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‘I just don’t want to rush things,’ begins Ruth.
‘Rush things?’ says Nelson. ‘We’ve got a twelve-year-old child, for God’s sake.’
This is true but, for all of Kate’s life, Ruth has also been a single mother.
‘Look, Ruth,’ Nelson’s voice softens, ‘if your department does close, there’s no reason even to stay here. I could make Jo’s day and go for early retirement. We could go anywhere in the country. Anywhere in the world.’
Ruth looks out to sea, blaming the sand for her stinging eyes. This is what she has always wanted to hear. Why, then, is she suddenly scared?
‘It’s difficult at the moment,’ she says, ‘what with all the uncertainty at work. I mean, I don’t even know if I’ll have a job next week.’
This isn’t quite true and Ruth knows that Nelson knows it. But he says, mildly for him, ‘I just want to talk. That’s all.’
‘We will,’ says Ruth. ‘Soon.’
‘Never thought I’d hear an academic avoiding the chance to talk,’ says Nelson, but he smiles as he says it and the walk back to Cathbad’s isn’t as awkward as it could have been.
Chapter 4
Back at Cathbad’s cottage, Kate is getting ready to go home. Michael is helping her pile books into the sports bag that is the only socially acceptable school accessory. Kate also has her PE kit and a paper bag full of flapjacks.
‘Something for the journey,’ says Cathbad.
‘Thank you,’ says Ruth. ‘You’re so kind.’ And he is. It just feels that she’s always thanking him these days.
‘When’s Judy back?’ she asks.
‘I think she’ll be late tonight,’ says Cathbad. ‘Some new development at work.’
‘That’s right.’ Nelson looks up from his phone. ‘I need to be getting back to the station. Builders have found a skeleton in an old house in King’s Lynn. Well, a shop really. Used to be a junk shop. The emporium of something or other. You probably know it, Cathbad. Sounds right up your street.’
Ruth isn’t looking at Cathbad because she’s trying to gather up the rest of Kate’s things. It’s her daughter’s face that first tells her that something is wrong. Kate’s mouth is open in an O of shock. Then Michael shouts, ‘Dad!’ and Cathbad falls at her feet.
It’s Nelson who moves fastest. He rolls Cathbad onto his back where he lies, looking, with his long white hair, uncomfortably like a graven image. Nelson lowers his head to listen to Cathbad’s heart. ‘It’s OK,’ he says aloud, ‘he’s just fainted.’
‘Nelson?’ says Cathbad faintly.
‘Just stay lying down for a few more minutes,’ says Nelson. ‘Bloody typical. Anything to get attention.’
Thing is trying to lick Cathbad’s face. Michael pulls him back. Ruth puts her arm round the boy, who is shaking.
Nelson helps Cathbad to his feet. ‘Let’s go into the kitchen. Michael, son, could you put the kettle on? Hot sweet tea is what he needs. That’s what my mum would say, any road.’
The mention of Nelson’s mother (not her biggest fan) unnerves Ruth but Kate goes to put on the kettle and get out the teapot. It’s typical of Cathbad that he uses loose leaves and not tea bags. In a few minutes Cathbad is sitting at the table, with Michael on one side and Thing on the other, and a mug of tea and a flapjack in front of him.
‘Low blood sugar,’ says Nelson knowledgably.
‘Where have you been hiding your inner Florence Nightingale all these years?’ says Cathbad.
‘Shut up and drink your tea,’ says Nelson.
Miranda comes in. She is now dressed as the Little Mermaid.
‘What’s happening?’ she says, in an accusatory voice.
‘Nothing, sweetheart,’ says Cathbad. ‘I just tripped over, that’s all.’
‘Stay with him,’ says Nelson in an undertone to Ruth. ‘I need to get back to work.’
