‘You weren’t overly helpful when I was fighting that plastic bag in Kamran’s hallway. You were laughing at me.’
‘Oh, Jess, you were so funny. Robyn and I were laughingwithyou, notatyou. Every time I think about it, I can’t help laughing again. Brought to your knees by an orange Sainsbury’s carrier bag.’
I found myself giggling. ‘I’d had a bad day: realised I no longer wanted Dean in my life even though I’d just taken him back. Knew Lola would be furious with me if I made him leave again. And I’d just been presented with a dog I didn’t want.’
‘A dog?’ George’s eyes opened in surprise.
‘Hmm. Arthur. Well, Dean wanted to call him Scargill, but… you know…’ I trailed off. ‘And, just so you know, before you start reporting me to the RSPCA, Idowant him now. I love him.’
‘Once I sell my apartment and find the house in the countryside I’ve always wanted, I’ll have a dog myself.’
‘To go with the hens and bees?’
‘Absolutely.’ George paused and then held out a hand. ‘So, I reckon we got off to a bad start, you and me.’ He smiled. ‘Friends?’
‘Is all this just to ensure I’m going to be part of the hockey team?’ I smiled. ‘Because if it is, you can cut it out right now. I’ve already decided I’m going to be there every week.’
‘You’re very talented, Jess.’ He smiled. ‘And a training programme at the gym will only enhance that talent.’
‘OK. OK!’ I put up both hands. ‘I’ll sign on the dotted line.’
‘Look, we’re about to be related. I think you’ll be my step-niece once Kamran and your mum tie the knot. I love your mum…’
‘So do I.’ I felt tears threaten yet again at the thought of Mum moving out.
‘So, as you’re going to be officially family, you’re entitled to a very much reduced gym membership rate.’
‘Really, you don’t have to.’ I felt myself grow hot. ‘I don’t need charity.’
‘Stop always being on the defence, Jess. And yes, Idohave to. It’s just another way to ensure you’re in the best possible place to get Upper Merton Hockey Club up the league tables…’ George broke off, standing as a woman ran towards us. An exceptionally beautiful woman, blonde hair swinging in a ponytail as she moved. A woman who, without an obvious scrap of make-up, was absolutely stunning.
‘Oh, good! Georgie, darling, I didn’t realise you were down here today. I’ve been messaging you all afternoon.’ She placed an arm proprietorially in George’s own, ignoring me completely. ‘Come on, let’s go. I want to show you the mostdivine houseI’ve found. You’re going to absolutely love it when you see it.’
24
‘Lola!’ I made my way upstairs and into Lola’s bedroom, pulling back the curtains and opening the window wide on the most beautiful April morning I reckoned I’d ever seen. Both my own and Mum’s gardens were alive, vibrant with a spectacular array of blossom in pinks and whites that seemed to have appeared overnight.
Mum, had she been at home, would already have been down there, pulling at a recalcitrant weed, tying back drooping daffs or simply sitting on her garden swing under the magnolia with her first cup of Earl Grey while breathing in the chilly but fragrant air and listening to birdsong. I looked at my watch: she and Kamran would be already well on their way home having successfully dropped Sorrel off at the Susan Yates School in Camden, late the previous afternoon.
‘Lola,’ I said once more. ‘Come on, sweetie, time to get up.’
‘It’s the holidays.’
‘It’s nine o’clock.’
‘Middle of the night,’ Lola muttered, pulling the duvet over her head. ‘Ruby never gets up before…’
But I wasn’t listening, my attention caught by a movement down below in Mum’s garden. Joel was on the swing, a pile of books as well as Arthur at his feet, a leaflet of some sort in his hand. He stood suddenly, unaware that he was being watched, bending first to talk to and stroke the dog before beginning to stretch and move. He shifted tentatively at first, and then with more confidence, stepping and dancing around the swing, now onto the lawn to which Mum had given a final mowing before she left for good. The grass was obviously very wet with dew, and I watched as Joel appeared to tut crossly, shaking his trainered feet in annoyance. Then he simply bent, removed both trainers and socks and went for it, barefoot, singing from the sheet in his hand as he danced while Arthur settled protectively on the trainers. Joel stopped more than he moved, cross with himself, swearing as he shimmied, jived and boogied across the wet grass, tapping at his phone and earbuds to stop, start and replay over and over again.
‘Wow!’ I opened the window further, eager to capture Joel’s every move as he high-kicked out of sight, reappearing into view by way of a quite mind-bogglingjetéacross a flower bed, startling Arthur, who gave a short, surprised bark before moving a couple of feet away from the action. Robyn had always said how brilliant the kid was, but I’d never imagined anything quite like this. ‘Come and look, Lola! Comeon!’
‘I’m still asleep. Close the window, it’s cold.’
‘Lola,’ I said, my attention now on my daughter rather than my lodger, ‘I need you up and running. I’ve to be up at The White House in a couple of hours. You’ve a choice: I can drop you down with Dad at the garage or you come with me and Arthur when I drop him off at Hudson House. The oldies would love to see you: you could chat to them and play draughts and?—’
‘Youarejoking,’ Lola muttered, her black tousled head rising slightly from the pillow. ‘It’s myholiday. I’m not spending it with a load of wittering old biddies who just want to tell me what they did in the war…’
‘The war? Get your history right, Lola. OK, I’ll drop you off with Dad then. If you ask nicely, he might take you out for pizza once he’s finished.’
