The Runaway Woman (21 page)

‘And the other thing you would do?’ Lucy urged.

‘You might not like it.’

‘It doesn’t matter. Tell me all the same.’

‘If I still loved him, I might
try and win him back.’

Lucy was unsure about that one. ‘If he didn’t want me before, how could I possibly win him back? I’m still the same woman he rejected. I haven’t changed.’

‘So why not change then? Take a leaf out of your sister’s book. Show him that you can be as attractive and exciting as Paula.’

‘That’s impossible! All my life I’ve tried to be more like Paula, but it never happened,
and it never will. Me and her, we’re like chalk and cheese.’

Kathleen, however, was adamant. ‘Listen to me! First of all, throw out most of your old clothes. Then go and buy two new garments. One for bed, and one for going out. You must try them on in the shop, and they must not look anything like the clothes already in your wardrobe. They must be absolutely different from what you’ve worn in
the past. Are you following me, Lucy?’

‘I’m not really sure, but go on.’

‘You must ask the shop assistant what she honestly thinks, and you must tell her how you’re trying to completely change your style, in order to get your man back.’ Kathleen smiled knowingly. ‘These fashion people often like a bit of a challenge. If you’re worried, I’ll come with you. I think I have an idea what you should
be looking for, but you’ll need to try on several outfits. I’ll know the right look when I see it.’

Lucy was suddenly excited. ‘And after the new clothes, then what?’

‘Right! Well, the next stop is the hairdresser’s. You want your hair completely restyled … sort of sexy, and very pretty.’

‘All right … and then what?’ Lucy urged her on.

‘Then …’ Kathleen had to think hard, ‘I would trawl the
shops for the most attractive pair of shoes you have ever seen – a daring colour, with heels a little higher than you’re used to, but not so high that you can’t walk comfortably in them. Oh, and last of all, go into Woolworths, to the cosmetics counter, and ask the girl to show you the kind of make-up you should be wearing. Tell her that you’re having a complete makeover and that you’re trying to
impress your man. Oh! And maybe get some costume jewellery, something like a little butterfly brooch for the shoulder of your new jacket or dress. It will add a bit of class.’

‘Wow!’ Lucy’s head was reeling, and now she could hardly wait to get started.

But then her make-believe world suddenly crashed about her. ‘Oh, no! It can’t be done, Kathleen!’

‘Why not?’

‘Because it will cost money,
and I haven’t got anywhere near enough.’

For a moment, having both got carried away with the idea of transforming Lucy into an eye-catching female, they were suddenly dejected.

Kathleen racked her brains and came up with a possible solution. ‘It’s all right! I’ll lend you the money. I’ve got a bit put by. Not a fortune, obviously, but enough to get you looking good … within limits.’

Kathleen
had to admit to herself that Lucy was no raving beauty, though she did have a few admirable assets that a bit of style could enhance. ‘Take the money, Lucy. You can pay me back … whenever!’

‘No, Kathleen! I’m really grateful, but I can’t take your money. I have no idea when I can pay you back,’ Lucy objected. ‘Obviously, I’ve managed to scrape together a little money, but it’s just enough to
get me away from home and maybe pay for one night in a boarding house. That’s a part of my plan.’

‘That’s madness! You can’t do that. You need to confront Martin. Let him be the one to leave.’

‘No, never mind a makeover, I need a breathing space. I need to put a distance between us, and I won’t waste time thinking about Martin. I’ll be looking for work straight away. I don’t really care what
kind of work it is – whether it’s dirty, or with long hours and badly paid. It will be a start, and I’ll do whatever it takes to rebuild my life. My parents are gone, and no doubt my job is lost, along with my marriage. So now, my two children are my main priority.’

Kathleen was amazed at Lucy’s strength. ‘You seem to have it all planned out,’ she told her.

‘I’ve had time enough to think about
it,’ Lucy answered softly. ‘Either I will miss Martin desperately and try to get him back, or I might discover that he’s just a part of the life I once had, and there is no place for him in the life I mean to make. Either way, I’ll know soon enough.’ From somewhere deep inside, Lucy realised, she had found a strength she never knew she had.

She felt suddenly rebellious. ‘Come to think of it,
why should I change anyway? This is who I am. What you see is what you get, and if it isn’t enough for Martin, then let him have his fancy piece, and good luck to them both.’

‘You don’t really mean that, do you, Lucy?’ Kathleen was surprised. She thought Lucy would have done almost anything to get back the man she loved.

