Beth breathed a small sigh of relief. She might just be able to manage that by herself. ‘Can I give you a hand with dinner?’ she asked. ‘You’re actually in luck, as I’m an absolute whizz at nothing at all –exceptstir-fry.’
‘Nonsense,’ Paul replied. ‘She’s also excellent at boiled eggs.’
‘That’d be nice,’ Erin replied. ‘Thanks, Beth.’
‘No problem. I’ll jump in for a quick shower first.’
Erin’s bedroom was nestled away at the back of the house. Beth had seen it in its previous incarnation – huge but very beige, with heavy dark wooden furniture which undoubtedly had a past. Ten years later and it was a completely different room. Soft lemon walls, white furniture and peach accessories scattered throughout. She wondered whether it looked like this while Scott was alive or if she’d redecorated to try and minimise some of the memories she held there.
The bathroom was also updated. A wet room with nothing to step up to or fall over. As she undressed and walked in, she realised that this was the first time she hadn’t struggled to shower in over a year. For a moment, she felt like her old self.
* * *
‘Kerry is quite a beautiful county, it seems,’ Christine noted as they got ready for dinner. ‘Bigger than I thought.’
‘It is,’ Becky replied, watching Christine sweep blusher over her cheeks. ‘I haven’t seen as much of it as I’d like to. Maybe after we leave on Monday, we could do a little exploring for a couple of days? Find a guesthouse or a B&B?’
‘No, I have clients booked in when we return.’ Christine didn’t look at Becky, preferring to move on to her eyebrows.
‘Me too, but I’m sure I could rearrange my appointments.’
‘People rely on me, darling. I can’t be that cavalier, it’s unprofessional. But maybe another time.’
Becky fastened her trousers with such force she feared she’d broken the zip.
‘You know, Christine, sometimes I hate the way you speak to me.’
The corners of Christine’s mouth twitched downwards, an expression she sometimes gave when she heard something unfavourable but was still, on the whole, unbothered. ‘Really? And how would you like me to speak to you?’
‘Like a normal person!’ Becky exclaimed. ‘Like someone who’s actually conversed with another human being before! Like a girlfriend who—’
‘Partner, Rebecca, we’re not teenagers.’
Becky felt the vein in her forehead throbbing. Christine was remarkable at staying completely cool, unmoved by any kind of confrontation. Becky had never even heard her raise her voice. Once a quality she admired, now she found it rather perturbing. Her girlfriend was like a robot.
‘I’m sorry you’re upset,’ Christine said. ‘How would you feel if I said that perhaps it wasn’t the way I speak to you that upsets you, but the way you choose to hear my words?’
How would I feel?Becky thought to herself, unable to even look Christine in the face.I would feel like losing it. I would feel violently pushing you out of that second-floor window and then I would feel sad that I’d ruined Erin’s lovely driveway.
‘I would feel like you’re just saying shit to get out of having a real discussion about this,’ she finally replied. ‘To avoid taking some responsibility.’
‘Interesting.’
Becky pulled her shirt over her head, mouthing expletives.
‘I’m starting to wonder whether coming here wasn’t quite as wonderful as you’d hoped,’ Christine continued. ‘A lot of big personalities here, not many boundaries. I’m struggling to see where you fit in, if I’m honest.’
‘Look, I know you’re miserable here, I get it. My friends just aren’t your bag and that’s fine. But we will be out if here soon enough and then you can continue to rip them to shreds at a more suitable time. All I’m asking is that you just make the best of it while we’re here. Maybe even try and have a little fun, God knows you need it.’
‘I’m sorry you’re under the impression that I dislike your friends,’ Christine began. ‘I really have no feelings towards them one way or—’
‘See you downstairs,’ Becky said as she firmly closed the door behind her.
* * *
Erin’s karaoke machine was at least two hundred years old and had Beth known this she would have brought her own or at least a better microphone.
‘This machine takes CDs, Erin!’ she declared. ‘Do you even have the CDs?’
