‘I agree. She gives me and Dad plenty of things to worry about, but her culinary skills are not one of them.’
We ate in silence for a moment, and I was just about to brief him on sign writers for the side of the van, when Alexander spoke, in what seemed to me a determinedly casual tone.
‘I saw you with Theo this morning in the garden. He seems to have taken to you.’
‘Oh, er, yes, maybe. We were talking about birds and school.’
He frowned.
‘I don’t know what to do about school. He’s officially become a “school refuser”, but nobody – including him – seems to know why, beyond some vague suggestion of “anxiety” from the school, which doesn’t seem to merit much in the way of follow up. Between us and some kind friends, we’ve managed to keep him going here, but it’s not a long-term solution, especially if my business picks up. But it’s not just that. I want him to make friends and be with children his own age. He gravitates towards adults – me, Dad, Constance and now, apparently, you – and I wonder if it’s the best thing for him.’
I was growing uncomfortable with the conversation. How was I supposed to know what was best for a small boy? I felt totally underqualified to make any comment, so I just shrugged.
‘I don’t know, I’m sorry.’
‘That’s all right, I’m sorry for bringing it up. I just want to help my son, and I thought he might be opening up to you. Forget I said anything. Shall we look at those decals again?’
I reached for my laptop, then hesitated. Reluctant as I was to get involved, I had had one idea which had just popped into my head and seemed unfair to withhold.
‘Alexander, I don’t know if this might help a little, but Theo was telling me how much he loves birds. I have a client who lives not far from here – a client I became quite friendly with when she lived in London – and she runs a bird rescue place. He could lend a hand there. It might help a little in terms of friends as they have a daughter who’s a similar age, and, if he liked it, it could be a way to get him out of the house, give him something else to focus on. I don’t know…’ I petered out and shrugged again, embarrassed now in case Alexander thought I saw myself as some kind of Mary Poppins figure, magically solving children’s problems. But his face lit up.
‘Fallon, I think that’s a great idea. Do you think your friend would be open to him coming over?’
‘I can give her a call, but I don’t see why not. She used to work at London Zoo and always talks about getting children involved in conservation. I can ask her anyway.’
‘I’d be very grateful. I know I said before that I don’t need any help looking after Theo, but this could make a difference. Better than a casserole.’
I looked up and his lopsided smile made my stomach flip over. This wasn’t going at all how I had planned. I put on my most brisk and business-like voice.
‘I don’t do casseroles or kids, but coming up with ideas is my job. Don’t worry, I’m not going to don a flowery apron and start making myself indispensable – I’ll charge you for my help if that makes you feel better?’
I had spoken more harshly than I intended, and it was Alexander’s turn to look embarrassed.
‘Sorry, I wasn’t trying to suggest…well, you know, that you were anything like Annabel, or that your motives were – I don’t know – anything other than kind. Sorry.’
This was teeth-clenchingly awkward, but I didn’t know how to backtrack. So, in true Jacqueline Honeywood style, I ploughed on.
‘No problem. Shall we finish this up and I’ll go and ring Sadie before lunch?’
He agreed heartily and soon we were back on solid ground in a place which made me wholly more comfortable than talk of children and domesticity: scrolling through an Excel spreadsheet, which asked nothing of your emotions.
TWELVE
‘Hello, Sadie? It’s Fallon Honeywood.’
‘Fallon, how lovely to hear from you! It’s been a while.’
‘Yes, too long. How are you?’
We made small talk for a few minutes, catching up on her work with the sanctuary and mine in London, before I moved on to the real reason for my call.
‘I’m not far away from you right now – I’m spending Christmas in Lingfoss. You may have seen that Mum has a new boyfriend – well, his son lives up here.’ I explained that I had needed a break from work and from London, something Sadie understood only too well. ‘Douglas’s grandson, Theo, is a huge bird fan, and I was wondering if it might be possible to bring him up to the sanctuary? He’s been having a few problems at school as well, so he’s not attending much at the moment. If it’s convenient for you, I think a visit could help him.’
‘Of course,’ said Sadie warmly. ‘He’s nine, did you say? Old enough to be able to help out, if you think more than just a visit would be good for him?’
I was relieved that Sadie understood.
‘I’m not entirely sure, I haven’t known him for very long, but that’s my feeling, yes.’
