Bridie repeated the conversation she’d had with Kate about losing her job, being offered another post, effectively a demotion, and refusing it, thinking she’d walk straight into another job. Turning down the job she had been offered without discussing it with Andy had clearly not gone down well.
Layla had texted during the week to ask when she could visit the theatre again. Bridie had asked after Kate. She was apparently still at their parents’ house and still job hunting.
Her mum looked stunned. ‘I don’t understand. She goes out very early every morning, all dressed up for work to catch the train to London.’
Bridie pursed her lips. It sounded as though she wasn’t the only one keeping secrets. ‘Perhaps Kate is getting the train to London to look for work.’ Bridie wondered if she had decided to make use of a season ticket she most likely still had.
Bridie didn’t see the point in that. Most jobs now involved online applications rather than visiting companies in person, although she imagined Kate probably knew a lot of people and was doing networking. Even so, that didn’t change the fact that she had moved in with their parents and had not told them.
‘But she never mentioned to us that she’d lost her job.’
Bridie guessed why. She wasn’t the daughter who screwed things up – that was Bridie. It was one thing having a row with Andy and deciding to have some space by decamping to her family home, but it was another thing entirely to admit to making a mistake by turning down another well-paid job just because she was too proud, and too stupid, to accept a demotion.
‘You know, things are starting to add up.’
Bridie frowned, wondering what she was talking about. ‘What do you mean, Mum?’
‘Your sister. Dad decided to go to London one day.’
‘Was he seeing Grandad?’ Bridie asked hopefully.
Her mum shook her head. ‘No, it was a former work colleague’s birthday, so he wanted to pop along, use up his season ticket, and have a drink at the local bar near where he used to work. Catch up with the guys he’d worked with for years.’
Bridie knew what was coming next. ‘So, he intended to go with Kate one morning, thinking they could catch the train together, just like old times.’ Bridie added, ‘Let me guess – she decided not to catch the train that day after all.’
Her mum nodded. ‘Kate got really flustered, said that there was a change of plan, and she was working from home instead. Our home, obviously.’
‘Obviously. Except she wasn’t working from home,’ Bridie said matter-of-factly, trying very hard not to enjoy this; the golden girl had fallen off her pedestal. ‘Unless you count filling in online job applications working from home.’
So, she wasn’t going into London,thought Bridie. She was probably spending time in the library in Aldeburgh making online job applications. She couldn’t be getting far because if she had secured a position, she and Andy would have patched things up.
Bridie thought of a better use for her time. She could help out in one of Hannah’s shops in Cobblers Yard, earn a bit of money, and apply for jobs in the evening. But of course there was no way she’d do that; shop work was beneath her.
Bridie said, ‘I spoke with Hannah, who said she’d take her on. I told Kate I’d speak to Hannah because she’s preparing to open the bridal shop next door and will need staff. But of course, Kate wouldn’t stoop so low.’
‘Her expertise lies elsewhere,’ said her mum.
Bridie looked at her. ‘Well, so does mine, but that didn’t stop me taking the job to bring in some money.’
‘You were on the stage.’
‘Yes, and Kate worked in the City – neither of us did shop work.’
‘But it’s different. Kate works as an investment banker.’
Bridie glared at her mum. ‘Worked,’ she emphasised. Bridie knew what her mum was implying – Kate’s job was far more skilled than merely flitting about on the stage entertaining people, even though Bridie had worked just as hard as her sister and put in the same long hours. The difference was that Bridie hadn’t been to university. But it took talent and hard work to dance, sing, learn lines and entertain people.
Bridie didn’t bother telling her mum all this. Her dad would understand.
That thought had popped out of nowhere. Bridie raised her eyebrows.
Her mum noticed. ‘What is it?’ She searched her face.
Although Bridie didn’t share the thought, something else occurred to her, which she did voice. ‘You know, you’re right. My circumstances are different to Kate’s. I’m setting up my own business, just like Hannah.’
‘Are you talking about this crumbling, run-down wreck of a theatre?’
Bridie glared at her mum. She hadn’t even been inside.
