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“Yeah, ’bye.” I end the call.
I know why Penny has asked me to call after one p.m.—that’s when she normally goes into her room for her afternoon nap. She obviously doesn’t want Alice to listen to our conversation, and she also wants to speak to me without Alice knowing. I wonder what she’s going to say?
I feel a flicker of fear at the thought that she might tell me I’m upsetting Alice too much and I need to leave her alone. Obviously Alice and Charlie were arguing yesterday, and Charlie mentioned that Penny was talking about ending it all because she felt as if she was a burden on her daughters. Somehow, though, I can’t imagine Penny’s warning me off. I don’t think she’d want Alice to stop seeing me. She wants her daughters to be happy, and ending their relationships isn’t going to achieve that for either of them.
Well, I won’t know until one p.m. I text her and tell her I’ve got her message and I’ll ring her just after one, and she comes back almost immediately and saysThank you x. The kiss is a positive sign, I think, and that gives me hope.
After I’ve eaten my breakfast, I get my laptop and compose an email to Craig. I take my time, thinking carefully about each sentence. We’re not supposed to talk directly, and I don’t want to make things worse, but equally Damon’s comments last night made me think. In the end, I come up with:
Craig,
I know we’re supposed to be communicating through lawyers, but there are a few things I’d like to talk to you about, face to face, and alone. I might be mistaken, but I don’t think either of us really wants to drag this through the courts. We’ve known each other a long time, and I like to think that, egos and hurt feelings aside (yours and mine), we should be able to solve this with a decent, honest conversation, man to man.
Let me know if you’re up for it. If not, well, I guess I’ll see you in court.
Kip
I read it several times, then send it.
It’s time to head over to my parents’ house. Dad bought each of us a breathalyzer when we were younger so we could make sure we weren’t over the limit after a few drinks. I haven’t used it for a while as I don’t tend to drink at all when I’m driving, but I take it out of the cupboard and blow into it, relieved to find I’m well under.
Taking the presents with me, I get into the Merc and head out into the sunny morning.
When I pull up at the house, Saxon’s Aston is already there, gleaming in the sunshine. I pick up the parcels and make my way inside, my stomach fluttering. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the need to apologize for bad behavior.
As I pass the kitchen I see Mum there, talking to Pamela as they load a tray with cups of coffee. They both look over as I stop and walk in. Pamela gives a wry smile, and Mum gives me a look that says, ‘What am I going to do with you?’
“Morning,” I say, going up to Mum, leaving the parcels on the counter, and putting my arms around her. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“Aw.” She slides her arms around my waist, and we have a big hug. “It’s not me you have to apologize to.”
“Well, I do, because it’s your house, and you’re my mother, and you brought me up better than that.”
She lifts up and kisses my cheek. “I know you wouldn’t have done it unless you were very upset. I’m sorry to hear about Alice.”
“Thank you. Her mum has asked me to call her at one o’clock, so I’m hoping that’s a good sign.”
“Oh, me too.”
“How’s Saxon?”
“Sore. Grumpy.”
“And Catie, is she here?”
“Yes. She’s been very quiet. You really upset her, you know.”
“I know.” I release her and pick up the parcels. “I’m going to go and try to put things right.”
“Want a coffee?” Pamela asks.
“Please, that would be great.”
“Come on,” Mum says, and she picks up the tray and leads the way out, through the living room, and out onto the terrace.
Saxon and Catie are sitting out there with Dad, the babies in the twin carrycot they use when they’re out and about. Dad straightens as we come out, and Saxon and Catie look over.
“Hey.” I cross to them and put the parcels on the table. “Morning, Dad,” I say.
