Rumours and Red Roses (20 page)

‘Don’t wake him up.’

Thoughtfully, she tidied away, hearing him going upstairs.

She knew him well enough to know that something was wrong. But what? 

B
ECKY PUT
M
ARINA
in touch with Adele.

At the interview, which they held cosily in Emma’s mother’s kitchen, Marina nonchalantly threw in the fact that she had done a cordon bleu cookery course when she was eighteen, producing the diploma in case they did not believe her. She had, she also confessed, not taken it remotely seriously, but when she came to think about it, she had rather enjoyed it, blitzed through the course and had always been under the impression that cooking was a walk in the park.

Emma, more than Adele, needed some convincing but her objections sizzled away when Marina offered to cook for the two of them the following evening and produced a three-course meal with aplomb. Of course she would be happy to ‘muck in’, as she put it, with the dirtier jobs in the kitchen and as Adele watched Emma finishing off the
delicious
cheesecake Marina had prepared, she knew it was in the bag.

Taking a back seat, sipping her coffee, she watched the two of them, Emma and Marina, chatting excitedly about where to take the
business
and concluded that, all this time, she had been holding Emma back. With Marina’s drive and enthusiasm and her contacts, they would go far.

‘I’m stepping down from the business for the time being,’ she told Rory that night. ‘I can be called upon in an emergency, of course, to help out but frankly I’m fed up with it. You don’t mind, Rory, do you?’

‘No. I’ve told you. You do what you want.’

‘How are the wedding arrangements coming along?’ she enquired, irritated that he rarely spoke of them. It was as if he was excluding her from them, from all mention of them, and she was beginning to feel
left out. She did not feel she could contribute very much but it would be nice to be asked and they were heading towards the date now with a rush.

‘Fine. It’s all in hand. Angela’s over now to do some final sorting out.’

‘Is she?’ She raised her head in surprise. ‘She’s here in town?’

‘No. She’s staying in Leeds with her sister.’

‘Has she been in touch with you then?’

‘Yes.’ He frowned. ‘We’ve had a meeting on neutral ground. She’s not an easy woman, Adele. She’s still spitting feathers and it’s been years. I don’t envy that new husband of hers. Look, leave it, will you? I don’t want to talk about it.’

‘Well, perhaps I do,’ Adele said, infuriated that he hadn’t even seen fit to mention it. ‘I don’t like the idea of you meeting up with Angela without telling me.’

‘Why not? She’s the mother of the bride. I’m the father. We have things to talk about if it’s going to go smoothly. We have our daughter to think about. We have to meet up sooner or later. For God’s sake, Adele, I’m not back with her if that’s what you’re thinking. Although …’ He smiled slightly. ‘Being married to a billionaire does seem to have its disadvantages. She’s got herself on some charity circuit over there and it seems to be taking over her life. She works nearly as hard as I do. She showed me her diary. Coming over here has played havoc with her schedule. And she’s just had surgery so she’s feeling fragile.’

‘Oh, sorry. I didn’t know that.’

‘The plastic variety,’ he said with a grin. ‘So don’t be too sorry. She looks a million dollars, I have to say.’

‘Does she indeed.’ Ruffled, aware she could be accused of acting childishly, she tried not to let it show.

‘Not so good as you, of course,’ he said with a grin. ‘But then you’re so much younger.’

‘Watch it, Rory,’ she said, trying to hide a little smile. ‘I’m just worried about it, that’s all. I don’t mean to be bitchy.’

‘Look, weddings with split families … it happens all the time these days, darling, and we have to get on with it.’

‘I know.’ She sighed, still madly irritated with him and doubly so with Angela. A new face, a billionaire husband; she was going to have to go all out to compete at the wedding.

‘Don’t let it get to you,’ Rory went on, sensing that it was troubling
her. ‘It can be got through in a very civilized manner if we all focus and remember that it is Jackie’s special day and nothing must spoil that. It’s taken her long enough to get it sorted out. We were planning this, if you can remember, long before Alex was born.’

Adele sniffed. ‘I hope she knows what she’s doing. You have to worry about all this on and off business. I don’t care for him, if you must know.’

‘Neither do I but it’s not up to us.’

‘Sorry. But I think it might be best all round if I opt out of this, Rory. After all, I’m not exactly the flavour of the month with either of your girls, am I? They won’t miss me.’

