Take a Chance on Me (26 page)

As she made her way along the lane, Abbie felt her palms grow damp. How ridiculous; it was her own house, she was entitled to take whatever she wanted from it, and there were things she genuinely needed. But she’d waited until she knew the place was empty. Tom would be at work and she’d seen Georgia driving off in her van twenty minutes ago.

Right, nearly there now. She had to pick up her sewing box and kitchen scales—because Cleo didn’t own any—plus a couple of Pyrex dishes. Also, she was going to take the table lamp with the ostrich-feather trimmed shade because it belonged to her and she loved it.

No cars on the driveway, good. It seemed wrong, somehow, that from the outside the house could look so exactly the same, while her own world had changed so completely. Bracing herself, Abbie fitted her key in the lock and opened the front door. She bet it would be messier on the inside; Tom had never been that hot on tidying up. And there would be bags of clothes waiting to be ironed by Georgia, ironed clothes hanging from the picture rails, abandoned coffee cups everywhere—

‘
Oh my God
.’ Having pushed open the living room door, her knees almost buckled beneath her. Not expecting to see anyone on the sofa was bad enough. Seeing
who
was lying on the sofa knocked the air from her lungs harder than any cricket bat.

‘Bloody hell, look at you!
Hello!
’ Unfolding her crossed legs and pulling the iPod headphones out of her ears, Patty Summers put down the copy of
Heat
she’d been reading. ‘Long time no see!’

The loud buzzing of white noise rang in Abbie’s ears. She stared at Patty, tanned and blond and wearing a white satin dressing gown. Her
own
white satin dressing gown. Finally she managed to stammer, ‘Wh-what are you doing here?’

‘Oh gosh, long story!’ Shaking her head, Patty said, ‘Basically, it’s all over between me and Ted. Did Georgia tell you about Ted? Well, he turned out to be a dud. All that golf with his mates… it did my head in. So we ended up having a bit of a barney about it and he kicked me out. Men are such dicks, aren’t they? I thought I’d come back to the UK and see how my beautiful daughter’s getting on with her daddy! She’d told me about you moving out, so I knew there’d be room if I wanted to stay for a bit. So there you go, that’s it, really. Here I am!’

Silence. Abbie stared at Patty on the sofa. Finally she said, ‘That’s my dressing gown.’

‘I know, Georgia told me to wear it because I don’t have one. Look, it’s way too big for me!’

Was she for real? ‘That’s because it’s mine.’

‘What are you saying? That you want it back?’ Patty’s blond eyebrows rose. ‘Do you want me to take it off now?’

Was she even wearing anything under it? Probably not. Abbie’s skin prickled with anger.

Reading her expression, Patty said, ‘Oh, I get it, you’re still mad at me over the baby thing. Shouldn’t you be over that by now?’

The buzzing was louder. ‘Why would I be?’

‘Because it happened nearly twenty years ago.’

‘You stole my baby.’ As she said it, tears sprang into Abbie’s eyes.

‘I didn’t. She was
my
baby. I kept her because I loved her.’

‘I wanted her so much.’

‘And now you’ve got her! She turned up and moved in with you, and you moved out! Look, I’m sorry if I mucked up your plans back then, but you can’t blame me for the mess you’ve made of the rest of your life.’ Patty’s eyes glittered as she stated her point. ‘I’ve heard all about what you get up to with your boss, so don’t make out you’re Miss Innocent.’

Abbie concentrated on her breathing. Patty Summers was now living in
her
house with
her
husband and
her
daughter. She was even wearing
her
best satin dressing gown. Grief, raw and painful, surged up inside her chest; how long would it be before Patty was sharing Tom’s bed, or had that happened already? Oh God, don’t think about it,
don’t think about it
.

‘Anyway, what are you doing here? Come to sort out the kitchen? Because let me tell you,’ Patty said blithely, ‘it could do with a clean up.’

But not badly enough, evidently, to persuade her to get up off the sofa and do it herself.

‘I’ve come to collect some things.’ Crossing the room to unplug the feather-trimmed lamp, Abbie discovered that one of the intricate pottery branches of the lampstand had been snapped off and the shade had a rip in it.

‘I noticed that,’ said Patty. ‘It was Georgie, she knocked it off the table.’

