‘Sounds a bit like dictatorship to me.Anyway, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, as they say, and my desserts will be melt-in-the-mouth, chocolate-stuffed heaven.And now, if you don’t mind, talking of pudding, I think it’s time you allowed my guests to move on to the next course.It’s the sticky toffee extravaganza tonight, isn’t it, Dad?Or did you change your mind and make us one of your raspberry jam and clotted cream sponges?’Harry held up a warning hand, but it was too late.Edward made to swing a punch at Leo’s grinning face.In seconds, Alex and Harry were beside the visitor, gripping Edward firmly by the shoulders.Josh moved to the door ready to open it, and they swiftly manoeuvred the struggling man down the stairs and out into the street.As they closed the door behind him, Leo could hear him yelling, ‘You haven’t heard the last of this, you load of Geordie morons.Never mind closed before Christmas, you won’t last past October!And where’s Mabel?’
16
The next few days flew by, and as his plans went into overdrive Leo felt as if he was in the eye of a hurricane.As soon as Mab and Den had returned from their somewhat unnecessary Brighton mission, Alex, Josh, Den and Sophie departed for the North, so the remaining team needed to work even harder than usual.George was improving all the time.Mab had spent long hours on the phone to both Jess and Stan, and reported both sides of their story to Leo, whenever they could snatch a few moments’ breathing space.
Leo came to look forward to these updates, as if Jess, Stan and George had morphed into characters from one of the daytime soaps that he usually tried to avoid.Apparently, George wasn’t well enough to be discharged from hospital, but Jess had managed to find the keys to Marcus’s flat, cunningly hidden under a plant pot by the front door, so she and Stan were staying put in Brighton for the time being at least.Deeply shocked at the state of the place, Jess had set to and cleaned the flat from top to bottom, in between hospital visits.Mab reported that Stan had scrubbed manfully too, more besotted with Jess with each day that passed.She was so brave, he’d told his sister, and so gorgeous in the cut-offs and skimpy work shirts that she had bought from the charity shop up the road.
Leo heard how Jess grumbled away to Mab on the phone, frustrated beyond measure at her inability to find George’s father and drag him back to face up to his responsibilities.Mab seemed to appreciate being able to unload some of her worries onto Leo.
‘Bloody Marcus, she should never have married him, clearing off to Brighton like some hippy beach bum, and then disappearing off the face of the earth just when Jess needs him,’ she said.‘I know he wouldn’t be much use if hewashere, but he should at least know how ill his son has been.’
‘Has George asked for his dad yet?’Leo asked, intrigued by this complex family saga.
‘No, he just keeps going on about the Magic Man, whoever that is; it must be someone he’s seen on TV, I think.I don’t see why he’d ask for Marcus.As a dad he was worse than useless.Jess says she’ll never marry again; it was a stupid thing to do.Women are better off on their own.’
Stan had also taken to phoning Leo to let off steam, moaning that he despaired of Jess ever finding time for him.He was growing more besotted by the day, and raved at length about Jess’s bravery, her wonderful long blonde hair and pert bottom and her Madonna-like mothering instinct.Leo found himself missing all three of them badly, and hoped that Stan would be able to winkle his way into Jess’s heart.Maybe he should have a word with Mab?She might have some ideas for one of those make-overs that he’d seen Sophie watching on daytime TV.Stan could really do with a bit of a clean-up operation, even Leo could see that.
In the shop, the work was progressing at a great rate.Harry was a live wire these days and had completely enthused Nina too.He took every opportunity to pour his heart out to Leo, who was beginning to feel like some sort of agony uncle.Why did they all think that Leo could solve their problems, he wondered?It must be obvious that Leo’s own love life wasn’t a bundle of laughs at the moment.Harry grumbled that, like her daughter, Nina seemed to be convinced that she didn’t need a man for herself.She’d made it absolutely clear to Harry that friendship was the only thing on offer, but Harry could tell that she was loving the attention that he gave her all the same, even so.Leo could hear Harry and Nina chattering endlessly as they decorated the premises, moving happily from room to room, trailing dust sheets and paint charts as they tried to follow Leo’s instructions to the letter.Nina had told Harry that she was finding it more and more difficult to fit her job around all the things she wanted to do in the shop, but Harry was keen for her to continue with it.
