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The phone was ringing as she came back through the door. It had to be her mother on the landline. Flora dropped the bags on the floor in the hall and went to the kitchen to answer it.
‘Mum, hi!’
‘Flora! You’re back. Did you have a wonderful time?’
Her mother sounded perky – too perky. ‘We got back late this morning and I made it to school to pick the kids up just in time. We had a great time, thanks.’ Flora thought of the last time they’d spoken. She’d assumed her mother would still be holding a grudge so Kate’s jolliness was disconcerting.
‘So, come on, tell me all about it. Where did you stay?’
Flora looked down the hall to see the children rummaging through the bags of shopping. ‘Can you just wait until it’s unpacked, please?’ The children didn’t even look up. ‘Sorry, Mum, can I call you back? I’ve literally just walked through the door. I just need to get stuff sorted, then I’ll call you right back.’
‘Actually, I was calling to ask if you’d mind if I came over to see you tomorrow. There’s something I need to talk to you about.’
‘Is it about our last conversation, Mum? If so, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to be unkind. If it’s any consolation I’ve been feeling awful about it ever since.’
‘No, it’s not that, Flora. We’ll talk properly when I see you. If I come for about ten o’clock, how does that sound?’
Flora had hoped to go to the shop but knew now wasn’t the time to refuse her mother.
‘Yes, that’s great. I’ll be here. We can go for a walk on the beach, if you like, if it’s not raining.’
‘That sounds perfect. I’ll see you in the morning. I’m dying to hear all about your little holiday. Bye, darling.’
Before Flora could even ask another question, her mother was gone. It was not the conversation she’d been bracing herself for, to say the least, and for that she was grateful. She went to pick up the bags, collecting various escaped items of shopping along the way.
Later that evening, Flora filled Johnny in. ‘Maybe,’ she twisted her fork around the spaghetti on her plate, ‘she’s coming to talk to me about the court case.’
‘Do you think you’ll go?’ Johnny poured some white wine into their glasses. It was a subject Flora had largely managed to avoid until now.
‘I really don’t want to. I’m worried I’ll learn things in the courtroom I don’t want to know.’
‘I can understand that. Then don’t go.’
‘But if Mum wants me to, and I think she might, then I should go.’
‘Well, see what she says. You don’t have to give an answer there and then. You can always say you’ll think about it.’
‘True. Maybe I’m just burying my head in the sand. Which is basically what I think Mum was trying to say to me before.’
‘Flo, just wait and see. You don’t know she’s going to say that. This is lovely, by the way.’ Johnny took another mouthful of pasta.
‘Thanks, Venice clearly inspired me.’ She smiled at him, deciding not to mention the anchovies in the sauce.
* * *
Tilda plonked herself down on the sofa, glass of red wine within reach. Pete was putting the children to bed so she picked up her mobile and called Susie.
‘Hi, love.’
‘Is this a good time?’
‘Yes, great actually.’ Susie sounded bright. ‘Julian’s away tonight so I’ve got the house to myself.’ Tilda could hear shouting from the children in the background. ‘Well, apart from that lot, but they’re only arguing about what to watch on TV. Everything all right?’
‘I’m fine, but, well, I am a bit worried about Flora. I mean, obviously she’s still going to be feeling down, given everything that’s happened, and honestly, I think we just need to really keep an eye on her. Just without telling her. She’d hate to think we’re having this conversation about her.’
‘I know. It must be so hard. The shock of it all was awful. But I agree with you, she seems – how can I put it? – just quietly sad.’
Tilda picked up her glass. ‘I think that’s exactly it. And I don’t think she wants to talk about it particularly either. I mean, I know she loves talking about Billy, but she told me she can’t bring herself to actually think about what happened with the accident. And the court case will be coming up soon. There was something in the paper about it, apparently. Pete saw it on the train. And I’m just worried that until she goes through it, dealing with his death… she won’t be able to move forward. Does that make sense?’