Abbie put her favorite lamp back down. So much for treasured possessions.

Ten minutes later, she’d gathered together the other items she’d come for.

‘I’ll tell Tom you dropped by,’ said Patty.

‘Fine.’

‘They make a good team, don’t they? Tom and Georgia.’

‘Oh yes.’ Abbie just wanted to be gone.

‘I’m so pleased for her that she found him. And he says she’s changed his life.’ Pausing, Patty pointed to the key visible through the cotton of Abbie’s shirt pocket. ‘Do you still need that key? Because Tom doesn’t have a spare and I could really do with one.’

The bloody cheek of the woman. Then again, refusing would seem childish. And after today, why would she want to come back again anyway? Abbie took the front door key out of her pocket and placed it—
click
—on the glass-topped table.

Patty said, ‘Thanks!’

Baby. Husband. House. Dressing gown. Key. Might she be interested in a heart, freshly torn out of a broken rival’s chest so she could trample on it?

With a lump the size of an egg in her throat, Abbie said, ‘Don’t mention it.’

***

It was going to be a good day, but just at the moment it wasn’t being
that
good. It had come as a guilty relief to be escaping from Abbie at home; Cleo’s spirits had risen as she’d made her way over to the Hollybush on Sunday lunchtime. Her face had pretty much healed up, it was her first time out without her neck brace, and she was actually looking normal again. Furthermore, the sun was out and the temperature had rocketed into the seventies, which made everyone feel better. Well, apart from Abbie, who was currently scrubbing the utility room, occupying herself by getting it up to operating-theatre levels of cleanliness.

So Cleo’s high hopes were currently taking a bit of a tumble, because while Honor Donaldson was undoubtedly cheerful, chatty company and a genuinely nice person, having to listen to her chattering on about just how ecstatically happy she and Johnny were together wasn’t exactly top of Cleo’s want-to-hear list.

‘I mean, it was all my fault in the first place. When I look back now, I can’t believe I was so stupid. But that’s what we’re like, isn’t it? Stuff happens and we get carried away. This other guy came into my life and I was just, like, wow, this is
amazing
, because I had all his attention and he was so full-on. And he was a movie producer, which helped. He knew everyone, all the A-listers. That makes me a horrible person, right? I’m not proud of myself, but at the time I really thought I was in love with him. So I left Johnny, just like that. Broke his heart. And he was
devastated
.’ Honor shook her head sorrowfully at the memory. ‘I felt bad about it, of course I did, but I was so wrapped up in this fantastic new relationship I told myself I was doing the right thing.’

She stopped, waiting for the reaction. Forced to oblige, Cleo said, ‘But you weren’t?’

‘Of course I wasn’t! The guy was a complete nightmare, super-possessive, paranoid, the works. I realized I’d made the biggest mistake of my life. I mean, he bought me stuff, diamond bracelets, a Maybach, a Picasso… but he wasn’t making me happy. And all the parties we went to? They were pretty dull. So I was really missing Johnny by then, but I told myself I shouldn’t contact him. I’d made him so unhappy, he deserved the chance to rebuild his life. Then I bumped into his New York agent at a gallery opening and he told me about Johnny’s aunt. Well, that was it.’ Honor pressed her clenched fist to her chest and said, ‘I couldn’t help myself; I knew I had to call him. Oh God, and then the moment I heard his voice again, I knew what I had to do. He was all on his own in Norfolk and I just couldn’t bear it. I packed my bags, went straight to the airport and caught the first flight to London. Do you know how I knew I really loved him?’

‘Um… no.’

‘They didn’t have any seats left in first class
or
in business.’ Honor said proudly, ‘So I flew economy.’

Cleo shook her head. The unimaginable horror.

‘But it was worth it. I caught a cab to Norfolk and turned up at Johnny’s hotel. Then I got the manager to call him down to reception… oh wow, it was like something out of a movie.’ Her eyes shining, Honor said, ‘All these people were watching as Johnny came down the stairs. I just held out my arms and said, “Oh baby, I love you so much! I’m here for you now.” And the tourists were all going “Aaaahhh,” and it was the most amazing romantic moment… oh jeez, look at me, I’m welling up just thinking about it!’

