Bridie sighed. ‘I know.’
‘Now, about Jack. I know you said this … arrangement you have with him getting involved in your theatre is just between friends, but if he does happen to produce a contract, you will take the contract to a solicitor before you sign anything?’
Bridie could feel the colour rising in her cheeks. ‘Yeah, of course,’ she said, trying her best to sound nonchalant. ‘Am I that stupid?’
‘I don’t know – are you?’
Bridie was desperate for her mum to go. It was none of her business. Jack had explained why he needed a contract. Bridie understood. He ran a business, so getting involved in the theatre, even though they were old friends, still meant he had todraw up a contract even though no money would be changing hands between them until she made some ticket sales. In the meantime, it was necessary as he identified the costs and what he would need to pay the contractors from the business. Bridie wasn’t about to explain all that to her mum.
She said, ‘By the way, I’m really busy, so if Dad wants to see Barney he will have to come to me in Cobblers Yard.’
‘You’re too busy to drive down the road to Pettistree?’
‘Yeah. Unless you want to take him home to see Dad?’ Bridie knew that wasn’t going to happen. Now she’d taken Barney, her mum wouldn’t have him back in the house, even if it was just for a visit.
‘No, no I can’t do that. I don’t want a dog in the car with me.’
Or in the house.Bridie smiled knowingly. She didn’t want that either, in case they – or rather, her dad – had a change of heart and she didn’t get Barney back.
‘You know, your dad is quite busy with the annexe.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. The builders have come back to finish the inside – there’s the plumbing and then installing the kitchen and shower room. And you know what your dad’s like – he’ll want to be there checking everything is done properly.’
‘Ready for Grandad.’
‘Well, um, hopefully. If we can persuade him to leave his flat and come to live with us.’
‘I won’t hold my breath,’ Bridie quipped, suddenly feeling crestfallen at the thought that she’d been so busy, she’d forgotten to give her grandad a call.
‘Is Grandad alright? I’ve forgotten to call him.’
‘Yes, he’s fine. I spoke to him just the other day and told him you’d found a new job, and you’d been settling into a flat your employer provided.’
‘She’s not just my employer. Hannah is my new friend, as are all the shopkeepers in Cobblers Yard.’ She caught her mum frowning at that comment. Bridie said excitedly, ‘I must phone Grandad, tell him the news about the theatre!’
‘No!’ Her shrill voice stopped Bridie in her tracks. Of course her mum didn’t want her to tell her grandad. This was why they’d all fallen out – over her dad’s past.
Bridie bit her tongue, keeping that thought to herself. In any case, she realised she wouldn’t make the call to her grandad just yet, even though she missed her visits, and their chats, so much. But her grandad hadn’t called her back either, and that was bothering her. Had he been too busy, or had he forgotten? Or was it something else? She suddenly had a horrible thought – he’d somehow seen that mortifying social media post her sister had shown her mum. She bet Kate had told him about it too.
Thinking of her sister, Bridie changed the subject. ‘I heard that Kate and Andy have … fallen out, and she’s moved back in with you.’
‘Yes, that came out of the blue.’
Bridie bet it had. Kate’s life had always appeared picture-perfect, just like their brother Jeremy’s. Bridie was the one whom they’d expected to return home. Bridie knew Kate was the last person they’d imagined would turn up at their door.
‘Every marriage has its ups and downs,’ she said sagely. ‘I’m sure things will iron out soon.’
Bridie shrugged. ‘I guess.’ She wouldn’t know. She’d never been married. ‘Maybe things will look up when Kate gets another job.’
‘Another job? What’s wrong with the one she has?’
‘The one she has? She lost her job – remember? Now, she’s looking for another one.’
‘She’s lost her job? What are you talking about?’
Bridie looked at her in surprise. ‘What do you mean – what am I talking about?’
