops.

Josh kicked a chair. 'The park's boring.'

'Of course it isn't, darling.'

'Let's go to the cinma.'

'Cin-e-ma,' Marina corrected. 'No, not today, Joshie. Mummy can't afford it.'

'What's afford mean?'

Marina shook her head and smiled. 'Never you mind.'

'So can we go?'

'No, Josh. I know, why don't we go and see Granny?'

Josh gave the chair another kick. 'I suppose.'

'Come on, you know you always have a good time in Granny's. Maybe she'll have baked some of her wonderful apple tart.'

Josh brightened. 'Okay. Can I bring my Action Man?'

'Sure.'

'And my cars?'

'Of course.'

'And my race track?'

'Yes, Josh, whatever you want.' Marina rubbed at a stubborn stain, then peeled off the gloves. 'Now let's go and get dressed.'

An hour later, Josh was running up Kay's driveway while Marina unloaded the boot.

Kay opened the door and forced a bright smile. 'Hello, darling.' She bent to gather a reluctant Josh into her arms. Her heart sank as she watched Marina stagger towards her, her arms full of toys. 'Hi, Mum. Just thought we'd drop by and say hello.'

'Lovely.' Kay took the track from her and set it up in the living-room. She did a quick glance round the room to see if there were any breakables within Josh's reach then went out to the kitchen to put on the kettle. 'How are things?' she asked her daughter.

Marina sighed. 'Quiet.'

Kay turned to look at her. Beautiful and immaculate as ever, Marina had telltale shadows under her eyes and she looked frail. 'No work?'

Marina shook her head. 'No, but then it's a bad time of the year. Give it a week or so and I'll be modelling hats for Easter. It's probably just as well I'm not busy. This is the first afternoon this week that Josh hasn't had some class or other. His life is busier than mine.'

Kay set the table with homemade buns and chocolate bars. Marina bit into a bun and licked her lips. 'These are gorgeous.'

Kay smiled. 'They were always your favourite. Josh, come and have something to eat.'

Josh rushed out to the kitchen, his eyes lighting up when he saw all the goodies. Kay handed him a plate. 'Take what you like, love.'

'Just one of each,' Marina told him as he made a grab for the buns.

'Can I bring them inside?'

Kay thought of her lovely cream carpet. 'I tell you what, you can pretend you're having a picnic.' She took a check tablecloth and spread it on the living-room floor.

Josh carried his plate in and Kay followed with a cup of milk.

'Thanks, Granny.'

He smiled up at her and Kay softened. 'You're welcome, love.'

'You're great with him,' Marina said when Kay returned to the kitchen.

Kay pushed the buns at her daughter. 'Have another, you're very thin. And you look tired. Is everything okay?'

Marina shrugged. 'The bank manager is banging at my door and it's not with a cheque.'

Kay's face filled with concern. 'Oh, Marina!'

'I'm exaggerating, Mum, it will be fine. I'm just a little behind on the mortgage.' And the insurance, and the electricity and the phone, she added silently.

Kay stirred her tea in silence and then with a deep breath she put the spoon in the saucer and looked her daughter in the eye. 'Why don't you move in here?'

Marina lowered her cup. 'Are you serious?'

Kay nodded. 'It makes sense. This house is easily big enough for three. The money from selling your house would pay off all your debts and give you a nest egg. And you'd have a live-in babysitter whenever you needed one.'

'I don't know what to say,' Marina sat staring at her. 'Don't you think we'd hate each other after a week?'

Kay laughed. 'It would take time to adapt but if we gave each other space I think we could cope.'

'What about Josh? I know you love him, Mum, but he's not always easy.'

Kay forced a smile. 'I'm sure I'd lose my temper sometimes and give him the occasional swat on the bum—'

Marina froze.

'And you'd have to let me, Marina, or it would never work. Josh needs to know who's boss.'

Marina nodded reluctantly.

'So what do you think?' Kay held her breath. She had no idea what had made her make such an offer and she knew she'd probably live to regret it but Marina was her daughter and she was in trouble.

'What about men?' Marina asked.

'Yours or mine?' Kay asked and they both laughed. 'I'm sure that I could absent myself from the premises occasionally but I don't want to meet anyone at breakfast.'

Marina looked shocked. 'Of course not!'

'Anything else?'

Marina shook her head. 'I don't think so.'

'Then you'd better call Jack.'

Jack Mullen was an estate agent and an old friend of Marina's father. Unlike Donald, Jack had grown his business slowly and today was one of the most successful agents in the area.

Marina leaned forward to hug her mother. 'Thank you, Mum, thank you.'

Kay felt the prick of tears in her eyes. 'You're welcome, love.'

After she'd strapped a sleepy Josh into his seat and blown her mother another kiss, Marina drove off in a daze. She wondered if she could cope with living in her mother's house but she didn't have a better solution. Selling her house would clear all of her debts and allow her to put money aside for Josh's education — they might even be able to afford a holiday this year. Her heart sank at the thought of moving back into her old bedroom. And how would Josh react to moving into Kay's tiny boxroom? Marina bit her lip. It probably wouldn't be easy but it wasn't for forever. She would start saving — seriously saving. She would put money aside every month and within a year or so she'd be able to buy another place for her and Josh. Mind you — she pulled up at the lights and smiled at the guy in the Merc beside her — it would be easier to bag a rich man. A rich, old man with a dodgy heart, preferably.

'Mummy, I'm hungry.'

'Don't be silly, darling, you haven't stopped eating since you got to Granny's.'

'I'm hungry,' Josh insisted.

On impulse, she swerved into the shopping mall near her home.

'Where are we going, Mummy?' Josh demanded.

'We're going to McDonald's.'

'Hurrah!' Josh couldn't believe his luck. His mother didn't bring him here very often.

Marina turned her head to smile at her darling boy. 'And then, we're going on a shopping spree!'