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‘I gathered she had a tricky upbringing. Just from some of the things she’s said in passing. Not that she ever criticises Irene.’
‘No. She wouldn’t. She’s really loyal to her mum.’
‘Too loyal sometimes,’ he says. ‘I mean, it’s obvious Irene drinks too much and it seems to have got much worse lately, ever since she stopped going out. But Lois won’t talk to me about it. It’s as if she thinks she can wish the problem away by not acknowledging it.’
I sigh. ‘It’s so hard knowing what to do for the best with Irene. And I worry so much about Bertie in all this. I try to shield him as much as I can but kids notice far more than you imagine. What goes through his head when he sees his mum pouring yet another vodka, I’ve no idea. I dread to think sometimes.’
‘Kids are resilient, though. And you do an amazing job with him. You’re the lynchpin of that family, Clara. Without you, everything would fall apart.’
I start to shake my head in protest but he stops me. ‘It’s true. You care about everyone, whether or not they wholly deserve it, and I never realised how much until... well, until I started coming to the house.’ There’s an intensity in his dark eyes that makes the breath catch in my throat. ‘You’re amazing, Clara.’
I swallow hard. ‘Why, thank you,’ I mumble with an awkward smile, covered in confusion at the compliment and that warm, searching look in his eyes.
‘You’re very welcome,’ he murmurs.
We smile at each other and time seems to stand still for a moment.
Then Rory clears his throat. ‘Better go or I’ll be late for my meeting.’
‘Of course.’
‘See you later.’
I watch him walk to his car, feeling quite shaky. I’m not great at handling compliments, especially from someone like Rory, whose opinion I value so highly...
*****
‘Lois? Irene?’ I burst into the house, calling out, eager to let them know the good news. ‘Guess what? I’ve found your jewellery. I know where it is.’
I stand in the hall, listening to the scuffle from Lois’s room as she manoeuvres herself and her sparkly shoe to the top of the stairs.
‘You’ve found it?’ She stares down at me. ‘Have you got it? Where is it?’
‘Careful,’ I warn her, as she starts making her way downstairs, much too fast for my liking. ‘We don’t want another broken ankle.’
I quickly explain that I saw her engagement ring in the pawnbroker’s window, and we need to phone the police and let them know.
‘I can’t believe it. Is mum’s bracelet there as well?’
I nod happily. ‘It sure is. I’ll go up and give her the good news, then I’ll make the call to the police. I guess she’s in her room?’
She nods, her smile slipping. ‘Where else?’
‘Put the kettle on and I’ll be back down in a minute.’
Lois goes into the kitchen and I run upstairs and knock on Irene’s door. She mustn’t have heard me shouting the news upstairs over the noise of her TV. But when she calls for me to come in and I open the door, I realise the TV isn’t even on.
Irene is sitting on her bed, propped up on her pillows, hugging a cushion, and my eyes swivel automatically to her bedside table and the half-full glass sitting there.
‘Did you hear the good news?’ I beam at her, walking over to sit on the end of the bed. ‘We’ve found your bracelet. It’s in the pawnbroker’s window, would you believe? And hopefully, we’ll be able to get it back.’
She stares at me, her eyes shiny with tears.
‘I know. Isn’t it great?’ I smile at her, as tears start rolling down her cheeks.
Irene keeps so much in. I’ve always known that and wondered why. I hadn’t realised quite how much Dad’s bracelet must have meant to her. She looks as if her heart is breaking with joy at the thought of getting it back.
‘Anyway, I’m going to phone the police now and tell them,’ I tell her gently, getting to my feet. ‘Why don’t you come downstairs? We’re putting the kettle on.’
