Liv would never usually eat somewhere like Sorrento’s. She’d become aware of every bobble on her sweater, or shiny ironing mark on her skirt, and the prices would give her palpitations. She felt a bit guilty spending money on herself, but her mum deserved a treat.
Topiary peacocks guarded the tall smoked glass doors, and there was a menu on a lectern outside. Carol eyed the alabaster Roman statues flanking the entrance. ‘This place looks very posh, love. Do you think they’ll let us in?’
Liv was glad she was suitably attired in a dress and blazer rather than her jeans. Carol wore a pretty turquoise dress with a necklace of oversize white beads.
Liv assured her mum, but when they stepped inside a bow-tied waiter swept past without giving them a second glance.She squirmed when she saw a waistcoated waiter placing a linen napkin on a customer’s lap. About to suggest they try somewhere else, a waitress with a high ponytail headed towards them.
‘Signoras, I’m afraid we’re fully booked,’ she said.
Liv felt a vein pulse in her neck. She didn’t like how the woman looked at her mum, and she took hold of the striped tie in her pocket. ‘I have a reservation for two people.’ She fixed the waitress with a stare. ‘Under the name of Essie Starling.’
The waitress twitched her lips. She checked a computer screen and picked up two menus. ‘Certamente, please follow me.’ She seated them at a window table with a view of the whole restaurant.
Carol waited until she moved away. She leaned in towards Liv. ‘Why did you use Essie’s name?’ she whispered.
‘Strangely, when I used my own there were no tables available.’
‘Won’t she mind?’
Liv batted a hand. ‘I’m sure it’s fine.’
They were presented with menus so stupidly large they had to peer around them, like theatre actors checking out the size of an audience before going on stage.
‘Have you seen the prices, love?’ Carol hissed. ‘It’s twelve pounds for a bowl of minestrone. Do they sprinkle parmesan in it, or diamond dust?’
‘Shhh,’ Liv laughed, worried the waitress might hear. She’d already noticed a bowl of spaghetti bolognese cost more than she usually spent on a blouse. ‘Don’t worry, I’m paying. Order whatever you want.’
They both skipped having a starter and ordered fettucine with sundried tomato and olive sauce for their main course. When Liv requested a bottle of Chardonnay that cost over sixty pounds,her mum’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Before she could protest, Liv quickly handed their menus back to the waitress.
Carol settled herself into her chair, as if it was a throne. ‘My friend Maureen has invited me to Benidorm,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure I fancy it.’
‘What? All those hot Spanish men and paella? You should go.’ Liv couldn’t remember the last time her mum had been abroad. She usually went on coach trips in the UK, with three-course dinners each night and singers impersonating George Michael or Elvis.
‘I’m not confident booking somewhere abroad, and there’s all that travelling, too,’ Carol said.
‘You could always fly first class and get extra legroom,’ Liv said, without thinking.
Her mum stared at her. ‘Who do you think I am, Paul McCartney’s love child? I don’t have a money tree.’
‘You don’t want to be uncomfortable…’
‘I think I’ll stay at home, thank you very much. There’s nothing wrong with Blackpool and it’s cheaper. Are you and Jake going on hols this year?’
Liv shook her head. ‘I doubt it. He’s too wrapped up in the business. Sending Johnny off to uni is costing a fortune, too.’
‘I bet you’ll miss him, love. But you and Jake will get more time together.’
Liv pictured her husband talking to his sister in the coat cupboard while she lay in the bath reading on her own. ‘I’m not sure that’s a good thing,’ she said.
‘Oh,’ Carol said softly. ‘Things not too good?’
Liv sighed. ‘Everything else in his life comes first, beforeus.Jake’s got his agenda and I’ve got mine. They don’t seem to meet in the middle, or even meet at all.’
‘You’ve been married a long time. It’s not all hearts and flowers.’
‘It was for you and Dad. I’d love a relationship like yours.’
Carol ran a finger around the rim of her glass, thinking for a while. ‘Me and your dad had our issues, too,’ she said. ‘You shouldn’t think everything was perfect.’