‘Having a new dress, fancy hairdo and bold make-up would have been a real
experience, and thank you for suggesting it,’ Lucy answered, ‘but I won’t do it … not for a man who has no need of me any more.’

‘I think the wine’s gone to your head,’ Kathleen remarked, ‘but you’re right. Men, eh? Sod the lot of ’em!’ She replenished their glasses, and again the two of them toasted their independence.

‘So, where might you be off to?’ Kathleen was curious.

‘I’m not sure. I’m
not an experienced traveller. I thought of sticking a pin in the map and heading wherever it pointed, but then I realised that would be plain foolish. So I’ve decided to just go down to the station and see where the trains are going. I might head for the coast. That way I’ve got more chance of finding temporary work, if I decide to stay. I just need enough money to carry me through until I find
a well-paid regular job.’ She sheepishly admitted, ‘I hadn’t really made any detailed plans. At first, it was just about getting right away from here.’

She sank back into the chair. ‘That’s me all over,’ she went on. ‘Full of ideas, but no proper plan. When Paula wants something, she just goes out and does it. Unlike me, the pitiful ditherer.’

‘You’ve got to stop putting yourself down, Lucy.
You should give yourself credit.’ Rather than reprimand her, Kathleen gently reminded her, ‘You’ve had two crippling blows lately. Just one of them would be enough to floor some people, but not you! You’ve stood strong throughout. As always, you’ve been there for the family, and in spite of what Martin and Paula have done to you, you’ve taken it all on the chin. You haven’t buckled under, nor have
you given them the satisfaction of knowing how deeply they’ve hurt you. Instead, you’ve made the very difficult decision of moving away to rebuild a broken life. Tell me this, Lucy Lovejoy, how many other women – including your sister – would have the strength and resolve to do that?’

Lucy had no answer. But suddenly she felt proud, and with the pride, and too much wine, came the tears. ‘Thank
you. Somehow you make me feel strong. You really are my bestest friend.’

Kathleen raised her glass in another toast. ‘To you, dear Lucy. And I am very proud to be your “bestest” friend.’

The two of them almost leaped out of their skins when the telephone rang. ‘Jeeze!’ Scrambling out of the chair, Katheen hobbled to the hallway, where she picked up the telephone. ‘Who is it?’ A pause, then,
‘Oh, Anne. Hang on a minute, I’ll get her.’ She hurried back into the sitting room. ‘It’s Anne. She’s worried that you didn’t call her.’

‘Oh, crikey!’ Getting out of the chair, Lucy instinctively scraped her hands over her hair and nervously patted her clothes down.

When she picked up the telephone, Anne immediately asked, ‘Mum! Are you all right? It sounds to me like you’ve got a cold coming
on.’

Lucy pounced on that idea. ‘You might be right,’ she said, giving another little cough. ‘I’ll be all right, though. Kathleen’s made a kind of toddy for me … hot water and red wine … it seems to be doing the trick.’

Anne laughed. ‘Is it now? Well, just make sure you don’t drink too much of it, or you might keel over. You know you’re not used to wine.’

‘I do know that, and I am being careful.’

Smiling to herself at the other end of the line, Anne changed the subject. ‘I’m calling you because you didn’t call me, so now I know why, don’t I?’

‘Do you?’

‘Yes, and I’m glad that Kathleen is looking after you … even if she is plying you with booze.’

‘Hey! Behave yourself. I can look after myself, thank you.’

‘I know you can. Anyway, how long do you plan to stay there? I’ve already said
you can come here and stay with me for as long as you like.’

‘I know that, sweetheart, and it’s a lovely idea, but not just now, eh? I really do need some time away.’

‘Dad’s missing you. Why didn’t you tell him where you were going? He came round here, looking for you. He was worried.’

Lucy had to think quickly. ‘Oh! Sorry … I thought I told him, sweetheart, but you know what he’s like. All
he can think of is football, work and darts. Most of the time, he turns a deaf ear.’

‘To tell you the truth, I thought he was upset. I reckon you two have had a row, haven’t you?’

‘No! Well, not exactly a row, but we did have words … about something and nothing.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Exactly what it says. I can’t remember, it was so trivial. I’m sure you and Les have words and then later,
you can’t even recall what it was all about.’

‘But Dad’s really missing you, Mum. He seemed on edge to me.’

‘Did you tell him where I was?’

‘Yes. You didn’t say not to, did you? He was just a bit worried about you. Are you cross with me? Was I supposed to keep it a secret?’