‘She loves that old castle, Leo.All that history; there’s got to be a book in there somewhere.If she could only find the time and place to write, I reckon Nina would be much happier.’
‘Well, if Mab’s writing group takes off, she’ll have that chance right on her doorstep,’ said Leo.‘Don’t worry, Dad.Things will sort themselves out.’
‘I suppose you’re right, but I don’t want us to waste time.None of us are getting any younger, and I’ve not met a woman who makes me feel like this since… well, since your mum died.’
To begin with, it had seemed very empty and quiet in the flat without the other three brothers and Sophie.Their departure had been rather emotional, with Harry issuing last-minute instructions, Alex and Den giving advice about the shop to Leo, and everyone except Sophie looking unsettled.Sophie had said goodbye to Leo in the kitchen with the minimum of fuss.
‘Well, babe, I’ll be glad to get back to civilisation.The girls have organised a welcome-home party for me, so don’t ring me early tomorrow, because tonight’s going to be a late one.’
‘Where are you going?’asked Leo, feeling strangely disinterested.
‘Oh, only into town, round a few bars, maybe we’ll go for an Italian, although I won’t be eating out, I’ll have my health shake before I leave home.They load all that stuff up with olive oil and garlic butter, don’t they?Don’t worry, I won’t be drinking either, wasted calories, eh?’
She smiled sweetly up at him and he followed her down the stairs and out onto the pavement to wave his brothers off.As Alex tried to hurry his gang along, Sophie pecked Leo on the cheek, told Mab to give her love to Stan (‘…and don’t forget now, Mabel.I think your brother had a bit of a thing for me, to be honest… we’re nearly the same age, that might be part of it…’) and linked arms with Den as she headed for the van.Den’s farewell was quite restrained too; a pat on the back for Leo and his dad, a hug for Mab – which in Leo’s opinion went on for just that bit too long – and he was ready, lifting Sophie into the middle front seat and making her squeal delightedly.All in all, Leo was glad to see them go.He had never felt so mixed up in his life.
17
Several more frantically busy days passed, and Mab was able to distract herself from her niggling worries for most of the time.The endless jobs waiting to be done were a godsend because not only were her emotions in turmoil but Mab was feeling distinctly off-colour.She had lost half a stone by the end of the second week in the flat, which was brilliant as far as getting into her jeans was concerned, but the queasy feeling that had plagued her kept returning at odd times of the day.With no Jess to confide in, Mab felt lost.After a day or two of almost making an appointment to see the doctor, Mab managed to catch Nina without Harry, for once.
‘Nina, could I have a word with you?’Mab asked, blushing furiously.Nina paused in her task of painting an old wooden toy chest destined for the crèche, and looked up at Mab.She stretched herself and got to her feet.
‘Ooh, I’m feeling a bit creaky today, must be the damp weather.I wish the sunshine would come back, this rain is getting me down.Come into the kitchen, love.Let’s have a cuppa.What’s the problem?Have you been talking to Jess?’
‘This isn’t about Jess or George, this is about me.’
‘About you?Go on then, spill the beans.What’s the problem?’Mab watched for a moment as Jess’s mum bustled round the kitchen, getting out milk, sugar, and the loose tea that she preferred, warming the pot while the kettle boiled, and finding Annie’s little silver tea strainer.Mab wished her own mother was comforting to be around.If Ria had been different, Mab would have been in another kitchen, telling her mum about the worry that was giving her sleepless nights.
‘Nina, I’ve made the biggest mess of everything, I don’t know where to start.’
‘Take your time, start at the beginning, and Mab – try not to cry.’
Mab sniffed loudly and blew her nose.‘OK, I’ll do my best but I’m not sure where the beginning is.I suppose the catalyst was Pete leaving.I was so sad.I knew it wasn’t perfect with me and Pete, but I kept on thinking things would get better if I just tried harder to make him happy.’
‘That’s rubbish, love.Pete was never good enough for you.’
‘Well, anyway, just after he left, my mum started this campaign to help Beattie and Edward Crabtree to have a baby.’
‘What?Please tell me this is a wind-up, Mab.Why on earth would anyone do that?I’d feel sorry for any child of theirs.’Nina handed Mab a mug of tea and sat down at the table.‘Sorry, go on.’
