Page 29 of The Lie
‘It’s going well.’
Jenny put her head on one side. ‘Hmm …’
Finch sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to be able to fob her off. ‘There’s been a bit of a glitch.’
Jenny waited for him to go on.
‘Her ex had a stroke. Romy’s gone back to look after him, just till the carer’s settled in.’
‘God, how awful. Poor man … poor Romy.’ She thought for a moment then frowned. ‘But why isshelooking after him? I thought they were divorced.’
‘Separated, not divorced.’ He was reluctant to continue. ‘It’s complicated. There’s nobody around, except one of her sons. I think she wanted to help him out … and I’m sure she feels sorry for Michael. Who wouldn’t?’
Jenny gave a derisive snort. ‘Ha! Depends on your ex. If Euan had a stroke I’d think it served him bloody well right. I wouldn’t go within a hundred miles of him, except to gloat.’
The venom took Finch aback.
‘She hasn’t still got feelings for him, then?’ Jenny was looking at him askance.
Finch felt a pinch to his heart. ‘No,’ he answered firmly. ‘She’s been very clear about that.’
‘Aren’t you just a teensy bit concerned?’
‘About what?’
Jenny shrugged. ‘Oh, I don’t know … that she might go back to him, I suppose. Play happy families. But …’ she put on a bright smile ‘… clearly you’re not. Sorry. Euan’s destroyed my faith in human nature. I think everyone is a two-faced liar these days.’
Finch, shaken, he had to admit, by his conversation with Jenny, rang Romy as soon as he was home. It was ten thirty, but he just wanted to hear her voice. She answered immediately.
‘Finch!’ She sounded so pleased, all his fears instantly evaporated. ‘How are you? I’m missing you.’
‘I’m missing you too,’ he said happily.
‘Hold on a minute …’ He heard her footsteps, then her voice again, lowered now. ‘Sorry, we were settling Michael down for the night.’
‘How’s he doing? Is he out of bed yet?’
‘Oh, yes. Imogen, the physio, insists. She takes no nonsense from Michael,’ Romy said.
‘So he’s walking?’
‘Shuffling, more like. Only short distances – with a frame. He looks about a hundred, Finch, it’s so sad.’
‘It must be. Is Daniel working out?’
‘Oh, my God, the boy’s a miracle. When Michael grouches at him – which he does, a lot – he seems not to notice. And he’s so strong, although you wouldn’t think so to look at him. He’s as narrow as a pipe-cleaner but he hauls Michael about like he’s no heavier than a pound of butter. Which, I can assure you, he is. Lugging slippery branches across the common is a vicar’s picnic by comparison.’
Conversation lapsed for a second. Their worlds were so different, these days, and Romy sounded so involved in hers. Then he said, ‘Any chance you can get away soon?’
‘Definitely.’ She hesitated. ‘Leo’s coming over this weekend … tomorrow. I’ll train him up so he can do next weekend. I could be home Saturday morning, stay till Sunday afternoon.’
Finch wanted to cheer. ‘It’s a date. You’ll need a break by then.’
‘I need one now,’ she said, her voice suddenly heavy with tiredness. ‘Michael often rings his bell in the middle of the night for something, then wants me to sit by his bed and chat. But he falls asleep like a baby, and I go back to bed and lie awake for the rest of the night.’
‘What does he want to chat about?’ Finch asked, his tone sharper than he intended. But Jenny’s suspicious mind had proved contagious.
There was a long silence at the other end of the phone. Then Romy said, ‘Oh, you know … just stuff from the past.’
