Page 89 of The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge
Her thoughts ran on. There was a great deal that she needed to explore. She guessed from what Aaron’s account what had happened to James, that he’d made his life in America. He’d have retired by now, of course, but it might be possible to speak to him.
The cast-iron bath was elderly and the water was quickly losing heat. Stef reached for the hot tap and ran more water. Poor Nancy. She hoped that she was all right out there in the rain. She’d ring her later. And go back to see her tomorrow. There were things she still wanted to clarify. Her mind roamed over some of the characters in Nancy’s story. Anne Durban and Peggy. Colourful Aunt Rhoda. And Nancy’s sister Helen. Helen had obviously finally rebelled against the constrictions of her life. She’d taken work outside the home against her husband’s wishes and become something of a star in her time.
By the time Stef had dried herself and dressed, a delicious spicy smell was wafting up the stairs. She padded down to the kitchen and was surprised to find Ted there in a plastic apron, stirring a pan of curry on the stove. A saucepan of rice bubbled on the back burner. He grinned at her, showing a chipped tooth. ‘Coming up in fifteen minutes,’ he said and gave her a teaspoon of the curry to taste.
‘Very good,’ she said sincerely and poured herself some red wine from the open bottle on the table.
‘Your ma’s gone up for a rest. She was over at your sister’searlier. The twins were a handful. They always know when something’s up, kids.’
‘Oh yes?’ Stef said, interested. ‘How was Pippa?’
‘I expect Cara will tell you herself,’ he said. Their eyes met and she nodded. It was tactful of him. ‘Listen,’ he went on. ‘I know you don’t… I mean, it must be odd to you… me and your mum.’
‘I’m getting used to it,’ she sighed.
‘But I do care about her. Really. She lights up a room, doesn’t she? My wife was like that. God, I missed her when she passed. There’s been nobody else for years. Nobody to match her. Until I met Cara.’
Stef straightened. ‘I didn’t know you’d lost your wife. I’m sorry. But it’s just that it’s strange, you and Mum.’
‘You mean I’m not the right sort?’ His eyes twinkled. ‘Your dad being a lecturer and me a builder?’
‘No!’ she gasped in embarrassment, then admitted, ‘Yes, a little bit, but whoever it was would be odd, do you see?’
‘Yeah, I understand. Now, would you like to call your ma down? We’re just about ready.’
At supper, Stef’s mother explained that Pippa was slightly less miserable than she had been. She and Rob were going to go to couples counselling, a big step for both of them, but astonishingly it had been Rob who’d suggested it. He’d apparently been dismayed by Pippa’s fears that he’d been having an affair and was desperate to reassure her. ‘Do you think all this is because of your dad and me?’ Cara asked Stef, her eyes full of guilt. ‘We haven’t been a good example, have we?’
‘I don’t think it’s that at all,’ Stef said earnestly. ‘Their situation is completely individual to them.’
‘I suppose you’re right. Pippa’s also talking about looking for work. She loves going to the gym and mentioned the idea of becoming a personal trainer. I suppose there are courses for that sort of thing.’
‘I’m sure there are,’ Stef said warmly. ‘It’s a good idea. She could work that around the children.’
‘Your sister has plenty of hidden talents, I’m sure,’ Cara said. ‘Now, you haven’t told me how you got on with Nancy this afternoon. Is she comfortable?’
Stef told them she was worried about the old lady. ‘Marooned with all those cages like something out ofDoctor Dolittle.’
‘Give her a call,’ her mother said firmly. ‘Tell her we’ll go up and fetch her if she likes. Though how we’d get her to the car, Lord only knows.’
‘I reckon I could manage it,’ Ted said with a gleam in his eye. ‘I’m a volunteer fireman.’
‘Are you? How wonderful! With luck, though, it won’t come to that.’ Stef took up the golf umbrella and stepped outside. The rain was still pouring down from a sky the colour of iron, and it was hard to avoid the puddles on the potholed lane. When she tapped Nancy’s name on her phone Nancy took a long time to answer. Then, after some clattering about at the other end of the line, she was rewarded by the old lady’s voice. ‘Hello?’
‘It’s Stef here, Nancy, just ringing to find out how you are.’
‘We’re managing very well, aren’t we, Tabby? I’m havingto watch her near the mice. She’s far too interested in them, aren’t you, pussy cat?’
‘What about the water levels?’
‘I haven’t been outside, but we’re all dry in here.’
‘Perhaps you should sleep upstairs?’
‘I think I will,’ she laughed. ‘It’ll be too noisy down here with this nocturnal brood.’
‘Be careful,’ Stef said vaguely, feeling a bit helpless. ‘We don’t want you falling again.’
‘I assure you, I have no intention of doing that.’
