Page 59 of Hit For Six
‘We’ll call it a day,’ she said, with as much conviction as she could muster, a lump forming in her throat at the thought of them being apart. ‘You’ve known me for a few weeks, Monty. You’ve known your family and this wonderful house your whole life. If this is destined to be yours then I can’t possibly stand in the way.’
‘No, Lola! Never,’ said Monty. ‘It’s masonry, nothing more and nothing less. Besides, Joanna wouldn’t dare.’ He poured their coffees. ‘And as a side note to this batshit morning, my parents will absolutely adore you when they finally get to meet you properly at the party.’ But Lola didn’t need to see Monty’s face to detect his uncertainty. ‘Everything’s going to be just fine. Let’s go back to bed and pretend this never happened.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Monty
‘Monty!’ said Helenaas he stood on the doorstep, a few days later. ‘It’s wonderful to see you but I wish you’d scheduled a visit. I’m still unpacking and the ladies are due here in an hour for book club.’
‘Well, this couldn’t wait and it needed to be done face to face. The next opportunity for that is at the party. All things considered, I think it’s best we have words now.’
PS. you are not the Queen and should always have time for spontaneous meet-ups with your kids.
‘I see. You’d better come in.’
‘There’s no need. I’m not going to keep you. We can do this right here.’
‘I’d rather we didn’t air our laundry as if we’re in a soap opera.’
‘For once, mother, why not throw caution to the wind and leave off the airs and graces? Who is going to hear us? The woodpigeons don’t give a crap.’
‘Fine.’ Helena’s eyes burnt Monty’s retinas over the use of his language, but this was exasperating and he couldn’t hold back. ‘Don’t leave me in suspense.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me that you’d left her a set of keys?’
‘That’s no way to address a society lady.’ Helena touched her neck, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. ‘I assume you’re referring to Miss Bennoy-Bell. I wanted it to be a surprise. I could see how well you two got on together at Roddie’s birthday party. All you needed was a little push. And it made perfect sense now that Joanna lives in the village. Besides, the greenhouse ispractically a jungle. Far too many plants for one person to tend to on their own.’
‘I couldn’t be less interested in the woman!’ Monty tried not to raise his voice. Talk about a challenge. ‘I made that abundantly clear when I escaped her clutches. And that was a horrendously dodgy thing to do. Bea’s known her for such a short time. She’s hardly a trusted family friend.’ Monty could have told his mother what she’d been wearing– or rather, what she hadn’t; he could have told her how she’d stitched up Lola’s company. But Helena would never believe him so he saved his breath. ‘Did you even check her references?’
‘They’re plants, Monty. And Bea’s a good judge of character.’
Like hell she was. But there was no point in stating the obvious about her doting husband. Monty had a better idea.
‘I suppose Bea’s discernment extends to Isabella Montague, her busty teenage friend who followed me around until she’d subjected me to a striptease when I was a twelve-year-old? Or could you have Santa Barclay and her drink spiking in mind? Let’s not forget Ginny Wellbeck and her blackmail letters that clogged up my school mailbox when I didn’t send her a Valentine’s card.’
‘This is petty. Those things happened a long time ago and you were a boy who blew them well out of proportion.’
‘Those things were harassment. Plain and simple. As is Bea’s latest attempt to saddle me with one of her lot. I am a grown man and I can make my own decisions regarding my love life. I’m not asking anymore,I am telling: don’t ever put me in a situation like that again.’
Helena gulped, and, though neither of them moved an inch, the distance between them grew of its own accord in an intangible measurement, until Monty knew that he had to take his leave. He went to give his mother a kiss on the cheek but she turned her head.
‘I’ll… erm, see you at the party, then. I have just one request: please be a little more welcoming to Lola than you were the other night. I truly think she might be The One.’
Helena remained silent as Monty traipsed, head down, back to his car.
‘Oh, we know who she is,’ she finally replied, her voice shaking. ‘Careful, Monty. Your behaviour is starting to resemble Prince Harry’s.’
Monty pivoted so fast he almost toppled into the driveway’s renaissance fountain.
‘Don’t be ridiculous. We are not the royal family. We don’t come close. We’re not even aristocracy, for goodness’ sake.’
‘I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your voice down. The gardeners are in the paddock.’
Monty stood by the open door of his scratched Polo. His mother hadn’t even commented on it. Had Joanna told her she’d duffed up his car? Nothing would surprise him anymore. He looked back at the steadfast woman on the doorstep, took a deep breath, got in his Polo and drove home to Bath. There was no point in retaliating or asking Helena what that remark about Lola was supposed to mean. His parents’ minds were as made up as he’d always feared they would be. You couldn’t choose your family.
Apt that he should flick on the car radio and the Sex Pistols’Anarchy in the UKshould bang out through the sound system as he sped back to the city. He didn’t know the lyrics but damn if the song didn’t suit his mood.
***
