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“It can be bad if it means people take advantage of you. If something needs doing, they know you’ll do it.” And suddenly it came to her. The answer. It wasn’t interference if you gently nudged someone in a particular direction. They still had choice. “And because I know you’ll do what people need you to do, I’m going to ask one more thing of you.” She didn’t need to extend this uncomfortable conversation, she simply needed to manipulate the situation to achieve the outcome she wanted.
“You told me I should start saying no,” Liza said, “and now you’re asking me to do something else?”
“Yes,” Kathleen said. “Selfish of me, I know, but I need someone to help me out with this. I should have asked you sooner.” If she’d thought of it, she would have. She’d been tackling this the wrong way. “Would you check on Popeye a couple of times when I’m away?”
“I thought you said someone was feeding him?”
“They are, but you know Popeye. He’s an independent soul, and I’ve never left him for this long. I’d be happier if I knew someone I trust is keeping an eye on him. Maybe giving him a cuddle.” She sent a silent apology to Popeye who, generally speaking, wasn’t big on cuddles. Any guilt she felt at exploiting Liza’s good nature and sense of responsibility, was diluted by the fact that her request was in a good cause.
“I’ll try, but the girls are busy and there is no way we’re leaving them after what happened last time—”
“Why not go alone? Leave Sean to keep an eye on the girls. You might enjoy it. There is nothing like an early morning walk on the beach when you’re the only one there. Sometimes I take my coffee down there and sit on the sand.”
“You do?” Liza glanced at her. “I didn’t know that.”
“Now you’re going to tell me it sounds like a risky undertaking.”
“I think it sounds blissful. I’d give a lot to have a peaceful half hour on the beach with no one around.”
“Then do it. Spend the weekend at the cottage. Have some time to yourself. Why not?”
“Well, because—” Liza frowned. “I never go anywhere by myself. We do everything together.”
And that, Kathleen thought, was the problem.
She worked hard at looking pathetic. “I wouldn’t ask, but I’m worried about Popeye, the dear soul.”
“I know he means a lot to you.” The traffic started moving and Liza eased the car forward. “I promise I’ll keep an eye on Popeye. Although I won’t be responsible if he runs off.”
“He never runs off. He goes exploring, but then he always comes home.”
Liza smiled. “I never realized before how alike the two of you are.”
“Indeed. All I need is the freedom to roam.” It wasn’t so far from the truth. “If you go to the cottage for the weekend, don’t bother shopping and cooking. There’s a wonderful deli in the village that opened recently. Tell them you’re my daughter. And if you walk a mile down the beach, the Tide Shack makes a wonderful burger. The salty fries are spectacular.”
“Your diet is shocking, Mother.” But this time Liza was laughing, not lecturing. The traffic had finally eased and they were now only minutes from the airport. “Please try and eat the occasional vegetable or piece of fruit when you’re in the US.”
“I promise to eat nothing but broccoli.” Kathleen reached for her bag and checked her passport again. She felt a little nervous, but there was no way she was going to admit that to her daughter. She could just about handle a conversation about emotions providing they weren’t her own. “It’s been so long since I traveled properly, I’ve forgotten my routine. I keep having to check my passport and credit card are there, even though I’ve already checked twice.”
“You’re going to be fine.” Liza took the turnoff to the airport. “You have a phone. Martha has my number. If you need anything at all, or get into any sort of trouble, call me.”
“I hope I do get into trouble.” Kathleen patted her daughter’s leg. “That’s why I’m going.”
Liza pulled in at Departures. “You’re incorrigible.”
“I know. Please do check Popeye for me.”
“I’ll check Popeye.” Liza opened the car door and walked around to help Kathleen with her bags. “I should have parked. Then I could have come in with you.”
“I hate prolonged goodbyes.” They exchanged a look, both of them remembering all the stressful partings when Liza was a child. Emotions had tentacles, Kathleen thought. They wrapped themselves around you and pulled you down. They dug themselves into your heart and caused pain. She gave Liza’s shoulder an awkward pat. “Thank you. Enjoy France.”
A strange pressure built in her chest.
She should walk away right now, but for some reason her legs wouldn’t move.
Liza stepped forward and hugged her. “Have fun. I love you.”
The pressure grew until it felt as if someone had inflated a balloon in her chest.
