She marched the dogs up to the monument and started a brisk walk along the cliff tops. She was soon breathless and even the dogs were panting. As always when she was up here, she looked out at the views of the sea and down to Hoy where she could just about make out the Old Man, the famous sea stack pointing proudly skywards.
Andrzej had told her the other day that climbers were back on the Old Man and how a particularly daring, if foolhardy, acrobat had once strung a tightrope from the cliffs to the stack and wobbled across. “They must all be off their heads,” she murmured. Like everyone on the islands, she treated the cliffs with deep respect and had taught the girls to be careful when they went on puffin watch.
“Right, you two,” she said to the dogs. “We’ve a way to go before we get back to the car and it looks like it might rain.” Kate was right. She was caught in a downpour and soaked to the skin. She gave the dogs a hot shower and a bone each to chew on, while she had a bath before collecting the girls from school.
She put her daughters on tidy duty, making it into a game, while their cat, Joan Crawford, looked down on them fromher shelf with haughty indifference. The girls had given up trying to wrap Joan in cuddles after being spat and hissed at, and Edwyn still bore the scars from when he had to take her to the vet and she had almost clawed him to the bone.
They had repeatedly wondered who would triumph in the feud between their bad-tempered Joan Crawford and Freya’s grumpy Bette Davis. It was too close to call and they all vowed never to leave them both in the same room alone together. The whole family eyed Joan warily, especially the dogs, who gave her a wide berth.
Kate thought, “This is my life, being intimidated by a cat and at the beck and call of the kids and dogs. It really is about time I did something for myself.”
Edwyn came home after another shift where he’d stayed on late to reassure a woman who was beside herself about her husband having a heart attack. He’d patiently explained that if he took care of himself, took his pills, cut down on the beer and the pies and did a bit of exercise, he would live to a grand old age.
Edwyn came home to a warm, messy house and a piping hot fish supper in the oven.
Kate and the girls had eaten, had their bath and were happily giggling in front ofSponge Bob Square Pants. To him, this was the perfect scene of domestic contentment.
When they finally went to bed after Edwyn had read them far more stories than Kate ever did, she told him: “We need to talk.”
“Oh Christ,” said Edwyn. “What have I done?”
She sighed at him, “You eejit, you haven’t done anything. Well, not that I know of anyway.” She looked at him through narrowed eyes and asked, “Have you done anything?”
Edwyn replied hastily: “Absolutely not. I just thought because you had your serious voice on that I was in trouble for something.”
“Behave yourself,” replied Kate. “I just want to talk to you about the future. Well, my future anyway.
“You know I love you and the girls, and the dogs and even Joan Crawford, although God knows why.”
Edwyn nodded, suddenly worried. “Where’s this heading, love?”
Kate met his gaze. “I need something for me. I’m just feeling as though life is passing me by. Look at Freya and Evie. They have the gallery and their art. Delima has Ola and baby Hari, but she also does all the fundraising and admin at the sanctuary. Patsy has her work as a joiner with Andrzej, and then there’s Agnes with the hair salon. Even though Maureen has been poorly, she still makes those beautiful blankets and hats and here I am just a housewife and a dog walker.” Her voice began to wobble as she finished speaking.
“Oh come here,” said Edwyn, drawing her into his arms. “You are so much more than that. I couldn’t do my job if it wasn’t for you holding everything together at home and the girls are still so young and need you to look after them.”
“I know, but soon they will be at high school and then away to university or living on their own and I will be left behind. I want more than that, Edwyn. I don’t just want to be your support act. I really want to use my law degree to help people and make a difference and if I’m honest the money would come in handy too.”
Edwyn looked at her with affection. “If that’s what you want to do then of course I’m right behind you. I can ask for my hours to get cut if that would help.”
“No, I don’t want you to do that, at least not yet. I know how much you love your job.”
She looked at him seriously. “I’ve thought about this a lot and I’m going to take a refresher course online. It will take longer, but I think I can make it work. I might have to getmy mum to babysit a bit more often and you might be getting more teas from the chippie, but I want to give it a go.”
Edwyn nodded. “Of course. I’ll support you all the way.”
“Thank you,” whispered Kate.
“You don’t have to thank me,” said Edwyn. “We’re a team.” Then he grinned, “I can just see you in court in a black gown with black stockings underneath and spikey high heels.”
Kate smiled and swatted at him playfully. “You are such an idiot, but if the girls are fast asleep, I might read you your rights while I decide on your punishment.”
“Will there be handcuffs?” asked Edwyn hopefully.
“You are such a fool. Get your arse over here.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
