‘Anything that affects Erin and Lucyismy business. Why the big secret?’
‘I don’t have to justify myself to you and stop changing the subject. This is about you and Aaron. What the hell are you playing at, inviting him to your gallery and offering him art lessons? I thought I made myself clear on Boxing Day that you were to stay away from him.’
‘Oh, you did, but he came to the gallery of his own accord.’
‘You could have told him to leave.’
‘Crikey, Ingrid, have you heard yourself? What good would that have done Aaron?’ I was feeling at my wits’ end with her attitude.
‘It’s not about him.’
‘It should be.’
She released some sort of growling noise and stormed off down the street like a petulant child but I ran after her.
‘What’s the harm in me giving him a few art lessons?’
She stopped and glared at me. ‘Art lessons? He doesn’t even like drawing.’
‘You’re sure about that?’
‘Of course I am! I know my son.’ She set off again.
‘Ask him to show you his drawings,’ I called. ‘He’s really good.’
She stopped once more and took a few paces back towards me but her expression seemed to be vulnerable as opposed to confrontational this time.
‘What drawings?’
‘A day-of-the-dead-style skull, a yacht, a cat… They were on his phone.’
‘I’ve never seen them.’
‘He said Declan doesn’t like him drawing. Is that because of me?’
Her expression darkened. ‘We’re not discussing this. Aaron isnotyour son and you arenotentitled to spend any time with him. I don’t get why you’d want to anyway.’
I went from feeling sorry for her that she didn’t know about one of her son’s two main interests to being livid with her.
‘How can you not get it? I spent your pregnancy preparing for his arrival and six years loving being his dad. My feelings towards him weren’t a switch I could flick off when the truth came out and you of all people should understand that.’
‘Why me?’
‘Because your feelings for Declan didn’t switch off when he emigrated to Australia, or when you married me, or when the girls came along.’
She opened her mouth as though to protest, but how could she argue with that? I was tempted to say more, but it wasn’t going to help my case.
‘Get him to show you his drawings,’ I said, my voice gentle. ‘He’s talented but he needs some guidance.’
I thought for a moment that she was going to relent, but she stiffened and lifted her head higher.
‘He can get that at school or online. Stay away from him.’
‘I can’t stop him coming to the gallery.’
‘No, but you can tell him to leave if he does.’
‘I’m not going to.’
