‘Thanks, Mand. And about Danny – despite all, I’m happyhe’s in my life, and I can relax now he’s got someone in to cover days off and holidays. He would work seven days a week before he met his fella. And he said I can go down whenever I want to. I’m really lucky there.’
‘Good to hear that his relationship is still going strong, too.’ Orla flicked the kettle on.
‘Yes.’ Vic sighed. ‘Just need to sort myself out now.’
‘Yes, whatishappening with Nate? I’m slightly confused,’ Orla added.
‘Yes, and what about Jerico, the author guy?’ Mandy added. ‘He sounded lovely.’
Vic groaned. ‘I don’t knowwhatabout anything. I’m so confused about relationships and how I should actually act or be. It’s like I don’t know how to feel anymore. It’s been so nice to hang out with Danny and just not even have to think about it for a while. I’ve pushed everything to a vault in the back of my mind. What I do know is that I really like Jerico, but I’m too scared to tell him about my HIV in case he doesn’t deal with it, and I’m not missing Nate as much as he is missing me, but he is still hounding me to go and see him.’
Orla took a sip of tea. ‘Oh, Vic. In my opinion, you should just come out with it to Jerico. At least you’ll know one way or the other.’
‘That sounds so easy in principle.’ Vic blew out a big breath. ‘Nate has given me an ultimatum. Says there’s waiting and then there’s waiting. He’s been so patient with me. He’s invited me to the Lakes this weekend to talk face to face. It’s only fair, I think.’ She looked troubled.
‘Yes.’ Mandy furtively checked in the pram to see if the baby was sleeping. ‘It’s no good on the phone. You do need to see him, Vic.’
Orla nodded her agreement.
‘I really do.’ Vic sighed. ‘Here’s hoping I come away with some kind of closure.’
THIRTY-TWO
WINDSOR
The Father
Vic could hear the music of Simon & Garfunkel playing as she approachedLazy Daze. The distinguished-looking white-haired and bearded Jake Turner was sitting in his usual chair outside his beloved narrowboat, making the most of the last rays of the August day. He was drinking a can of ginger beer and as he caught sight of Vic, he put out his cigarette and, singing softly along to the lyrics of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, he stood up, then lowered his hand to help her up on deck.
‘Hello,’ Vic said softly, noticing their identical eye colour, which she had never thought twice about before. And yes, his nose was quite an ordinary-looking one, with a gentle curve, just like hers, but she’d never picked up on that either.
‘Hello, Victoria. Shall we go inside?’
They sat opposite each other on the matching armchairs, Norman asleep at their feet.
‘Your mum made us a lasagne so I didn’t have to fiddle about with food and we could just talk. How are you feeling about allthis?’
‘That Mum only ever makes lasagne when I’m around because she knows it’s my favourite.’ Vic smirked.
Jake remained silent.
‘Sorry, I feel a bit nervous. I will always know you as Jake. Call you Jake, I mean.’
‘Of course.’ Jake nodded.
‘I’m not angry or sad. Actually, I don’t really know how I feel. After getting HIV, which I know Mum told you about – well, nothing fazes me, really – not even a newly discovered parent.’ Vic laughed.
‘Always a rainbow,’ Jake added with a smile.
‘And you can understand why I didn’t tell you about that. I nearly did when you told me your devastating news about your parents. Shit, that means my grandparents.’ Vic’s face fell. ‘I’ve just realised that it wasmygrandparents who died in the fire. We have so much to talk about. I need to find out who I am, where I come from. And so much more about you. The fantastic thing, though, Jake, is that I like you. I like you a lot. You’ve always been there for me, Mum and Albie, and for that I will be forever grateful.’
‘The reason I stayed put in this very mooring spot was for you and your mother. I hope, now, that I’m building my friendship with her, so she can accept more from me.’
‘If you mean financially, she doesn’t need to. I’ve never seen her so happy in her whole life. As devastating as it is for you about Malini, it’s allowed Mum to love you. Because she never wanted to be second best in your life and was always worried that she would fall for you and you would abandon her.’
Jake looked forlorn. ‘She never said that to me.’
‘I’m my mother’s daughter – we clearly have a problem with stating how we feel.’ Vic smirked, again.
