“Or help with the washing-up,” Scarlett said.
“Ten minutes,” Skylar said. “Maybe five. After that, I’ll … I’ll confer with you, Zane. And then we’re out of here.”
16
YOUR ANIMAL MAGNETISM
She stood up, and after a minute, her granddad did too. Of course, they now had to go someplace to talk, and she couldn’t even remember how they’d got in the door. She asked Zane, “Is there a more private spot?”
Granddad said, “Wait until we get home, and you’ll have all the privacy you need.”
“Yes,” she said, “but that’s not happening.”
Zane said, “Follow me.” He didn’t sound fussed, so there was that. But then, you probably didn’t build a decade-long rugby career by being quick to panic, just like you didn’t succumb to the vapors in the classroom.
She said, following him around corners and down stairs, “This is a very large and confusing house. Aren’t people forever losing their way?”
“Probably. It’s big enough for everyone, though.” He waved them to a seat on the sectional couch. “Talk here, and when you’re done, come find me if you still want a chat.”
He headed up the stairs again, so she sat down, and her granddad sat beside her and asked, “What?”
“Granddad.” She turned to face him and took a breath. “You can’t invite yourself—andthe kids—into another man’s home. I can’t believe I’m having to tell you that.”
He folded his arms and jutted out his chin. Wonderful. This was going to be such a good talk. “I’m not inviting myself,” he said, “not that it’s any of your concern. Last I checked, I was a grown man. This was Maureen’s suggestion, if you must know.Sheinvited me.”
“But why?”
“We just told you why. If we don’t spend time together here, we won’t see each other enough. Mahuta’s away half the year, you realize.”
“It’s not half—” she began, but he put up a hand and said, “Close enough. The Super season’s bad enough, but then there are five weeks in August and September with the All Blacks in South Africa and London, and then another four weeks in Europe in November, and that’s not to speak of the Bledisloe Cup in Aussie. January to November, and unless Maureen and I make some changes, where’s the time for us?”
“Couldn’t you just spend the days, when the kids are in school?” she asked. “And, all right, the nights as well? Although I’m not sure about that. You don’t think it’s a bad example for the kids? Hisandmine?”
He scoffed. “A bad example. Yeh, right. Because we love each other and want to be together? You sound about ninety. It’d do you no harm to spend a few nights away yourself, if we’re on to home truths. Might loosen you up a bit.”
“Loosen … me … up.” She could hardly get the words out. “There’s something wrong with me because I’m not havingsex?People live just fine without sex!”
“They may live,” he said, “but they don’t live just fine. I should know. I’ve had six years to find out.”
“Well, I hope you’re using protection,” she said, possibly as a last-ditch effort. “I’ve read about the incidence of STI’s amongst the senior population, and it’s not a pretty picture.”
She’d said it grumpily, she knew, and unfairly, too. She was afraid he’d explode. Instead, he laughed. “Just how randy a fella do you imagine I am? I’m seventy-seven, and I’ve got my hands full with one woman, no worries. In fact, I need a wee pill to?—”
“All right,” she said hastily. “That was unfair. It’s just—” She shoved a hand into her hair. “It feels awkward. The kids don’t get along. Surely you’ve noticed that. And it’s Zane’s house.Whatever you say, it’s his house.”
“And Maureen’s the only reason he can do the job he’s got,” Granddad said, not sounding quite calm himself. “You can’t expect old people to slot into the jobs you need them for and let everything else fall by the wayside. We’re people. We need things too, and we don’t have the luxury of waiting for them. I’ve found another woman to love when I didn’t think that could happen, and I want to spend time with her. If you want to hire somebody to look after the kids at home instead of having me bring them here, though, you can go ahead and do that.”
She had both hands on the sides of her head now, rubbing her temples as if that would help. “I can’t afford it. You know I can’t. And I wouldn’t want somebody else anyway. The kids love you. Theyknowyou. You’re their security.”
“I’m a bit of their security.You’retheir security, and they’ve still got you. It’s a change, that’s all. When did you get so stuck? I’m seventy-seven, andI’mnot stuck. What kind of life is that for a young woman, pouring yourself into your job and your kids and telling yourself that’s enough? Never buying a new dress just because it’s pretty, never going out for so much as a drink with a man? What did Peter do to sour you like this?”
She couldn’t say anything. The blood that had rushed to her face earlier drained from it, and she actually felt sick. “I’m—” she began. “I’m—” Then didn’t know how to go on.
Her granddad stood up. “No point in talking about this more tonight. We’re both narky, and having a go at each other when we’re in that state solves nothing. Get yourself together, and let’s take the kids home. We’ll talk about it again tomorrow. After school, when there’s time.”
And how many more days will you be there to talk to me after school?she wanted to say.When does Zane leave for the next round of finals footy? Wednesday? Thursday? What happens then?She didn’t say it, because she wasn’t under control. She was, in fact, panicked. Stupidly, unproductively panicked, like all the scaffolding she’d built around herself over the past five years was crumbling, and she couldn’t think how to keep herself from falling.
Granddad turned at the door. “D’you still want to talk to Zane?”
