Chapter Fifty-One
Iturned to look at Bertie, who sat quietly on the back seat. ‘Ready?’
‘Yes.’ Bertie clutched his backpack. I had no idea what was in there, but he’d promised it wasn’t an iPad, so I’d let it drop.
Rob’s hands still clutched the steering wheel, despite us having been stationary on the drive for several minutes. ‘I’m not sure I can do this.’
‘I know it’s hard, but you’re a grown man. At some point you need to cut the apron strings.’
‘That’s easier said than done when the woman wearing the apron is my mother.’
I placed a hand on his and gave it a squeeze. ‘It will be OK. Remember, we’re not in this alone.’
Rob rolled his shoulders, cracked his knuckles, and stepped out of the car. My first act of rebellion that day was in the clothes I was wearing. Cut off denim shorts, a loose-fitting shirt and Converse trainers were not Marion’s idea of appropriate lunch attire. I’d also binned my hair straighteners, enjoying the feeling of loose curls swinging against my back.
Bertie knocked on the door and took my hand as we waited for it to open. When it did, Marion’s eyes narrowed as she took in my casual attire. ‘Running late this morning, were you?’ she asked, looking me up and down.
‘No.’
‘Hmm, well, we’re eating out on the patio today.’ She kissed Rob on both cheeks, then led us through the house and onto the patio overlooking the gardens and pool. A sail-like canopy shaded us from the fierce sun, and Hugo had set up an electric fan to provide some respite from the humidity.
‘I’ve prepared a cold lunch for us today,’ said Marion. ‘I couldn’t bear the thought of spending hours by a hot stove in this heat.’
We took our positions at the table and Hugo poured out cold glasses of champagne. ‘Are we celebrating something?’ I asked.
‘Marion wanted to mark our first lunch together since the two of you got back together.’
‘I see.’
‘How is school going?’ asked Hugo, turning to Bertie.
‘I hate it.’
Hugo laughed. ‘That good, eh? I’m sure you’ll settle in soon.’
Bertie looked at me and winked. I winked back.
‘And you, Liv? How are you settling back into your normal life?’
‘I’m struggling a little with the three a.m. starts.’
‘Three in the morning? Goodness, whatever are you doing getting up at that time?’
‘It’s so I can be at work by four.’
‘Work?’ Marion appeared, carrying a large tray with an assortment of china dishes on it.
‘Did you know anything about this, Marion?’ asked Hugo.
‘Know about what?’
‘That Olivia has got herself a job.’
‘But you can’t have. You’re at home every time I call round.’
‘Yes, I know. I start work at four and I’m home by seven. It seems you can’t get the staff these days, Marion. I thought the chap you’ve had watching me might have cottoned on to the fact I go out to work each day, but it seems not.’
‘What nonsense,’ said Marion, fiddling around with a potato salad. ‘Of course I’ve not had anyone watching you.’
