Sorry to hear about your sheep, Hannah. It’s such an un-Christian thing, leaving an animal like that. People should take more responsibility for their dogs. 15:32
Hannah Chapman, Jakob’s mum
They should. If anyone hears anything, please let me know. BTW, Lorna, I think you’re admin on this group. Do you want to invite Nancy to join? 15:32
Nicole Wilson, Bella’s mum
Bit early, isn’t it? 15:33
Hannah Chapman, Jakob’s mum
Early for what? Term’s started. 15:34
Erin Mackie, Tilly’s mum
Actually, I don’t think any of us have her number. 15:34
Lorna Fielding, Phoenix’s mum
Just reminding you ladies, the open day for Ripton High is only a week away. 15:36
Erin Mackie, Tilly’s mum
It’s so bad. I saw a kid in uniform the other day smoking. And not cigarettes. No wonder so many of us are forced to pay for Kingsgate. 15:37
Lorna Fielding, Phoenix’s mum
Maybe Lara’s mum could sell her Tesla and pay all our fees! LOL 15:38
EIGHT
Saturday 5 September
When Imogen had booked Rosie’s birthday party, she’d come up against strong resistance from her husband. It was costing a bit, considering what they’d gone through the last eighteen months. But despite Dylan saying Rosie should settle for having a couple of friends over to the house, Imogen had insisted. Yes, they needed to save for a deposit so they could actually buy somewhere, not just rent the poxy little cottage they all now had to manage in, but she couldn’t bear the idea.
She didn’t want to feel destitute. She didn’t want the shame of it, the misery. She was Imogen Wood – one of the village’s most notable residents. She’d been on prime-time TV, for God’s sake! Two series co-presentingMaestro Chef.
She also wanted her daughter to have something nice to look forward to. God knows they’d hardly got her a present – some flowery stationery – which was a far cry from what Rosie had received in previous years. With a pang, Imogen remembered Rosie’s gift from a couple of years ago – a new pony. Lupin had had to be sold, along with everything else.So no, they would not be getting out some popcorn and putting on a movie in the too-small house, they would be allowing Rosie to do some paddleboarding with her friends on the water.
Only one child was missing. Lara. That new kid. And her awful mother. When that woman – Nancy – had come over saying that Rosie had invited her child, for a moment, Imogen had been unable to speak. Later, Rosie had said she hadn’t known who Lara was at the time. And now she wished shehadn’tinvited her. She wanted to uninvite her but, as much as Imogen wished it too, it was impossible.
She looked over towards the activity centre, where Dylan was talking to the rep and the kids were all getting into wetsuits. It was only two minutes until the party started. Maybe they wouldn’t turn up. She allowed herself a brief glimmer of hope and then she saw a brand-new car pull up in the car park. A Tesla.
Imogen tried not to watch as the car doors opened – in that way that looked like a bird of prey, lifting up towards the sky. The other mums were staring in a mixture of admiration and envy. It wasn’t just Nancy and Lara getting out but that other woman too – the one who had been so mean to Rosie in the playground the day before.
Then they were at the picnic table, all smiles. Imogen plastered her own on.
‘Sorry we’re a bit late,’ said Nancy.
‘It’s my fault,’ said Beth. ‘I couldn’t tear myself away from Nancy’s garden.’
Imogen gritted her teeth. ‘It’s not a problem.’ She noddedover to the activity centre building. ‘It’s about to start.’ Lara ran over to the other kids to get changed.
‘Would you like a coffee?’ asked Imogen.
They both accepted – of course they did – and Imogen went in to the cafe, feeling the cuts of spending money she didn’t really have on someone who had already robbed her. She took a deep breath and looked out of the window, back towards the picnic table where all the mums were gathered, chatting. Nancy seemed to be as much a part of the group as anyone.
Imogen suddenly had an urge to go back over. As she arrived back at the picnic table, the mums were all turned towards the reservoir, watching as the children clambered onto their paddleboards.
