‘She was being all smarmy and sympathetic. Trying to get me to shop you.’
‘But you held up under questioning?’
‘I did. I gave her nothing.’
‘You’re a good daughter. I’m glad I didn’t abandon you in the forest when I was skint.’
‘Me too. Although I do sometimes wonder what my life might have been like if I’d been taken in by a kindly woodcutter who raised me as his own.’
‘Oh!’ Espie gasped, her eyes lighting up. ‘Do you thinkTheresahas a drink problem? People who have one are always trying to project it onto someone else.’
‘Probably. But so what if she does? She tells me there’s no shame in it.’
‘That’s all right, then. So, am I being expelled?’
‘No, but you’re on a warning. She says you’re a disruptive influence on the others.’
‘God, it’s worse than bloody school.’
‘She said someone broke their wrist last night.’
‘Yes – June. I do feel bad about that. But we were just having a bit of fun. They expect you to sit around all day drinking tea and watching some orange gobshite on TV getting people to guess the price of stuff. Or else it’s American chat shows with people crying because they’re too fat or because they’ve lost a load of weight and they’re so happy. And they call their diet a “journey”, and talk about it like it’s some kind of spiritual experience. Jesus wept! And, after all that excitement, we’re supposed to be tucked up in our beds at eight, fast asleep, just when there might be something on telly that you’d actually be interested in watching. We may be old, but we’re still people!’
‘I know, but, Mum, you have to behave for the rest of your time here. You really need to be a bit better before you come home. I can’t take more time off work and?—’
‘I know, I know,’ her mother said, in aconciliatory tone. ‘I’ll be good. I’ll be a model old lady for the rest of my stay, promise.’
‘Sorry. I know it’s horrible, but it’s not for much longer.’
‘It’s fine. Don’t mind me – I’m just having a rant. It’ll do you good anyway to have a break from worrying about me. I know it’s a strain on you.’
‘Anyway – good party?’
‘Excellent party. There are some really interesting people in here. I’ve made some terrific friends.’
Claire wasn’t surprised. Her mother made new friends wherever she went. She had a talent for it. ‘Mum, I was thinking of going over to London next weekend.’
‘Oh, you should!’ Espie said immediately. ‘Is there anything particular on?’
‘No, I just want to visit a… friend.’
‘One of your internet friends?’
‘Yeah,’ Claire said, jumping on the explanation gratefully. Anyway, it was true – she did know Mark from the internet.
‘It’s a great idea. Oh, there’s June now,’ Espie said, beckoning to a tall, solidly built old lady with her arm in a sling.
‘Sorry I can’t shake,’ June said, when her mother had introduced them.
‘How’s the wrist?’ Espie asked her.
‘Ah, it’s fine. Hurts a bit, but it was well worth it,’ June said staunchly. ‘I haven’t had so much fun since my son and his wife dumped me in this kip two years ago.’
‘Speaking of your son, is he going to sue?’
June snorted. ‘No fear of him. Once he realised he couldn’t very well sue this place for negligence and still leave me here to rot, he backed down pretty quickly.’
‘Well, there’ll be no more booze parties in my room,I’m afraid. Theresa had a word with Claire, and apparently I’m leading you all astray. But there’s nothing to say we can’t have a tea party, is there?’
