cream, though.’
‘Worse and worse. Here’s Dad.’
I wanted to keep him talking, but I had a factory to save.
Not that Clint was any help. He was as gloomy as always. ‘Those tables? You’ll be lucky to get fifty. Not worth worrying about now the factory’s closing down.’
He was so different from Nick. Perhaps I’d have to shock him every day to make him stay positive. Yesterday’s optimism sure hadn’t lasted long.
‘Dad’s doing okay, Clint, but he’ll do a hell of a lot better if we keep the place ticking over. Why don’t you turn up for work at the usual time on Monday — that is, if you think your job’s worth fighting for.’ I hung up.
Nick must have inherited his mother’s cheerful disposition. Don’t think about Nick. Keep your mind on the business.
I rang each of the men, gave them the run-down on Dad, then asked about a reserve price for the tables.
Alton said, ‘Jeepers, Bess. Not my department. No idea. Sorry.’
Maurice said, ‘The boss always did the pricing. It’s not something that ever interested me.’
Eddy said, ‘No idea. But how about I do some research? I’ll get back to you.’
I let out a long breath. ‘Thanks, Eddy. You’re brilliant.’
‘Hey, no sweat. I’m glad Charlie’s going to be okay. What’s your mobile number? I’ll get some prices to you by the end of the day.’
I locked the place up, feeling hopeful that we might be able to stay in business at least till Christmas. Eddy had the get-up-and-go that had leaked out of Dad.
I took myself home to the icy land of silence where I greeted my mother and she didn’t greet me back. She put a quiche on the beautifully set table, sat down, cut a slice, laid it delicately on a plate and handed it to me, all without uttering a word.
‘Thanks, Mum. This smells divine. Is it a new recipe?’ I was starving but I held back, waiting till she’d served herself.
She ignored that and we ate in chilly silence. At least I thought it was chilly, but when we’d finished she said, ‘Eighty-seven Epsilon Street is looking tidier. You’ve done well there, Bess.’
That was the factory address. What had brought that compliment on? I never knew where I was with her. Maybe I always misinterpreted her silences. Perhaps she did love me in her own peculiar way.
Hadleigh, come home. I need you. If only Nick wasn’t all loved up with Lulu I could talk to him, ask him to help me unravel the enigma of my mother. I could ring him, meet him in town somewhere. And Lulu would be hanging off his arm. No thanks.
After the meal, I did the good daughter thing by clearing the table and stacking the dishwasher. I decided not to tell Mum I was going to the hospital. That could be stretching her good mood too far.
‘Mum, I’m off now. If I’m not going to be back in time for dinner I’ll ring you. Okay?’
Who would know if it was or it wasn’t? She certainly gave no clue.
It was freaky to think I was actually looking forward to seeing Iris. There’s a lot to be said for the type of conversation where the other person talks back to you. Who would have thought my stepmother would turn out to be a haven in my chaotic world? Hadleigh would laugh his socks off.
I got in the car, but then raced back to check if he’d replied to my message. There was the usual big fat nothing from him, but my friends were all clamouring for an update. I changed my status to: Dad’s in hospital. Heart attack but getting better. Off to hosp now. More later.
School seemed far away, and long ago — all of a week and a bit.
I drove off thinking about Mum, Hadleigh, the business — and Nick, even though I tried not to. There was no future there for me with my handsome former tormenter.
I wrestled with the problem of Bernie instead. I’d have to find something worthwhile for him to make on the lathe if I was going to keep Dad happy. But that line of thought morphed into the question of money — I’d need to broach factory finances with Dad as
‘Worse and worse. Here’s Dad.’
I wanted to keep him talking, but I had a factory to save.
Not that Clint was any help. He was as gloomy as always. ‘Those tables? You’ll be lucky to get fifty. Not worth worrying about now the factory’s closing down.’
He was so different from Nick. Perhaps I’d have to shock him every day to make him stay positive. Yesterday’s optimism sure hadn’t lasted long.
‘Dad’s doing okay, Clint, but he’ll do a hell of a lot better if we keep the place ticking over. Why don’t you turn up for work at the usual time on Monday — that is, if you think your job’s worth fighting for.’ I hung up.
Nick must have inherited his mother’s cheerful disposition. Don’t think about Nick. Keep your mind on the business.
I rang each of the men, gave them the run-down on Dad, then asked about a reserve price for the tables.
Alton said, ‘Jeepers, Bess. Not my department. No idea. Sorry.’
Maurice said, ‘The boss always did the pricing. It’s not something that ever interested me.’
Eddy said, ‘No idea. But how about I do some research? I’ll get back to you.’
I let out a long breath. ‘Thanks, Eddy. You’re brilliant.’
‘Hey, no sweat. I’m glad Charlie’s going to be okay. What’s your mobile number? I’ll get some prices to you by the end of the day.’
I locked the place up, feeling hopeful that we might be able to stay in business at least till Christmas. Eddy had the get-up-and-go that had leaked out of Dad.
I took myself home to the icy land of silence where I greeted my mother and she didn’t greet me back. She put a quiche on the beautifully set table, sat down, cut a slice, laid it delicately on a plate and handed it to me, all without uttering a word.
‘Thanks, Mum. This smells divine. Is it a new recipe?’ I was starving but I held back, waiting till she’d served herself.
She ignored that and we ate in chilly silence. At least I thought it was chilly, but when we’d finished she said, ‘Eighty-seven Epsilon Street is looking tidier. You’ve done well there, Bess.’
That was the factory address. What had brought that compliment on? I never knew where I was with her. Maybe I always misinterpreted her silences. Perhaps she did love me in her own peculiar way.
Hadleigh, come home. I need you. If only Nick wasn’t all loved up with Lulu I could talk to him, ask him to help me unravel the enigma of my mother. I could ring him, meet him in town somewhere. And Lulu would be hanging off his arm. No thanks.
After the meal, I did the good daughter thing by clearing the table and stacking the dishwasher. I decided not to tell Mum I was going to the hospital. That could be stretching her good mood too far.
‘Mum, I’m off now. If I’m not going to be back in time for dinner I’ll ring you. Okay?’
Who would know if it was or it wasn’t? She certainly gave no clue.
It was freaky to think I was actually looking forward to seeing Iris. There’s a lot to be said for the type of conversation where the other person talks back to you. Who would have thought my stepmother would turn out to be a haven in my chaotic world? Hadleigh would laugh his socks off.
I got in the car, but then raced back to check if he’d replied to my message. There was the usual big fat nothing from him, but my friends were all clamouring for an update. I changed my status to: Dad’s in hospital. Heart attack but getting better. Off to hosp now. More later.
School seemed far away, and long ago — all of a week and a bit.
I drove off thinking about Mum, Hadleigh, the business — and Nick, even though I tried not to. There was no future there for me with my handsome former tormenter.
I wrestled with the problem of Bernie instead. I’d have to find something worthwhile for him to make on the lathe if I was going to keep Dad happy. But that line of thought morphed into the question of money — I’d need to broach factory finances with Dad as
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