That was it. Right there. The woman who had waited with bated breath for her husband to walk through the door every single time he returned, had forgotten he was on his way.
Todd’s voice at her ear snapped her back to the present. ‘Caro?’
‘Sorry, I think it’s a bad signal. I just… miss her.’
‘I know you do.’ She could hear the sadness in his voice and Caro knew that he missed her too. Yes, physically her mum was still there, but the truth was that the woman she’d been was long gone.
‘Anyway, so I’ve just ordered another drink – that’s two gin and tonics in the same day. I haven’t done that since university. I may keel over and wake up tomorrow morning in a gutter.’
Todd laughed. ‘About time. I’m sick of that only being my party trick.’
‘You’re right. Somewhere there’s a gutter with my name on it. Anyway, I’ll be home later tonight. I’ll…’
Her eyes drifted to the notification on the iPad in front of her.
Lila Anderson has updated her status.
‘Hang on…’
‘Yep, your colleague at Stalkers Anonymous has just had a notification too,’ Todd replied. ‘God, I hate being a weirdo.’
A photo – Lila with her boyfriend, taken on a beach somewhere. He was, as always, topless, and she was in a bikini that looked like three pom poms tied together.
Can’t wait for dinner tonight at Grilled with this gorgeous man! #spoiled #luckyme.
‘Urgh, is it wrong that I’m really jealous of your might-be-half-sister? I mean, seriously, there should be a law against being that happy.’
Caro was too busy thinking the development through in her mind. So she knew exactly where Lila would be. No question. She could go to the restaurant and speak to her and clear this up once and for all. Not that there was anything sensible about striding over to a stranger who was enjoying a romantic date with her boyfriend and announcing that they may share a dad. With a bit of luck she could do it subtly, in such a way that didn’t cause too much drama. Unless, of course, Lila was actually her half-sister, in which case the drama would be unavoidable. But at least she’d know. No more wondering.
‘Okay, change of plan. I’m just going to check into this hotel tonight – I don’t even care if it costs a fortune. And I’ll go to the restaurant and see what happens.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘No,’ Caro said, with a wry chuckle.
‘I know I keep saying this, but you don’t have to do it, especially if you don’t feel ready.’
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be ready. But what’s the point of coming home with nothing?’
‘I get that. Ok, well, if you’re doing it, you might need to take a couple more of those gin and tonics for bravery purposes,’ Todd suggested. ‘And call me back the minute you get to the restaurant. I wish I was there with you.’
‘Me too. But I’d rather you were there so you’re close in case Mum needs you.’
‘Don’t worry about it, Caro – I’ve got this. And so do you. You’ll go there, you’ll meet her, you’ll sort this out. You can do it. You can. You’re the strongest person I know. But just, promise me one thing…’
‘What?’
‘That you won’t get so pissed you lose my Calvins.’
‘I promise I’ll bring them home to you,’ she vowed. ‘But right now I’m going to go. Will buzz you later. Let me know how Mum is, will you? And Todd… thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. You can repay me in designer boxers.’
It was impossible not to smile as she hung up. She might just go in and buy another set in the morning as an extra gift. Services rendered for moral support.
Another sip of gin and tonic, then she went on to the website for the restaurant that Lila mentioned. Wow. The images on the home page showed a decidedly upmarket venue, with deep-stuffed, crushed velvet booths, exquisitely set tables, and a huge, dramatic chandelier dropping in a myriad of glass beads from the high ceiling to the centre of the room. It was breath-taking. She deliberately avoided looking at the menuprices. Instead, she cast a glance over her jeans and Converse. Not exactly the outfit of choice for this kind of place.
It would be crazy to go there. Mad. Why would she put herself through that?
