‘I can stay on there for the time being,’ I say. ‘Although Alice is making noises now about heading back south...’
‘You don’t have to stay in that big house on your own,’ he adds.
‘I’m not sure where else I’ll go,’ I tell him, checking the time. It’s half past ten on this cold, wet night. In the warmth of the shop I hadn’t even noticed time spinning by.
‘Even in the short term it’s a drive for you, isn’t it?’ he adds. ‘Coming into town, I mean...’
‘It is.’ I smile. ‘Alice says I can keep on using Bea’s old car, but I’m not sure it’s going to hold out much longer. And I must admit, the house might be a bit...’ I try to find the right word.
‘Spooky?’
‘Yes, sort of. It’ll definitely feel very big and empty without Alice.’
‘And those ferocious guard dogs.’ He chuckles, and something turns inside me. It feels so comfortable and right, hanging out together like this.
‘Well, there’s a flat upstairs,’ he explains. ‘It’s pretty basic and it hasn’t been used for years. After Jane died, I thought about letting it out. Then I had in my mind that Liv and Rory might need it after Finn was born. But...’ He shrugs. ‘That didn’t work out.’ He talks about Jane in passing now and again, quite easily. I’ve gathered that they were teenage sweethearts, together since school. ‘It seems crazy having it lying empty,’ he adds. ‘We could clear it up, give it a lick of paint. Rory would help. You’d be welcome to move in there, if you’d like to...’
My heart seems to lift. ‘Are you sure about that?’
‘Absolutely, yes. You might want to see the place first, though. I mean, it’s not quite the grandeur you’ve become accustomed to,’ he teases.
‘It’s a really kind offer,’ I start. ‘I mean it. Thank you.’
He shrugs as if it’s nothing. ‘It just seems to make sense. We could make a start on the place next week, if you like? No pressure, though. Maybe you’d like to think about it... but shall I show you now?’
‘Why not?’ I say. So we head up the narrow staircase in the alleyway next to the shop. The flat isn’t nearly as bleak as Fergus made out. It’s tiny, yes – just a minuscule kitchen, living room, shower room and bedroom. But all the basics are here – bed, chest of drawers, tiny sofa, table and two chairs – and I can’t think that I’d need anything more.
‘It’s perfect,’ I say, wanting to hug him, overcome by his thoughtfulness. Instead, I try to push away my racing thoughts and say, ‘You know, Fergus, I think I’d be really happy here.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Vince
As is his custom these days, Vince lies very still on waking. He is conscious of the warmth and steady breathing of Jarvis lying on the bed where Kate used to be.
Before all this – before he lost his mind – he’d no more have licked a spilled takeaway off the pavement than allowed a dog on the bed. But he’s different now. He hardly recognises himself.
‘I know Jarvis is completely happy with you and Kate,’ Edie said last time they spoke. He still hasn’t told his daughter that he’s here alone now. Announcing it, Vince feels, would be like admitting that Kate isn’t coming back. And he’s not ready to accept that yet.
AndisJarvis happy? He seems to be, spread out like a lord, snoring softly with his head on Kate’s pillow. Obviously, if Kate doesn’t come back, then Jarvis can’t stay here because Vince will be touring, when his agent gets his arse into gear and actually secures him some work. Things are awfully quiet at the moment. Thank God Vince had some savings to live off. But it’s fine for now, the dog being here. Better than being alone anyhow. And now Vince has made the switch to kibble instead of that rank, stinking meat, he’s no problem really.
With no pressing need to get up, Vince drifts back into sleep, snuggling closer to Jarvis until a sharp noise jolts him from his reverie. Triggered by the sound, Jarvis leaps from the bed and charges to the closed bedroom door where he stands, barking urgently.
‘Hey, fella,’ Vince says, rubbing at his eyes. ‘Just someone outside.’ He’s no longer scared that Zoe’s going to turn up, force her way into the house and stand over him until he types ‘The End’ in his book. Clearly now, she doesn’t give a stuff when he finishes it. But whoisthat outside, rapping loudly on his front door? Because that’s what the noise is, he realises.Rap-rap-rap! For a moment Vince’s entire body is flooded with relief. Kate’s back! Scrambling naked out of bed, Vince knocks over a full glass of water from his bedside table and curses loudly as he grabs his ripped dressing gown from the hook on the door and pulls it on. Thus attired, he hurtles out of the bedroom and through to the hall with Jarvis barking excitedly, thrilled by the sudden activity.
Shit, where are his keys? ‘Hang on!’ Vince shouts to the human-sized shape on the other side of the frosted glass door.Isit Kate? The kitchen clock tells him that it’s ten-thirty and he cringes at the thought of her seeing that he’s not even dressed.
‘Just getting my keys!’ he announces, darting to the kitchen, and then the living room, cursing himself for not having proper places for things and always putting them there. He can’t even blame Kate for hiding them, like she did with the toolbox.
‘Keys, keys, keys,’ he rants, sparking another barking frenzy.
Spotting a telltale glint between the sofa cushions, he grabs the metallic bunch and swoops back to the front door. Kate’s back! He’ll never again expect her to cook for him. He’ll festoon her with lavish feasts!
Vince stabs his key into the lock and jiggles it, pulling open the door in a dramatic motion that seems to startle the short gaunt man standing there.
‘All right, mate?’ he says, stepping back. It’s a delivery guy with a plaster across the bridge of his nose, thrusting an electronic device at him.
‘Uh, yeah,’ Vince says distractedly.