She was too. In the prettiest way imaginable. Even the whites of her eyes stayed dazzlingly white. Cleo watched as, half-laughing and half-sobbing, Honor wiped away a Swarovski crystal tear. ‘If I tried something like that, it’d all go pear-shaped. I’d turn up and the guy’d say, “Sorry love, bit late, I’ve met someone else now.”’

Honor said confidently, ‘Oh, I knew that hadn’t happened.’

‘Did you?’ Cleo felt sick. ‘How?’

‘I Googled him. Typed in his name plus new girlfriend.’ Honor shrugged as if it were obvious. ‘Not a bean.’

‘What if he was seeing someone secretly?’ God, was she some kind of masochist?

‘It’s OK, I did double-check.’ Smiling, Honor said, ‘I asked him myself. There hasn’t been anyone else. And now that we’re back together there isn’t going to be, I can promise you that!’

So, officially a masochist.

Rescue arrived minutes later in the form of Johnny himself, come to take Honor away. They were driving back to Norfolk ahead of tomorrow’s funeral. Sliding gracefully off her bar stool, Honor planted a lingering kiss on his mouth. ‘We’ve just been talking about you.’

Cleo’s own mouth was dry; how did it feel to be kissed by Johnny? She’d never find out now. And look at the two of them together; they made such a perfect couple. Honor was stunning in an amethyst wrap-around dress and silver jewelry. Johnny was wearing a pale grey shirt and black trousers. They were visiting Aunt Clarice in the nursing home and making the final arrangements for the service. For a second he met Cleo’s gaze and her heart turned over.

‘You’re on the mend. Looking better. How’s the neck?’

‘Good, thanks.’ She nodded to prove it, as through the window a turquoise Fiat whizzed into the car park. Shelley and Saskia had arrived.

‘Great. Well, we need to get off.’ He jangled his keys at Honor.

‘Hope the funeral’s OK tomorrow.’ Was that a ridiculous thing to say? But what else was there?

‘Thanks. Bye.’ Johnny’s hand rested in the small of Honor’s back as he ushered her out.
She remembered what that felt like…

‘See you when we get back, guys!’ Honor waved over her shoulder.

Fia, finished in the kitchen, said resignedly, ‘She’s so nice, isn’t she? I suppose he was always going to end up with someone like that.’

‘I suppose so,’ murmured Cleo.

Johnny and Honor left, and Saskia and Shelley came in. Glad of the distraction, she held out her arms.

‘Mum said you had an accident and I mustn’t say if you look funny.’ Saskia gave Cleo a hug. ‘But you don’t look too bad.’

‘I was much worse last week,’ Cleo promised.

Saskia’s face fell. ‘Oh. I wish I’d seen you then. Was there all loads of blood?’

‘Oh yes. Bucket-loads.’

‘I love blood! I fell off a climbing frame once and all blood came out of my nose!’ Shaking her head like an old pro, Saskia said, ‘The doctor at the hospital said I was
very
brave.’

Cleo nodded solemnly. ‘We remember that.’ Behind Saskia, Shelley was rolling her eyes; Saskia might think she’d been brave but in reality she’d screamed the place down. ‘Anyway, this is my friend Fia and she’s coming along on the Treasure Hunt too.’ OK, slightly weird to be describing Fia as a friend, but what else could she say?
And here’s Fia, whose marriage I broke up when I had an affair with her husband
?

Shelley left. Minutes later, Will drove into the parking lot with Rob and Molly. Fia went outside to greet the children she hadn’t seen for five months and they seemed touchingly delighted to see her.

Then it was Cleo’s turn to take Saskia out to meet them.

Will looked Cleo up and down and said evenly, ‘Hello.’

‘Hi.’ It was always nice to see someone completely crumble after your relationship with them had broken up. Sadly this hadn’t happened with Will. He was looking trim and fit in a pink polo shirt and pressed chinos, with a shorter-than-usual haircut. He was wearing plenty of Armani aftershave, highly polished loafers, and a new expensive watch. The good thing, though, was that the sight of him was having absolutely no effect on her. Not a twinge, not a flicker, not so much as an iota of attraction or regret.

Wouldn’t it be great if she could feel the same way about Johnny? If only there were an Off switch you could just press.

‘So this is where you’re living now.’ Will turned back to Fia.