‘I will,’ he said sharply. ‘You’re my wife and you’re coming along. And Alex too. You are my new family and I’m not hiding you away as if I’m ashamed of you. Don’t worry. Angela will be with her partner. It will be fine.’

She relaxed a little. They must not have a row about this. He was right and they could get through it in one piece. Alex would be useful in that she could hide behind him if necessary, concentrate her
attention
on him and people would understand that. One thing was sure, she was going to get something glamorous from the designer rails to wear. She would not be petty about this for Angela was, after all, the mother of the bride – but she would not let anybody think she was the poor relation. And she would get Alex a really cute outfit too, maybe from that little boutique her mother was so fond of.

‘Everything is all right, Rory, isn’t it?’ she asked, knowing he was keeping something back. ‘You can tell me. Whatever it is.’

‘Everything is fine,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry I’m going to be away all of next week but duty calls and all that. Use my mobile if you need to get in touch. Please don’t ring me during the day unless it’s an emergency because I shall be in wall-to-wall meetings and don’t try to ring me at the office either.’

‘Why would I do that if you’re not there? And, no, don’t worry, I won’t ring you during the day. I wouldn’t dream of disturbing you in a meeting,’ she said tightly, for sometimes it was as if he didn’t credit her with any common sense. ‘Give me a ring in the evening from the hotel. Where are you staying?’

‘Holiday Inn somewhere or other. I’ll let you know,’ he said, looking harassed.

‘They work you too hard.’

‘That’s what I’m paid so much for,’ he said, running a weary hand through his hair. ‘Working too hard.’ 

L
OUISA WAS IN
the utility room, arranging a collection of frothy blue garden flowers in an earthenware pot, when Adele and Alex arrived round the back, escorted by a very waggily tailed Wilson.

‘Hello, you two.’ Louisa paused, wiping her hands on her apron before swooping down on Alex and planting a kiss on top of his head, cooing to him a moment in her special granny voice. He responded with a laugh, tugging at her hair and causing her to yell out in mock pain.

‘Where’s Gran?’ Adele asked, glancing towards Chrissie’s room. ‘Is she having a nap?’

Louisa nodded. ‘She complained of a disturbed night so she’s putting her feet up. The last time I peeped in, she was fast asleep so we won’t disturb her for the moment.’

‘No, you mustn’t. I’ll give her a ring this evening.’

‘Come on through, darling.’

Alex, let loose, accompanied by a protective Wilson, toddled straight over to the box of toys in the corner of the sitting room, busily taking out the cars and setting them up on the carpet in a formation very like the starting grid of a Grand Prix, Louisa kneeling down beside him to direct the traffic.

‘I could eat this little fellow, I love him so much. I’m so glad you live nearby so that I can get my weekly granny shot,’ she said and then, looking up at Adele, ‘How’s he been?’

‘Alex is fine as you can see. He loves his little cars.’ Adele smiled. ‘Where’s Dad?’

‘At his art class.’ Her mother smiled. ‘It’s taken a while to get
organized
but he’s finally done it. He’s got his daily routine set up and it
doesn’t interfere too much with mine. He takes ages over his breakfast but I just leave him to it. He won’t go out anywhere until he’s done fifteen clues of the morning crossword so sometimes it’s touch and go so he has to resort to asking me or your gran. She’s very good with
crosswords
. She’s still got a mind like a razor and a tongue to match.’

‘Is she giving you what for?’

‘I should say so,’ Louisa said, glancing towards the corridor and Chrissie’s door. ‘As to your father, did I tell you the U3A he goes to has asked him to run an American history group?’

‘No. That will be nice for him. He’s always been interested in that. Do you go along?’

‘Goodness, no. It’s his Tuesday thing. Wednesday is his day for browsing round the library or museum, he likes to do that on his own, Thursday he takes me out to the cinema and Friday … oh, he’s free on Fridays and we usually reserve that for taking your gran out to lunch.’

Adele smiled. ‘And to think that you were worried about him retiring. It sounds like he’s taken to it very well.’

‘He has. We’ll be hard pressed to find time for our cruise but I’m going to book it so we shall have to find time. Just the two of us. I hope you’ll be able to stay and look after your gran whilst we’re away. I can’t leave her on her own.’

‘Of course. Go ahead and book it.’

‘I suddenly realized that, for the last goodness knows how many years, we’ve spent all our holidays with other people,’ she said. ‘In fact, going on holiday constantly with Jennifer and Michael did have its problems. You did us a favour, darling, letting James off the hook.’

