‘Do come and join us, we’re in the garden.’
Determined not to be stung by being invited into my own mother’s garden, I follow her outside. Mum is sitting at the table, laughing at something Kenny is saying. It looks a happy family scene and my heart lifts at hearing her happy.
‘Hello, Lizzie. Are you feeling better?’ Kenny rises to his feet to greet me.
Another one who thinks I’ve been ill.
‘I haven’t been unwell, just busy with work,’ I reply. ‘How are you all?’ I sit down in the chair next to my mum, guessing it must be Sheila’s chair but she can sit the other side of the table. ‘How are you, Mum? It’s so good to see you out and about.’
‘Hello, Lizzie. I’m feeling a lot stronger today.’ She turns to face me. ‘It’s so lovely to see you. How are the kiddies?’
‘They’re good.’ I relate the kids’ latest escapades to her and soon we’re both chuckling.
Sheila and Kenny show no sign of going home. I guess they are intending to stay until Alison gets back. I really want to talk to Mum in private. Then Kenny’s phone rings, he answers, beckons to Sheila and they go indoors. I take my chance.
‘Mum, why does everyone think I’ve been ill?’
She looks at me in surprise. ‘Because Nick told us so.’
‘What? When?’
‘He came by yesterday and was talking to Alison. They were huddled up together in the kitchen. They’re quite friendly, aren’t they? I guess it’s because they used to work together at Arthur’s firm. Anyway, when Alison came back in I asked her what Nick wanted, and she said that he’d told her you were ill.’ She looks worried. ‘Has your anxiety come back, love? I see that you’re wearing your band.’
Embarrassed, I pull the sleeve of my top down, my mind in a whirl. Nick came to see Alison before he came home yesterday and didn’t mention it to me?
And why are they so close? Has he told me the truth about their relationship all those years ago? Or was there something between them then and now they’ve taken up where they left off? Am I right to worry that Alison is trying to get the ultimate revenge by taking my husband from me.
41
LIZZIE
‘Are you all right, Lizzie?’
Mum’s words pull me out of my thoughts. ‘Yes, I’m fine.’ I want to confide in her but how can I when Alison, Kenny or Sheila are always here? It’s like they won’t give us chance to be alone. I feel that they’re deliberately trying to cause a divide between us.
Mum yawns. ‘Oh goodness, I wish I wasn’t so tired all the time.’
I can’t believe that she’s so exhausted again. I look at her worriedly. Maybe I shouldn’t go to stay with Jodie. Maybe I should stay home and look after my mum.
‘Why don’t you come home and stay with me for the weekend, Mum? I can look after you, give Alison a break.’
Mum looks at me in surprise. ‘But George is home the weekend and we’re hoping that Sam will send over the wedding photos. I can’t wait to see them. Besides, you have enough to do with Nick away.’
I stare at her. I haven’t mentioned that Nick’s away yet. I guess he told them yesterday. During the visit he didn’t bother to tell me about, when he also told them that I was ill.
Although to be fair he didn’t get much chance, I remind myself, I was so worked up over that peanut butter and he had to get away so quickly.
He could have messaged and told me once he got there though. But then he had that problem at work to deal with. Thoughts are ping ponging in my mind and I bat them away, reciting the mantra my therapist told me.That thought can wait.It helps break the relentless whirl of thoughts consuming me.
‘Lizzie, love, you’ll make your wrist bleed.’
Mum’s voice breaks through my tumble of thoughts. I blink. Then I look down at my wrist and am astonished to see the red welt that’s formed there. I hadn’t been aware that I’d been pinging my band.
Alison returns just then. She looks surprised to see me. ‘Oh hello, Lizzie. Are you feeling better now?’
Not another one.
‘I’m perfectly well, thank you,’ I reply.