‘And working.’ She indicated the pub behind them. ‘I love it.’

He smirked a bit. ‘Mum said she bumped into you the other week. You were with some fat drunk guy. So that’s who you’re seeing now, is it?’

Fia said pleasantly, ‘I’m not seeing anyone. Right then, shall we go?’ She reached for Molly’s hand. ‘We’ll be back by six.’

‘Fine. I’ll be here to pick them up.’

‘We’re going on a Treasure Hunt,’ Saskia informed Molly like a kindly teacher. ‘We have to find caterpillars and leaves and things.’

Molly, who was five, gazed wide-eyed up at six-year-old Saskia. ‘Do we have to eat them?’

‘No, they’re made out of paper and they have clues written on them.’

‘I can’t read.’

‘Don’t worry.’ Saskia, in her element, said happily, ‘I’ll help you.’

***

Ash, playing pool with Welsh Mac, watched Will Newman order half a pint of lager shandy at the bar, then take a seat at a corner table. He never had liked Will when Cleo had been seeing him. He’d liked him even less when he’d found out how he’d treated Fia. What a tosser. Anyway, none of that mattered now. They didn’t have to be polite and speak to each other. In a few minutes, Will would finish his drink and leave. And he wouldn’t have to be jealous of the man who had married Fia and treated her with so little love and respect that—

‘
Yesss
!’ Welsh Mac let out a whoop of triumph as Ash potted the white. ‘Four away, that makes it my game. You owe me a fiver.’

They set up the table for the next match. Blaming Will entirely for his lapse in concentration, Ash now disliked him even more.

Half way through the second game, Georgia’s mother walked into the pub. Not that Ash had seen her before, but everyone in Channings Hill knew she was staying here in the village and, frankly, she wouldn’t have needed to wear a name badge. Apart from the fact that her eyes were brown instead of bright blue, she was eerily similar to Georgia. Tall and slender, she was wearing a cream lace strappy top and the kind of short, pale green skirt that most forty-year-olds couldn’t have got away with. Many heads turned to look at her, Will Newman’s included.

Within five minutes, Ash had witnessed a masterclass in how to chat up a complete stranger. It was a revelation, like watching a neatly choreographed dance. While Georgia’s mother bought herself a gin and tonic and glanced artlessly around the pub, Will drained his drink and moved over to stand next to her at the bar. Looks and polite-on-the-surface smiles were exchanged. Followed by rather more meaningful smiles. Then Georgia’s mother—Patty Summers, that was her name—rested a finger lightly on Will’s right forearm and admired his wristwatch. In response to this, he leaned in and murmured something that made her throw back her head and laugh. Then she swung round on her stool so her bare knees were almost but not quite brushing against his super-ironed trousers. Will had her undivided attention and he was loving it. You could feel the testosterone in the air, experience the frisson, practically breathe in the seductive charm.

‘Watch and learn, lad,’ said Welsh Mac, pausing to chalk his cue.

Well, quite. Except this was a skill he’d never be able to pick up. Because Patty and Will were physically attracted to each other and for that to happen you had to
be
physically attractive in the first place. Observing the goings-on over at the bar, Ash noted the similarities to a wildlife documentary about animal mating habits. There was preening, there was significant eye contact, there was touching and animated interaction, Will was smiling flirtatiously, and Patty was wriggling out of her clothes…

OK, not really, but give her another ten minutes and she might. And if she did, it was fairly obvious that Will Newman wouldn’t object.

***

It had been a fun afternoon. The treasure hunt had been a huge success, the children had got along well together, the sun had blazed down all afternoon, and people had finally stopped gazing at Cleo in horror as if she were the Elephant Man. Who could ask for more?

‘And Will’s here waiting for us.’ Cleo pointed to the car as they pulled into the pub car park.

Except there was no sign of him. The car was empty, the Hollybush was closed for the afternoon, and the pub garden was deserted.

‘He must have gone for a walk. I’ll call him.’ Fia took out her phone, dialed, and hung up. ‘Switched off.’ Dryly she murmured, ‘Just like old times.’

‘I’m thirsty.’ Saskia, from the back seat, said, ‘Can I have a drink?’

‘I need a wee,’ Molly announced.

Rob said, ‘I’m hungry. Are there any biscuits?’

