Liv smiled weakly. The four of them walked towards the exit.
‘How was your break?’ Jake asked her, and she wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic or not.
She wanted to gush how the sea was the bluest she’d ever seen, how she’d given a stellar performance at the book festival, and how Marlon thought her writing was fresh. She felt like showing him photos of her hotel suite, and insisting they buy a softer mattress. But she kept it all to herself. Instead, she said, ‘It was fine. Tell me what happened to Johnny.’
‘I got a call from one of his mates yesterday, saying he’d had an accident,’ Jake said. ‘I drove over to the park and Johnny was lying on the ground clutching his arm. I took him straight to the hospital and they did an X-ray. He’s fractured it just below his right shoulder.’
Liv flinched as she imagined his pain. Guilt churned in her stomach at not being there to accompany him to hospital, and she couldn’t help wondering if the accident wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t gone away. The bright skies of Croatia dimmed in her head, as if clouds drifted in front of the sun. Her overseas escape suddenly felt like several weeks ago, rather than mere hours.When they reached the car, she slid into the passenger seat in a daze.
‘It’s a nasty break, the worst kind,’ Johnny announced. ‘The doctor said so. It frigging well hurt. My shoulder was all swollen, like the Hulk. I don’t need a cast because my arm hangs in this sling and the weight of it pulls the bones back into place. It’s gross.’
Liv winced.
‘He might need screws or a metal plate putting in,’ Jake murmured as he turned the key in the ignition.
When they arrived home, Liv saw hospital documentation on the kitchen table and a spare sling. There were piles of pots in the sink making her feel even more guilty for not being here to help out.
Jake put the kettle on, Mack disappeared upstairs and Johnny loitered as Liv sat on the dining-room floor, unzipping her suitcase. She threw her used clothes onto separate piles, and he scanned over her stuff.
‘Did you get me anything?’ he said. ‘I need cheering up.’
Liv smiled at all the gifts hiding under layers of clothes. ‘Maybe a few bits and pieces.’
Johnny kicked his toe against her case. ‘Dad was really worried about you.’
‘No need to be. How long will you be out of action?’ she said.
‘Dunno.’
Jake reappeared and set down a cup of tea on the dining table for her. ‘He won’t be arm wrestling for a while, that’s for sure.’ He looked her over. ‘You’ve caught the sun on your nose.’ His tone was flat, as if disappointed.
‘Thanks.’ Liv took Essie’s black silk dress out of her case and carefully draped it over a chair.
Jake stared at it.
‘It’s Essie’s,’ she said, avoiding his gaze. ‘I said I’d get it dry-cleaned for her.’
‘Just how much did you spend on souvenirs?’ he said, after she’d unpacked the teddy bear, guidebook, and the almonds and orange slices she’d bought.
‘Nothing, they were gifts.’
He looked at her, as if she was speaking in a foreign language. ‘When you’re finished unpacking, I’ve got a couple of things to ask you.’
Liv didn’t feel like talking, or listening. Part of her brain was still in the sunshine, and not drinking anything on the plane had left her feeling dehydrated and a little dizzy. ‘I need to sit down with my drink first.’
Jake passed her the tea. He looked at her expectantly.
‘What’s so urgent?’ she said with a sigh.
‘It’s Katrina’s big 5-0 in September. She wants to go to a spa.’
Liv gaped at him, wondering why this couldn’t wait. ‘That’s next month, it’s weeks away.’
‘She’s booking a pamper day at Hampton Hall for friends and family,’ he continued. ‘There’s a pool, sauna, massages, facials, that kind of stuff.’
Jake once told Liv he’d rather be ridden over by a horse than pay someone to rub his skin. She could tell from his expression that they were all expected to go. It was bad enough going to a party with all his relatives, without seeing them half-naked.
‘The ladies are going to have treatments, and the men can use the pool and sauna. Johnny’s broken arm means he’ll have to sit some things out. We can all meet up for lunch afterwards.’
