‘What do you mean you’ll tell me later? That sounds ominous! You haven’t bashed it, have you?’ Lawrence cupped his chin, as if this might be the very worst thing he could imagine. ‘Please tell me you haven’t damaged that paintwork?’
‘No, Loz, I haven’t bashed it or damaged the paintwork. ButMrWalker’sassociate dropped by and so we took the bus ...’ Julie’s tone was deliberate, paced.
Cleo wondered who MrWalker was. First MrPortland, now MrWalker, it was all very mysterious. Any thought of humour, however, vanished as she watched the colour ebb from her brother’s face. It was hard to gauge the atmosphere, but ‘tense’ would come close.
Julie continued, ‘But you know what they say’ – she clicked her fingers – ‘easy come, easy go.’
Cleo looked towards Georgie who gave a subtle shrug; he too was clearly wondering what the hell was going on. Lawrence looked grey, as if his blood had run down into his boots. Everyone turned to stare at him. Cassian stood tall, his fingers flexing by his sides. Domino curled into the chair and put her arms around her knees.
‘Would anyone like me to bring the cheese in?’ Winnie trilled.
‘So that’s that, Loz.’ Julie ignored her mother-in-law and stared at her husband. ‘That’s that.’
‘Well.’ Georgie, her beloved Georgie stepped forward to try to defuse the situation, remind them all why they were there. ‘This is Tommy’s first day and I’m sure he has loved meeting you all, but ...’
‘The truth is ...’ Her brother ignored Georgie and began in a faltering tone that changed his demeanour. ‘The truth is ...’ He closed his eyes and there was a second when no one moved, still unsure if this was part of some elaborate pantomime or whether the couple were mid-row; either way it was more than awkward. ‘Things are about to change.’
‘What’s going on? What’s going to change?’ Winnie asked with her hand at her throat. All thoughts of cheese seemingly now fled.
‘We’re thinking of moving.’ Addressing the room, he shook his wrist, as was his habit, suggesting the feel and movement of his weighty Rolex was a thing of comfort.
Cleo felt her mouth drop open as he stole her, as yet unannounced, thunder.Please God don’t say you’re thinking of north Devon too...
‘Moving? Moving where, for goodness’ sake? I don’t understand. You have that beautiful house; you don’t mean out of the area, do you? You don’t mean ...’
Her mother, it seemed, ran out of words and Cleo more than understood, feeling an awkward cloak of embarrassment settle over the room. She was certain that everyone, like her, was thinking about the last time they had upped sticks and gone to Australia. And how Winnie had crumbled. She wondered now if her departure would have a similar effect, but doubted it.
‘Course not out of the area, Winnie! How could they? The kids are in school, it’s where their friends are, it’s where we are! And Loz has got big projects here, the new builds, the ... the ...’ Bernie sounded similarly stunned, as he voiced what they were all thinking.
Lawrence wiped his face and turned to look at his wife. There was a pause when he stared at Julie and she stared back, her expression fixed, her stance assertive, until eventually, he spoke with his hands on his hips, as if this power pose might help him finish.
‘You’re right, Dad, you are absolutely right! Lots of big projects going on, but sometimes moving is positive. A change of scenery can be good for you, gives you a new perspective.’ He banged his hands together and immediately Cleo looked towards Tommy, who thankfully hadn’t stirred at the loud crack. ‘The new houses are going to be something else; I’ve got such plans. They’re huge, with beautiful wide front doors, ornate gardens, incredible, breathtaking kitchens and so much more. I know what people want and what’s more, I know how to build them!’
‘You do, son,’ Bernie echoed. ‘So, where’s the Merc?’ he asked with a look of confusion, reminding them all that this was how the topic had started.
Cleo looked on as Domino rose from the armchair and stood with Cassian, flanking their mum, who now stared at her husband with what looked to be a mixture of loving and loathing. Thomas slept soundly and she was glad; this was hardly the induction she had envisaged into his new family.
‘I’m getting it resprayed.’ He nodded.
‘Oh, how lovely!’ Winnie clapped her hands. ‘What colour? MrPortland the estate agent has a Porsche 911 and it’s a beautiful blue. He was here earlier, you just missed him, Jules. He’s married to a man! I must admit I was quite surprised; he doesn’t look gay.’
‘What does gay look like?’ Cassian asked.
‘Not like MrPortland,’ Winnie fired. ‘Anyway, would you like me to ask him what the exact shade is, Loz? I think any car would look smashing in it.’
‘Yes, yes, that’d be great, Mum, thanks, and I can pass it on to the garage. They’re specialists. High-end specialists, they’ll do a good job. I’m sure.’ He swallowed.
Cleo watched as Jules’s face fell; she looked close to tears. It was hard to fathom what was going on, but she got the feeling all was not well between her brother and sister-in-law and from theway the kids stood close to their mum, it was clear which side of the fence they stood. Her heart flexed in anguish for them all. It made her feel thankful for the simple, uncomplicated love that she and Georgie shared.
‘It’ll be okay, Dad.’ Domino’s words of support were both curious and heart-rending, and as Jules sniffed, Cleo felt the pull of tears herself.
‘Of course it will all be okay!’ Bernie did his best to jolly the atmosphere. ‘Of course it will! We are the Kelleways, everything is always okay! We have so much to look forward to, and so much to celebrate – all good things! Not least the arrival of little Tommy boy!’
‘You’re right, Dad.’ Lawrence looked his father in the eye. ‘We have a lot to look forward to, we really do. I mean, look at my kids, my brilliant kids.’ He spoke with a crack to his voice as he pointed at Cassian and Domino who took a step closer to their mother. ‘Domino is going to go far – she’s smart, beautiful. And you, Cass,’ he addressed his son directly, ‘you have the whole world at your feet, off to university, one big party. Just think of it, all those girls yet to meet.’
‘I’m not interested in meeting girls, Dad.’ Cass’s voice cracked.
‘Of course you are! Good God, is it only me who knows how to look on the bright side?’ Lawrence raised his voice. ‘Look at us all sat around with faces like a wet weekend! We should be celebrating the arrival of this little one!’
