‘Everythingispossible! For you guys at least. I said to Georgie, “There’ll be Cass and Dom driving around the town in Ferraris while our little one waits at the bus stop like Dad when Mum came along. Hope they stop and give him or her a lift, especially if it’s bloody raining!”’
‘Why do you say things like that?’ Julie hadn’t meant to snap.
‘I ... I don’t know, I just ...’ Cleo blushed as a cloak of unease descended over them, which Julie instantly regretted.
‘Sorry, Cleo. It’s not you. I just hate the bloody obsession with cars and cash and all the other rubbish that goes with it. Is it all anyone talks about?’
‘I was only joking.’ Cleo spoke softly. ‘It’s what we do! Joke about MrMoneybags!’
‘Well, how about we try doing something different?’
There was an awkward second of silence while the two friends let the dust of their unfamiliar exchange settle.
‘I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.’ Julie tucked her hair behind her ears, a slippery coating of guilt making her feel uncomfortable.
‘I’m worried about you.’ Cleo kept her voice low as she spoke the words that were at once concerned and forgiving.
I’m worried about me too... There were moments when the predicament her family found themselves in felt more than a little overwhelming. This was one of them.She knew it was their reputation – flash, rich, big spenders – but if and when that all disappeared, what would be left? What would people say then?
‘I’m fine!’ She spoke with an overeager tone that would have made Winnie proud. ‘There’s just a lot going on right now.’
‘A lot how?’ Cleo studied her face, and Julie looked away, not sure what or how to tell Cleo that she and Lawrence were in trouble. Big trouble. And even if she had known the words, she had promised her husband that they would keep things to themselves.Least said soonest mended... But this mantra was getting harder and harder to observe. Even Cleo, who was staring at her earnestly, was starting to see the cracks.
‘You can talk to me, Jules.’ Her friend thumbed the back of her hand. ‘You know that. You can talk to me anytime.’
‘I know, it’s just that ...’ What to say that would both placate her sister-in-law and keep her husband’s confidences? ‘It’s just that—’
‘Cheese!’ Winnie’s booming voice interrupted her. Immediately all eyes and focus were on the matriarch and her tray of sumptuous dairy. ‘I’ve got Danish blue, goat’s cheese, Emmental, a warmed Brie, fresh figs, home-made chutney, crackers, and a ton of grapes. Come on! All dig in! Dig in!’ She placed the large wooden tray inthe centre of the outside dining table and went back for plates and cheese knives for those who didn’t have them.
‘This baby is already doggie paddling around in fettuccine and tiramisu, I can’t shove cheese in there too. I might explode!’ Cleo filled her cheeks with air.
‘You all right, babe?’ Georgie called across the table. Julie caught the loving look the two exchanged.
‘Uh-huh.’ Cleo closed her eyes briefly at her husband and rubbed her tum.
‘If you want to get home and rest up ...?’ he offered courageously in front of everyone, fearless and seemingly not in the least concerned about what Winnie and Bernie might want, knowing as well as her that they would baulk at an early exit.
‘I’m fine for a bit longer.’ Cleo reached for a grape and placed it in her mouth; apparently there was still wriggle room for a grape among all that pasta.
‘How about a little bit of cheese, Dom, make your nana happy?’
Julie watched as Winnie dangled a piece of Brie in her daughter’s direction.
‘Thank you, Nan. Just a little bit.’ Domino smiled sweetly.
‘Such a good girl! So polite!’ Winnie handed her granddaughter a hefty wedge of the cheese. ‘We are so lucky!’
Julie felt an unattractive stab of jealousy, wondering why her daughter couldn’t show her the same level of courtesy, before remembering the sweet girl who had stroked her hair on the sofa while they watched TV and who liked to surprise her with a cup of tea while she did chores. But never since they’d returned to the UK, not one hair stroke, not one cuppa. Domino’s lack of kindness was, she figured, punishment of sorts and, again, she understood.
‘Oh no!’ Winnie shouted and placed a hand on her forehead. ‘Oh, I’m such an idiot!’
‘What’s the matter, Mum? What is it?’ Lawrence stood, concerned and ready to act, to fix whatever the problem might be. Everyone stared at the matriarch whose composure was a little rattled; whatever had popped into her thoughts must be something pretty big ...
‘I’ve forgotten to get the chocolates!’
‘Don’t worry about it, Winnie. I don’t think anyone could manage chocolates on top of the cheese,’ Georgie placated.
‘Come off it, Georgie, you could manage chocolates at any time!’ Lawrence snickered and Bernie joined in. Cleo, she noted, pushed out her bottom lip in the direction of her husband, as if this might make him feel better, supported, a sign.