‘No! Of course not. Stop fretting. I’ll call him.’

‘All right, Mum, but if you need to get away from everything, just
tell him that. Tell him you need some quiet time to yourself. I’m sure he’ll understand. Besides, it’ll do him good to look after himself for a few days … or however long it takes. I’m more worried about you, though. We all know how devastated you are by losing Grandma and Granddad. But you never show it. You never think about yourself. You’re always too busy looking after everybody else. So now,
like I say, you need some quiet time. Kathleen is a really good friend – she’ll help you come to terms with everything, I know she will. And remember, if you need any one of us, all you have to do is call.’

‘Thank you, sweetheart.’

‘Love you, Mum.’

‘Love you too. Give Luke a big hug for me, and if Sam rings you don’t worry him. All he needs to know is that I’m staying with Kathleen for a while,
and that everything is fine. Just tell him that, will you?’

‘I will.’

Just then the baby started crying. ‘Got to go, Mum … ’bye.’

After Anne had gone, Lucy stood a moment, absent-mindedly tapping the end of the receiver on her lips. Her head was spinning with all manner of thoughts. Something Anne had said had her wondering. Why had Martin not told Anne about Paula, and what the two of them
had been up to? And why had he gone round there in the first place? Looking for her, Anne said. So, did that mean he had decided he’d rather have her back than be with Paula?

Mmm! It’s very strange that he should go looking for me; unless he was worried that I had told Anne what he and her aunt Paula had been up to, Lucy thought.

She smiled wickedly. ‘I don’t suppose he was looking for me at
all. In fact, he probably doesn’t give a monkey’s where I am! He just went round to make sure Anne knew nothing of what was going on. All he cares about is covering his own back. Well, it’s too late now, Martin, she decided, carefully replacing the receiver. You made your choice, and now you must live with it. Oh, but I would love to know what’s happened. Has she dumped you? Is that it? Yeah … Paula’s
dumped you and now, in your arrogance, you think I’ll come running, don’t you? Well, you can go to hell. It might surprise you, but I am not in the market for Paula’s cast-offs. You’ve made your bed and you must lie on it!

After a moment of reflection, she returned to the sitting room, trying very hard not to smile.

‘Everything all right, is it?’ Obviously, Kathleen had caught the gist of Lucy’s
conversation with her daughter.

‘That was Anne, checking up on me.’

‘Well, that’s good, isn’t it?’

‘I told her I was staying with you, that I wanted some time away. Anne said she fully understands and that I should take as long as I need.’

‘Anne is a very sensible young woman. She obviously has your best interests at heart.’

Lucy explained the phone call. ‘She said her dad came round, and
that he wanted to know where I was.’

‘Hmm!’ Kathleen had the same thought as Lucy. ‘That was very thoughtful of him!’ she quipped sarcastically. ‘What’s happened there? Paula got fed up with him, has she?’ Her comment came straight from the warm wine. ‘Sent him packing, has she? Huh! If you ask me, the pair of ’em want a kick up the arse!’

‘Hey!’ Lucy laughed out loud. ‘I’ve never heard you
swear like that before!’

‘Well, then, you don’t know me as well as I thought you did!’ Kathleen laughed. ‘When it warrants it, I can curse like the best of ’em. And I reckon them two warrant it now. I just hope they get their comeuppance for hurting you the way they did.’

‘Anne told him I was here,’ Lucy said.

‘Did she now? Well, that’s all right, because if he comes round here, he’ll have
me to deal with, I can tell you that!’

‘Oh, you needn’t worry yourself, because Anne will make sure he gives me the time and space I need. Bless her, she thinks I’m here with you because of losing Mum and Dad. Thankfully, she doesn’t know the whole truth.’

‘Well, now you can relax,’ Kathleen suggested. ‘Put him out of your mind. What you need is to concentrate on what you might do next. You
say you’re off to a new life, but how can you manage it? I mean, you won’t borrow money from me, and you don’t even know where you’re going … But, look, I’ve got a little idea. So, d’you want to hear it or not?’

‘Yes, go on.’ Lucy knew Kathleen would tell her anyway.

‘Right!’ Kathleen was pleased. ‘I’ve got an old widowed aunt. She’s a dear old soul, lives alone in a pretty house not too far
from Torquay. She’s always asking me to go and stay with her, but it’s difficult, what with me working full time. But I’ve had her to visit here once or twice and she’s no trouble.’