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“I bet that was lots of fun,” said Kate, smiling at the image in her mind.
“It was, and not half as many cars around as you get these days.”
Joy chatted on until they found themselves outside Bob’s house. They paused, neither taking the first step onto the driveway.
“You’re not nervous too are you?” Kate asked.
“Hmm, well Bob’s mother is a bit of a closed book. My popping round could go either way.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me that before? Are you sure Bob knows we’re coming?” Joy looked everywhere but at Kate. “Joy?”
Joy ignored Kate’s question and marched across the drive, far sprightlier than she’d been up until that point. She rang the doorbell and Kate hovered behind her shoulder, anxious about the welcome they might receive.
“I don’t think anyone’s home,” said Kate, after Joy had rung the bell for a third time.
“Let’s look round the back.”
“Joy! No!” Kate chased after the old woman, who was already reaching over to unlock the side gate. “Joy, this is trespassing! They could call the police!”
“Don’t be such a worry wart, dear.” Joy led the way along the path that ran the full length of the house. “Wait,” she said, putting a hand on Kate’s arm. “Listen.”
The two women stood and listened. What sounded like a scream reached them, followed by the sound of breaking glass.
“You go first,” said Joy, squeezing behind Kate.
“Wow, thanks, so kind of you,” said Kate, glaring at her friend.
They continued along the side of the house until they reached a conservatory. The conservatory backed on to an enormous garden which had seen better days. Overgrown flowerbeds spilled on to grass that was in some patches knee-high, in others reduced to mud.
Joy gasped as they looked through the conservatory windows. An older version of Bob was throwing cushions around the room. Kate yelped as he lifted a plant pot above his head and smashed it to the ground. A woman cowered in a corner of the room, protected by Bob, who stood in front of her, as if on guard. The man picked up a photo frame and held it high above his head. At that moment he caught Kate’s eye.
The transformation was instant. Kate looked on as the man placed the frame carefully on a shelf, smoothed down his hair and walked to the door. He stepped into the garden and Kate gripped onto Joy as he headed their way.
“Good afternoon. You must be my two-thirty appointment. What is it? Divorce? Boundary dispute? I’m Robert Carter. Pleased to meet you.” The man held out a hand to Kate, and she took it, feeling as though she had little choice in the matter. “Apologies, but I can’t remember your name?”
“Katherine,” said Kate. “Katherine Trenain, but please call me Kate.”
“A pleasure to meet you Miss Trenain. Now, come through to my office and I’ll get my secretary to make us some tea.”
Kate followed the man into the conservatory. She looked at Bob but his eyes fell to the floor.
“Dad…”
“Shush, boy. Don’t you have homework to be getting on with? Up to your room. Now!” Turning to his guests, he offered them a seat, scratching his head as he took in the jumble of cushions and soil on the floor. “Dearie me, you can’t get the staff these days. Goodness knows what’s happened here.”
“Dad,” said Bob his voice gentle. “You’re at home, remember? These are my friends, Kate and Joy.”
Robert Carter looked at his son. His eyes clouded with tears and he looked suddenly frail. “Home?”
“Yes, Dad, you’re at home. Come on, sit down.”
“Where are Mama and Papa?” he asked, clutching a cushion to his chest.
“Don’t worry, Dad, they’re upstairs.”
“Why are you calling me Dad?”
“Sorry, Robert, I’m Bob, and this is Sheila.” Bob moved his body so Robert could see his wife.