‘OK, no problem, let’s go to mine.’ Cleo swung the car back out onto the road. ‘Where on earth could Will have got to?’

Having heard them pull up outside the cottages, Ash emerged to greet them. ‘Good time?’

‘Great,’ said Cleo. ‘You haven’t seen Will, have you?’

Ash waited until she’d let the children out of the car and into the house. Without meeting Fia’s eye, he said in a low voice, ‘He left the pub with Georgia’s mother.’

Cleo frowned. ‘Why? He doesn’t even know her.’

‘I think he probably does now,’ said Ash.

‘But his car’s still here, so where could they have gone?’

Ash shrugged. ‘Tom and Georgia went off to a Motocross thing in Devon this morning.’

Oh for heaven’s sake. In disbelief, Cleo whipped out her phone and dialed the number of Abbie’s old home. It rang and rang. ‘No answer.’

Abbie, bringing the children outside with drinks and biscuits, said, ‘What’s going on?’

Cleo brought her up to date. ‘But where else can they be? And you gave her your key, so we can’t even get into the house.’

Abbie gave her a look. ‘I’m not completely stupid. That was the front door key. I’ve still got the one for the back.’

Will had said he’d be here to pick up the children at six. It was now six-thirty. Not that they seemed bothered; Saskia adored Ash, who was demonstrating his ability to race around the garden with her hanging from one arm and balancing on one of his feet. Molly and Rob, charging after them, were bellowing, ‘My turn, me next, I want to do it too!’

Cleo came to a decision. Leaving the kids with Fia and Ash, she and Abbie headed over to the house. When they got there, Abbie peered through the living room window. ‘No sign of anyone.’

Cleo rang the doorbell and waited. Nothing. Then she stepped back, gazed up at the house, and glimpsed furtive movement at the bedroom window. ‘There’s someone up there.’

Abbie hissed indignantly, ‘That’s
our
bedroom.’

‘Might be burglars,’ Cleo tut-tutted. ‘We’d better check.’

They slipped along the path that led around to the back of the house. Abbie unlocked the kitchen door and Cleo followed her in. There was a mountain of washing up in the sink, the worktops hadn’t been wiped down, and the thin, sharp smell of alcohol hung in the air. Childhood memories came flooding back. It was like being ten years old again, coming home from school, and wondering if you were going to find Auntie Jean passed out on your sofa.

Upstairs, Abbie opened the bedroom door and a great wave of gin fumes whooshed out. Together they surveyed the scene. Patty Summers was passed out on the bed, sprawled naked on her front and snoring gently. An empty gin bottle lay on the floor. Snow Patrol was blaring from the CD player and the carpet was littered with popcorn and discarded items of clothing.

Cleo nudged the black Armani boxer shorts on the floor and flipped them over with her foot. Of course, Armani. Will had always liked to match his aftershave to his underpants.

Abbie said, ‘Where’s he gone?’

It didn’t take a genius to work it out, since he was unlikely to have hidden himself in one of the bedside drawers. Cleo, who had always had a soft spot for theatrical farce, went over to the wardrobe and pulled it open with a flourish.

‘OK, OK.’ Naked, covering himself with cupped hands, and looking defensive, Will shook his head. ‘I fell asleep, alright? Just let me get dressed and I’ll be along to collect the kids.’

‘Not if you’ve been drinking, you won’t.’

‘I haven’t. Just a couple at lunchtime.’ He nodded over at the bed. ‘She did enough drinking for the both of us.’

The corners of her mouth twitched. ‘Why were you hiding in the wardrobe?’

‘I heard the door open downstairs. Didn’t know it was you, did I? Could have been some bloke of hers.’

Cleo said brightly, ‘But at least you’ve had fun. That’s the important thing.’

Will shot her a filthy look. ‘How did you get in here anyway?’

‘Oh, didn’t you know? Remember my sister?’ Cleo indicated Abbie. ‘Well, this is her house. And guess what? That’s her bed.’

‘Oh God.’ Will went pale. ‘Look, I didn’t know that.’ He shook his head. ‘I only met this one at lunchtime. She’s completely mental.’

‘Hey, watch what you’re saying.’ Having rolled over and opened her eyes, Patty smiled blearily at them and waggled her fingers in greeting. ‘What’s going on? I didn’t know we had an audience.’

