Pippa had even tried to invite him out for friendly drinks, where she was hoping to get him to loosen up a bit so she could address what on earth had gone wrong between the two of them. But when she had invited him out to The Smuggler’s Curse, reiterating that it was for platonic drinks, he had refused her invitation.
‘Hey, you’re off on a daydream. Are you really trying to tell me that you and Kam have not had a fall out and that’s not what’s upsetting you? Because my mother senses are tingling like mad and we both know my mumma senses are never wrong!’
‘No! We’re not children. We haven’t fallen out at playtime and will make up before the home bell. It’s a professional working relationship and that’s it. Nothing has gone wrong. Can we talk about something else please?’
Pippa got up to rinse out the mug her mother had used. There was no way on earth she’d admit she had slept with him and he had then frozen her out. She could feel Jan watching her as she took out a J-cloth, sprayed the worktop and wiped it down. Hard.
She could almost hear the cogs turning in Jan’s head.
‘There you are. That’s better.’
‘Oh love.’ Her mum’s tone was so chock full of sympathy that Pippa was scared she might well up. She quickly decided to switch tack and divert her mother’s attention, otherwise Jan would be like a terrier with a rat, sympathy or not.
‘Have you heard the latest about Marion?’
‘What has she done now?’
‘Nothing. But you asked me to keep an eye and…’
‘Oh no! What’s happened?’ Jan’s mouth dropped open and her eyes scrunched up. She and Marion may not see eye to eye, but her mum wouldn’t wish harm on anyone. ‘Did that woman from the May Fayre mount a proper rebellion? Tell me it’s that and not more bad news about her marriage.’
‘No, it’s not school stuff I’m afraid, although Alison has resigned from the PTA and is spending a lot of time talking loudly about how Ashleigh is excelling in Sylvie’s ballet class. It’s driving Marion mad as she couldn’t get her boys in. All quite amusing, but no, not that. Nothing solid but…’
‘The boys are alright, aren’t they?’
‘Dear me, yes. I think those three could probably survive Armageddon.’
‘I suspect they may well herald it in.’
Pippa giggled at her mother’s naughtiness. Subject changed successfully.
‘So…?’
‘It’s just those whispers about her marriage seem to be gaining traction and you said yourself things weren’t looking good.’
‘Yes, and then Richard came swanning in and put the rumours to rest that night.’
‘Yep, but not well enough apparently. He’s been very absent again the last few weeks and it’s all started up again. The playground is abuzz with rumour and Marion is looking far from her usual self. Mind you, now now I feel bad, like I’m gossiping without knowing anything concrete.’
‘I’m your mother. You’re not gossiping. You’re passing on important village news, still rumours are horrid. Poor Marion.’
‘And you know how they snowball in a community like this. I’ve tried to be kind to her, redress the balance but you know what she’s like: she just looks at me as if I’m dirt and sweeps by to talk to someone – anyone – else.’
‘I don’t like the woman but I don’t wish her ill.’ Jan reached for another biscuit, ‘Do you think there’s any truth in it?’
‘I hope not. Whatever you say about her, her dedication to her family is evident. I think it would destroy her if that tumbled apart. But you know, Kam and I did see Richard Marksharp creeping out of some woman’s flat in the new apartment block in Treporth Bay, at gone three in the morn—’ Pippa stopped midsentence as she realised she had relaxed far too much as her mother’s eyes lit up.
‘And what were you—’
‘Nothing!
‘At three o’clock in the morning? I’d say you were definitely doing something!’
‘Eurgghh… nothing, nothing, nothing!’ And Pippa and wondered if the day would ever come when she’d be able to get something past her mother.
Chapter Forty-one
Kam couldn’t believe the last week of term had come around so quickly, with term ending on the Thursday, this was his final day at Penmenna. His initial feelings about the school had proven right: he had felt honoured to get the temporary position and was now waiting to see if he had been offered the permanent one after Rosy had invited him to interview. He felt the other interviews he had been to had gone well, but it was this one – despite his disappointment over Pippa’s response to his letter, or lack of it – that he really wanted. Rosy had promised everyone would be informed whether they had been successful or not by today, and she was like a clam around the school. He found it impossible to call based on her behaviour towards him since the interview for the Class Two job had taken place last week.
