“Right. The furniture’s mine, but any of the things from the drawers, her clothes, books, CDs—all that stuff was Carrie’s and Mike’s welcome to take whatever he wants. There are some empty boxes in the attic that he can use if he doesn’t bring his own.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him.”
“I appreciate this, sweetheart. Really.”
“I expect you to demonstrate that appreciation when you get back. Several times. I will require a lot of convincing.”
He chuckles, the sound rich and sexy in my ear. Mypussy dampens, the effect instantaneous. I groan and plant my feet on the bedroom carpet.
Time to get up. Coffee calls. And perhaps a cool shower.
* * *
Ewan’s right, Mike is a nice guy. He arrives bang on time, the boot of his Volvo full of empty boxes. He’s come prepared. I spot him turning in to Ewan’s driveway and go out to meet him.
“Hello. Mike?”
“Hi. You must be Faith.”
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry about Caroline. For your loss.”
“Same goes. Ed, was it? Your husband?”
“Yes. Ed.” I brace for the recriminations I expect him to heap, if not on me then on Ed. At one time I would have taken such remarks more personally. These days I see Ed’s behaviour for what it was—the catastrophic combination of too much testosterone and a powerful machine. Fatal.
“It was hard on you too. A tragedy. So, you and Ewan are friends then?”
“Yes. He’s been very kind.”
“And now you’re repaying the favour.”Hardly. This doesn’t touch the sides.
Mike continues. “I appreciate this, I really do. It would have been awkward if I couldn’t get this sorted now.”
I lead the way to Ewan’s front door, my key at the ready. “You know which room was Caroline’s?”
“Yeah. At the back, right?”
I nod and stand aside as he passes me to cart the first of his boxes upstairs. I trail after him. “Ewan says to take as much time as you need, and to help yourself to any of Caroline’s belongings. Once you’re sure you’ve got all you want, he’ll dispose of the rest. Charity shop, probably.”
“It’s been good of him to wait so long. I kept meaning to come, but, it’s been difficult. Something of an emotional journey. She was my only sister.”
“I’m sorry. I realise how hard this is.”
He turns on the landing to smile at me, his expression sorrowful. There’s the suggestion of a glitter in his eyes. I’m reminded of my own tearful efforts to sort out and dispose of Ed’s clothing, a task I accomplished within weeks of his death. Helen helped. She did most of it, in fact. I was relieved when his side of the wardrobe was emptied, his drawers ready to be filled with my stuff. And now Ewan’s too. I suspect Mike will find this therapeutic, but no less painful for that.
“Do you need any help?”
He opens Caroline’s bedroom door and steps through. “No. I can manage. Will you be downstairs?”
“I’ll be next door, working. Give me a ring on my mobile when you’re ready to go.”
He offers me a watery smile as I stand, framed in the doorway. I nod and leave him to grieve in private.
* * *
“Hi. It’s Mike. I think I got everything.”
“Great. I’ll be right there.” I press the end call button and close down the file I was working on before making my way back next door.
