‘And it does mean that you’ll be equipped for almost anything that comes along later,’ added Rob.
Tess hoped that might be true. Last night had shown her that she could manage on her own, but having Rob and her friends around her was immensely reassuring knowing that she could call on them if she really needed to.
30
Tess, following the directions of the satnav, turned the car onto one of the new estates on the outskirts of Bramlingham. She didn’t know the area at all so was glad of the assistance as she navigated a warren of unfamiliar roads, until they reached their final destination. She brought the car to a halt outside a small, modern, detached house and turning off the ignition, she sighed a breath of relief.
‘Well, this looks to be it.’ Hannah threw a glance at Tess. ‘Thanks for coming, Mum,’ she said, peering out of the window to look at the place. ‘I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel a bit nervous.’
Tess hadn’t imagined Melody’s home to look this way. In her mind, she’d conjured up an image of something prettier, more characterful, definitely more charming. It was a perfectly decent house, mirroring the others on the road, with a neat front garden, but it wasn’t the idyllic, romantic love nest she had anticipated.
In the driveway was a small, blue hatchback and Tess wondered where Charles had parked the Porsche. Maybe in the single garage, although that would probably be a tight squeeze. She couldn’t imagine Charles wanting to leave it on the driveway overnight even if he could fit it behind the other car. She shook her head. What did it matter? She was only relieved that it wasn’t her problem any more.
‘Hang on a minute. You are absolutely sure that Melody has left?’ she asked, wondering about the significance of the blue car.
‘Yes, I texted Dad on the way over. Don’t worry, the coast is definitely clear. Come on.’ Hannah held out a hand to her mum.
Approaching the front door, Tess considered whether it had been a good idea to come along this afternoon, but Hannah had pleaded with her to accompany her on her first visit to her dad’s new home. Melody was away, visiting her parents on the east coast, and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. Charles had been asking to see Tess for some time now, so this seemed like the ideal opportunity, although she was now feeling the same sense of nervousness that Hannah had alluded to.
A few moments after ringing the doorbell, Charles appeared at the door, dressed in a pair of grey joggers, blue t-shirt and slippers. He’d lost some weight, his shirt hanging off his body loosely, and his face still appeared pale and gaunt. He looked diminished somehow, half the man he used to be. His face lit up to see them, giving a reminder of the old Charles.
‘Ah, my darling girls. Come inside.’
He greeted them both with a heartfelt hug and a kiss on the cheek, before he directed them into a room on the left which led into a large, open-plan living space with a dining area at the far end.
‘I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to this. Seeing you both is a real tonic.’
‘We’ve brought you a cake, Dad. You’re favourite: coffee and walnut.’ Hannah held up the red and white polka dot tin she was holding.
‘Have you?’ Tess was certain she could see his eyes glistening with emotion. ‘In that case, I think we should have tea and cake straightaway.’
‘I can do that,’ offered Tess. She would be grateful for something to do, feeling uneasy in another woman’s house, as she tried not to stare as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.
‘No, you come and sit down, Tess. Hannah, would you mind making the tea? The mugs and teabags are in the cupboard above the kettle.’
‘Sure.’ Hannah wandered off out into the kitchen, taking the cake tin with her.
Tess sat down on one of the two cream leather sofas as indicated by Charles, while he sat down on the other. It was a long narrow room with a wood-burning stove in the fireplace, and a round gilt mirror above. On the mantelpiece was a selection of ivory pillar candles in different sizes and on the opposite wall above the sofa was a contemporary triptych in splashes of brown and cream. The room was modern and sterile, and lacking those welcoming homely touches that Tess so valued, but then again, Melody was a single-minded career woman who probably, until recently, didn’t spend a lot of time at home.
‘I know what you’re thinking.’ Charles must have noticed her appraisal of his living arrangements. ‘Why did I leave you and the lovely charms of Hollyhocks Cottage for this?’
‘No, not at all,’ Tess countered with a casual shrug.
‘I wonder myself at times.’ Charles lifted his gaze to look around him. ‘I set out on a path that I could never have believed at the time would lead me to here,’ he said regrettably.
‘Anyway, how are you feeling now?’ Tess asked, shifting in her seat, injecting a brightness to her voice, not wanting Charles to descend into a spiral of pity.
‘Better than I was. You know, I very nearly died. They told me that. By all accounts, I’m lucky to still be here.’
‘You were very poorly, Charles.’
‘I didn’t realise it at the time, but it certainly knocked me sideways.’
Tess was relieved when, a few minutes later, Hannah reappeared with a tray of teas and the cake cut up into slices.
‘Look at this. What a treat.’ Charles took the plate offered by Hannah, and contemplated the cake, before putting it to one side. It was almost as if the effort of eating it might be too much for him.
‘Having that close brush with my maker gave me plenty of time to think and reflect. Life is short and I don’t want to spend the rest of my time arguing with two of the most important people in my life.’ He looked imploringly at Tess and Hannah. ‘Can we all be friends again?’