‘I never thought I’d live to hear you say that.’

Louisa stood up slowly, holding on to her back. ‘Oh my heavens, that’s painful. It’s when you do things like this that you suddenly realize you aren’t getting any younger. Mother can still do it, you know. Get down on her knees and more importantly get up again. Isn’t that
something
at her age?’

‘Does she get out much?’

‘Only if I take her. Although she does order a taxi sometimes and goes off for the day. She won’t say where. It’s very annoying. I ought to know where she is. What if I have to report her missing? It’s going to look very odd if I don’t know her whereabouts.’

‘People don’t if they are reporting somebody missing.’

‘Don’t be obtuse. Are you all right? You look peaky. Oh God, you’re not pregnant again?’

‘No. Once is enough, thank you, particularly after what we went through. I am all right. Although …’ She sighed, picking at some
imaginary
fluff on her sleeve.

‘I knew it,’ Louisa said. ‘You can’t fool me. Out with it.’

‘It’s Rory, if you must know. He’s not sleeping well. I’m not either. The thing is … Oh, Mother, I’m not sure but I think he might be having an affair.’

‘What?’ Louisa laughed, fidgeting on the sofa opposite. ‘We’ve had this conversation before.’

‘And I wasn’t wrong then either.’

‘But that was James. This is Rory. It’s completely different. That man worships you, darling. It’s obvious. He would no more have an affair than your father – although chance would be a fine thing for him.’

‘He’s stopped the running.’

‘Thank heavens for that. A man of his age? Sorry, darling, but you do hear of men popping off after over-exerting themselves. What’s the significance of that anyway?’

‘I don’t know but it’s set me thinking. Things have been a bit better after we had a talk but it suddenly occurred to me that he’s hiding something. He’s not very interested in me, Mother. You know what I mean?’

‘He’s gone off the boil?’ Louisa smiled. ‘You’re not on honeymoon any more and this thing with Alex … well, it’s hardly surprising. He’s been worried sick. We all have. Give him time. You’ve got to get
yourselves
back on track. Remember, darling, that you had Alex straightaway. You never had any time to get used to being married.’

‘It’s not only that. He’s away a lot.’

‘So? That’s his job, isn’t it? Searching out buyers?’

‘There are such things as phones. I don’t believe he has to be there, every single time. What are the other people in his department doing?’

‘Ask him,’ Louisa said. ‘Do you know any of the people in his
department
?’

‘Not really. I’ve only met a couple of his sales people in passing and his secretary.’

‘Ah. The secretary.’ Louisa raised her eyebrows. ‘Don’t tell me she’s a gorgeous blonde?’

‘No.’ Adele managed a smile. ‘Not a bit of it. I’m not worried about her.’

‘It’s James running off that’s done it. It’s his fault. He’s made you nervous when there’s no reason to be. Look, darling, why don’t you go away just for a weekend? Go somewhere nice, relax, just the two of you, and I’ll look after Alex. It will do you good.’

‘It would be nice but it’s not on just now. There’s Jackie’s wedding coming up and he’s very involved with that. Did I tell you that he’s paying for it all? And that girl has very expensive tastes.’

‘Isn’t his ex paying half?’

‘No. She’s offered but he’s a stubborn so-and-so.’

‘He is but that’s no bad thing. Anything goes these days with weddings. Jenny’s daughter is on her third wedding and quite rightly Jenny’s having nothing to do with that. She paid for the first one after all. I think the groom’s family usually contribute something these days as well.’

‘I haven’t a clue what’s happening there. Rory thinks it’s his
responsibility
anyway so he’d probably turn down any offer of help.’

‘Let Rory pay for his daughter’s wedding if that’s what he wants to do. And you must get this affair thing out of your head. Take it from me, he won’t do that.’

‘Why is he being so secretive then? He’s locked the door to his desk where he keeps all his papers to do with work.’

‘So? Richard locks
his
desk and he doesn’t have any work papers now he’s retired. It’s a man thing. It doesn’t mean anything. He’s not into porn, is he?’

‘No.’ Adele managed a smile. ‘At least, I don’t think so. I might try to persuade him to take a few days’ break. Are you sure you won’t mind looking after Alex?’

‘No. It will be fun. Won’t it, little man? We can do lots of things together. Me and you and Wilson.’

Hearing his name, the dog, spread-eagled on his beanbag, stretched luxuriously and opened one eye.