She was about to have even more of one. From downstairs came the sound of a key being fitted into the front door, followed by the door opening and being slammed shut.

‘For God’s sake,’ groaned Will, still shielding himself with his hands. Turning to Cleo he pleaded, ‘Any chance of a bit of privacy so I can get dressed?’

‘Don’t worry, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.’ Cleo beamed and kept her foot firmly on the Armani boxers. Wiggling her little finger she added cheerfully, ‘And I’ve told my sister all about it.’

‘Mum?’ The next thing they heard was Georgia’s footsteps on the stairs.

Blinking and hauling herself into a semi-sitting position, Patty pushed swathes of blonde hair out of her mascara-smudged eyes and called out over the music, ‘Hi baby, come on up, we’re in here.’

Cleo bent down, gathered together the boxers and chinos, and threw them at Will. She followed Abbie out of the bedroom and closed the door behind her just as Georgia reached the landing.

‘What’s going on?’ Sunburned from her day out at the Motocross, Georgia regarded them both warily. ‘What are you doing here? Is she drunk?’

Abbie nodded. ‘Yes, but she’s OK. Don’t go in there, sweetheart.’

‘Oh please, this is my mother we’re talking about. Do you think I haven’t seen it all before?’

‘I know, but there’s someone else in there with her.’

‘What a surprise.’ Georgia’s tone was detached but the irony was mixed with shame.

The bedroom door was wrenched open and Will, having dressed at the speed of light, rushed out past them.

‘Bit young for you, Mum, isn’t he?’ Georgia stood in the doorway and gazed at her barely decent mother on the bed.

Patty drawled, ‘Oh don’t
start
.’

Exhaling, Georgia glanced at Abbie. ‘Sorry.’

‘Oh sweetheart, it’s not—’

‘Actually let me deal with her now.’ Georgia’s body language was stiff, her manner brusque. ‘I’m used to it. Could you just go?’

Downstairs they passed Tom on their way out. He deliberately didn’t look at them.

‘Patty’s in your bed.’ Unable to help herself, Abbie said, ‘Does that mean you’ve been sleeping with her too?’

Tom’s jaw was rigid. ‘No, I haven’t slept with anyone else.
Unlike you
.’

‘Come on.’ Since it wasn’t the moment for yet another showdown, Cleo ushered her sister through the front door. ‘Let’s leave them to it. We need to get back.’

***

Fia was watching Molly and Rob cavort with Ash and Saskia around the garden. Ash, yelling out instructions, had them tackling an impromptu assault course. They let out screams of delight as he helped them run along low walls, roll across the grass between the fence and the apple tree, wriggle under the wooden seat and over the row of flower pots.

‘My turn, my turn!’ screamed Molly, grabbing hold of Ash’s hands almost before he’d had a chance to let go of Rob.

Fia couldn’t help smiling; Ash had such an easy way with them. Who knew he’d be so brilliant with children?

Then her attention was diverted by the sight of Will heading towards them, striding along with Cleo and Abbie following twenty yards behind him. Will was looking distinctly pissed off.

‘They found you, then.’ Fia wondered if, deep down, Cleo wished she and Will were still together.

‘Looks like it, doesn’t it?’ He raised an arm to attract Rob and Molly’s attention. ‘Come on, you two. Time to go.’

‘Daddy, you’re
late
.’ Rob was proud of his just-learned ability to tell the time.

‘Can we stay longer?’ Molly begged. ‘
Please
? We’re doing a salt course!’

‘No, we need to get back.’ Eyeing Ash with suspicion, Will said to Fia, ‘Is this the fat bloke my mother saw you with?’

He really was despicable. And to think she’d actually married him. Fia said, ‘Yes, we had a great night out.’

***

Five minutes later, once she’d hugged and kissed the children goodbye, Will walked Molly and Rob back across the village green to the pub parking lot.

Ash watched them go. ‘If he hadn’t had those kids with him, I’d have broken his nose.’

Cleo said, ‘I’d have cheered you on.’

Having spent the day snapping away with her digital camera, Fia said, ‘I’d have taken photos and put them up on the internet.’

Only Abbie’s mind was elsewhere. No longer thinking of Will, she said distractedly, ‘Poor Georgia.’