AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What for?” George snaps inquisitively.
“Just routine, George.” I can’t hide the irritation in my voice. “I was feeling a bit tired and Dr Harper suggested I have my bloods checked.” Actually, I’ve been having funny periods but I don’t want to relay that to George. Dr Harper thinks it might be stress related, so it’s best we find out. “Then I popped into Sainsbury’s for a few bits, then the bank.” I rub my forehead. Why do I have to explain my every move to George? I squeeze a splash of washing-up liquid into the empty vase and fill it with warm water at the sink to the backdrop of a very moany George. What on earth has got into him today?
I turn the vase onto the drying rack. A flutter outside makes me jump, then I spot a Jaybird hopping along on the roof of the garage. The garage is built adjacent to the kitchen at the back of the house, accessed via a driveway that is shared with June next door. And yes, all the rumours are true; shared driveways are a nightmare. Cindy, June’s daughter, had a terrible habit of leaving her white BMW Z4 bang in the middle of the drive, blocking Mum and Dad in. They fell out over it last year. I hadn’t seen Mum lose her rag like that in years.
“Get that car off now!” she screamed, veins in her neck bulging in anger. “I’m sick to death of asking you to move it, Cindy. This is a driveway, not a car park!”
“Okay, okay keep your hair on,” Cindy whined as she trotted towards her car in six-inch heels, tugging at her fitted, skimpy white mini-dress. “I told you to just knock for me if you want to get out, Ruby.”
“Why should I have to knock for you every five minutes, hmm? Oh, just get a move on, will you?”
“How dare you! This is my mum’s house.”
“I don’t give a mile-high-club whose house it is!”
Cindy screwed up her face in confusion. “A what?”
“A flying fuck,” I explained, desperately trying to restrain Mum.
Mum swivelled her head towards me, hair flying, mouth foaming. “Don’t swear, Audrey. I own half of this drive, Cindy, and YOU’RE trespassing.”
Cindy begrudgingly climbed into her car and reversed onto the street, all the while complaining and threatening litigation. Satisfied, Mum dusted herself down and marched back into the house, slamming the door behind her. They haven’t spoken since.
The Jaybird nips at the twigs in the gutter. I flick the kettle on and open the cabinet door. Mum always has some dried milk for emergencies.
“And then where did you go?” George demands.
“And then I came straight round here to check on the house,” I hiss. An aroma of fragrant seasoning wafts into my face as I reach for the jar of powdered milk behind the little spice bottles. “Those were your instructions, weren’t they?”
“Well, you don’t have to be like that.” George is offended. “If it’s putting you out…”
I soften. I mustn’t take my frustrations out on my brother. It isn’t his fault that Nick is in a coma. It’s mine. “No, no, it’s not a problem, George. Look, I’m having a crap day. I’m sorry.”
“Anyway.” George never holds onto resentment for long.“Vicky’s cooking supper for you tonight. 7 o’clock okay?” Oh no, not tonight. I wanted to go back to the hospital. I promised Ronan. “Actually, George, I did have plans for tonight.” I cringe as I pour hot water into the mug.
“What plans?” he asks accusingly as if I’ve no life of my own.
“I’m meeting Fearne from work,” I lie, “she wants to run over some ideas with me for a new client’s website.” I stir the tea vigorously, praying he’s taken the bait.
“I didn’t know you were back at work,” he says, munching.
“George, are you eating?” I feel my muscles relax. If George is busy eating then it means he’s probably lost interest in my whereabouts of this morning and has fallen for my excuse. I pad into the lounge, sipping on the way.
“Yeah, only a Mars Bar, though,” he grumbles, “I’m flipping starving. So, when did you go back to work, then? I thought you were going to take the rest of the week off.” I’m not going to get away with this as lightly as I thought.
“I’m back in the office on Monday officially.” I thread my fingers through my hair and stare at my reflection in the mirror above the fireplace. A sunken-eyed creature glares back at me. I really ought to get some rest. Seeing Nick yesterday has really knocked the stuffing out of me. “Fearne’s got a meeting first thing,” I go on, wiping mascara from the corner of my eye, “and wants to get a few ideas flowing. Sorry, George, can we do dinner another night? Is that okay?” I cross my fingers.
“S’pose.” He sounds disappointed and I feel dreadful. I hate lying to my family and friends but what else am I supposed to do? They’d never approve of me visiting Nick. “What about tomorrow, then? Is that convenient?”
My heart sinks. “Oh, George, I’m seeing Louise, we’ve already arranged it.” I’m not lying. We’re meeting for an afternoon of coffee, cakes, and a gossip, but I’m sure it’ll run into the evening, we’ve so much to talk about. “But how about Saturday?” I offer, “I’m all yours then.”
“Now, that sounds like a plan.” Phew. “Bring a bottle.”
The doorbell shrills loudly as I return the phone into its cradle. Shit. I catch a glimpse of June’s silhouette through the window as I lunge out of view. I can’t handle any of mum’s friends today.
I crawl in combat style out of the lounge and head for the kitchen. If I can get in there quickly and close the door behind me she’ll think no one’s home.
The bell rings again furiously followed by a loud knock at the door. I freeze, half-way down the corridor and turn my head slowly, eyes wide with fear, pulse hammering in my ears. Why is she so persistent? She knows that Mum and Dad are away. It’s not that I don’t like June, quite the contrary, actually, but I just can’t deal with her inquisitiveness, not today. I’m not ready.
