When Gilly had put plates of food down in front of them, Jago’s so full she had to use a side plate for the fried bread and the hash browns, Gilly sat down at the table too.
‘Are you sure that’s enough, darling?’ she said, looking at Helena’s bacon and tomato on wholemeal toast.
‘Yes, thank you, Mum. This is just what I fancy. And if I ate all that’ – she looked at Jago’s mountainous plate – ‘I’d have to become a brickie to use up the calories.’
‘Well,’ said Gilly, apparently satisfied by this reply, ‘I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve got something I want to tell you.’
Panic ripped through Helena like a lightning bolt. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Yes!’ said Gilly, laughing. ‘I’m very all right. It’s just William is going to come and live with me, here at Fairacres.’
Relief made Helena suddenly weak. ‘God! Mum! Why all the drama? That’s lovely news.’ She got up and kissed her mother.
‘Yes, it’s great!’ said Jago. He looked at Helena, who shook her head slightly. She wanted to hear all about her mother before telling her about how she and Jago had come back together again.
‘I’m so pleased you’re pleased,’ said Gilly, sounding relieved and a little surprised. ‘I went to see Martin and Cressida last night. He was not impressed by the thought.’
‘Oh, men!’ said Helena. She made a dismissive gesture with a hand that happened to be holding toast and marmalade. ‘He just wants you to stay being his mum forever and not anyone else’s partner.’
‘He summoned your father for backup.’
‘What? Dad?’
‘He’s only got the one father, darling. You and he have that in common.’
‘But why?’ demanded Helena, crunching loudly.
‘For backup. Sebastian wasn’t impressed either. He seemed to think he had rights to this house and could say who lived in it.’
‘That’s outrageous! I do hope you told him where to get off.’
Gilly seemed a little embarrassed. ‘I think he got my drift.’
‘So what happened? Tell all!’
‘More toast, Jago?’
‘Mum! Don’t change the subject. You’re hiding something. What went on?’
Her mother exhaled sharply. ‘I had a bit too much to drink.’
‘What? At Martin’s house? I didn’t think that was possible!’
‘I went into the kitchen. Cressida had a bottle open and I had a quick glass while I was there.’
‘And she allowed that?’
‘She was quite sweet about it actually. She was embarrassed about Martin inviting Sebastian. We shared a moment of solidarity.’
‘But what about the rest of it? And so far, you’ve had a glass of very dry sherry—’ Helena turned to Jago. ‘Martin always gives her very dry sherry. He knows she doesn’t like it. But, Mum, you couldn’t have got drunk on that.’
‘I didn’t actually get drunk, darling. Although I did have at least two glasses of wine at the table – one of them I poured myself so it was nearly full. But too much to drive.’
‘So, you got a taxi home?’ said Jago. ‘Do you want help picking up your car?’
‘I do need help with that, Jago, although to be honest I’d forgotten about my car.’
‘Did you get a taxi?’ asked Helena. ‘Or did Martin or Cressida run you back?’
‘No. I left without telling anyone I was going.’
‘So … you ran away?’ asked Helena slowly.
‘Yes. Your father was really quite angry. I was a bit …’
‘Frightened? He frightened you! Bastard!’ said Helena. ‘You were worried he’d come after you?’
‘Only briefly. William was here when I got back.’ Ulysses the cat jumped on to her lap. ‘So I had Uly and William to protect me if he had.’
‘My father doesn’t like cats,’ Helena explained to Jago. ‘We got a kitten as soon as the house was properly ours.’
‘I like cats,’ said Jago.
Remembering how they had met, Helena smiled. ‘So do I. But, Mum, why was William here?’
Gilly seemed a bit embarrassed. ‘He was passing and he just called in?’
Helena shook her head. ‘Try again, Mum.’
‘I’d sent him a text while I was in the kitchen at Martin and Cressida’s house. Apparently it gave him the impression all was not well. He didn’t know where they lived so he came here.’
‘Good for him,’ said Jago.
‘So you really don’t mind if William moves in with me?’ said Gilly, who seemed to be a bit obsessed.
‘No, I’m utterly delighted, Mum!’ said Helena and went back to kiss her mother again.
‘And if we had a big party to tell the world what we’re up to, you’d come?’
‘Of course!’
‘Try to keep us away!’ said Jago.
Helena felt her mother had relaxed a bit as she and Jago went through the house with her looking at furniture. Gilly had already put stickers on everything she wanted to get rid of.
‘Can we say yes to everything?’ said Helena.
‘There are some nice pieces here,’ said Jago.
Gilly seemed sceptical. ‘It’s just a load of old junk, really, and very battered.’
‘I like battered,’ said Jago. ‘And I’d like to restore some things.’
‘But do ask Martin,’ said Helena. ‘I’d hate him to think we’d taken everything.’
Gilly cleared her throat. ‘I’ll ask him. I’m not sure any of this is his and Cressida’s style though.’
‘No, but you know what he’s like,’ said Helena. ‘He’ll get cross if he isn’t asked.’
Gilly sighed. ‘He will.’
‘Are you tired, Mum? You must be. We’ll do the car another time. We’ll get out of your hair and let you find an Escape to the Country to sleep in front of.’ Helena hugged her mother. ‘Don’t worry about Martin. He’ll come round eventually.’
But Gilly couldn’t relax. After Helena and Jago had gone, Gilly went out through the front door to dead-head her hanging baskets. She was so happy that Helena was completely relaxed about her living with William, but while Martin was upset about it, she couldn’t properly relax.
She was surprised to see her car parked there. She sighed. Its presence implied that someone – probably Martin and Cressida – had delivered it without coming in to say hello.
All her happiness about living with William melted away, leaving her with a feeling of unease. She and Martin had never been as close as she and Helena for all sorts of reasons but while she didn’t always like him, she did love him very much. The thought of him being upset with her was heartbreaking.
She’d gone against Martin with regard to selling her house and releasing some capital so they could upgrade. And while she hadn’t liked to disappoint him, she knew she was right to stick to her guns and keep the home she loved.
But maybe inviting William into that home was going too far. Maybe it was unfair to Martin when he was so against it, and even if Martin was being unfair, she and William were quite happy as they were – or at least, happy enough. Or perhaps the elegant town house near the shops and restaurants should be considered seriously? Should she throw her lot in with William, sell her home and share out the money?