Page 30 of The Lie
Finch wondered at the delay in her reply. He was trying hard to put himself in Romy’s position but, despite his obvious sympathy for her, was singularly failing to do so. He wondered why and realized it was because he couldn’t get a proper handle on Romy’s marriage or why it had broken up. Was he being played, as Jenny had almost suggested? And if so, why?Why would she bother with me, if she wants to go back to her husband?He took a deep breath, trying with all his might to fight off his jealousy.
‘So his speech is improving then? That’s a good sign, at least.’ He cringed at his jokey response. But Romy didn’t appear offended.
‘Every cloud,’ she said wearily. He waited for her to go on, but again it seemed a long time before she spoke. ‘He’s changed, Finch. He’s not the man I was married to.’
Finch expected more exposition, but Romy added nothing, except to say, ‘Anyway, see you in a week.’
They said goodbye and he clicked off, baffled. Was it good that Michael had changed? Or bad? And from whose perspective? He felt almost angry that he wassuddenly in this unsettling position, after years of plodding quietly along in Nell’s reassuring shadow. Romy had ignited his feelings again, brought him alive. But now she seemed to be putting him on hold. He knew he should be more grown-up, but it was painful, as if his insides were twitching, vibrating, and there was nothing he could do to calm himself … He just had to wait.
21
‘God, Mum, it’s stifling in here,’ Leo muttered, fanning his face as he followed her down the corridor towards Michael’s bedroom. Romy could tell he’d run from the Tube because he was out of breath and sweating when he arrived. But she was so glad to see him.
She glanced round with an apologetic smile. ‘He’s really feeling the cold – I can’t crank the thermostat up high enough for him.’ She stopped outside the bedroom door. ‘I haven’t got him up yet. I thought you could help me wash and dress him.’
Leo nodded and gave her a smile, but it was clear he was steeling himself and she sympathized.Has he even seen his father naked?she wondered, knowing how private Michael had always been.
Michael was sitting propped against the pillows, the duvet up around his chin, his eyes closed, as they entered the room.
‘Hi, Dad,’ Leo said, hovering by the bed, clearly not knowing if he should kiss his father – it wasn’t really something the men in her family did. A brief cheek brush in the process of a hug was as physical as Michael got with his sons. In the end Leo just patted his father’s arm.
Michael opened his eyes. ‘Leo!’ he said, a bemused smile on his face. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘We’re going to give you a shower and get you up now,’ Romy said brightly, knowing she sounded for all the world like Super Nurse on the stroke ward.
Much later, they were trying to pull Michael’s boxers over his bum, but his skin was still damp from the shower and the cotton was wadding in a roll underneath him. Both Romy and Leo were red-faced and pouring sweat in the sweltering bedroom as they bent over the prostrate figure.
She caught Leo’s eye and felt an uncontrollable giggle form in her chest, seeing a similarly suppressed grin on her son’s hot face.
‘Come on, Michael, make an effort and lift up,’ she encouraged, resisting the mirth that was bubbling up despite her best efforts.
Michael looked up at her, then at Leo and, for a second, Romy worried he would think they were mocking him. But his face broke into a slow smile and she gave up trying to be serious, the laughter bursting out in an explosive snort.
‘Sorry, Michael,’ she spluttered. ‘I know it’s not funny but –’ She couldn’t speak for laughing.
‘You should see … your faces,’ Michael said, with his usual slowness, his dark eyes lighting up as he lay helplessly on his back, bare except for his boxers still bunched round his thighs. ‘I shall sue for defamation. My reputation is in tatters.’
Romy was holding a hand to her mouth, her eyes filled with tears of laughter. Leo probably hadn’t seen her laugh so much with his father in years –which is ironic, she thought.
‘Let’s worry about your knickers first andthenyour reputation.’
‘Need both,’ Michael retorted, with effort.
‘Good to know you’ve still got some marbles skidding around in there,’ she said.
‘I had … more than my fair share … in the first place.’ Michael’s face contorted as he attempted to lift himself clear of the sheet.
‘And clearly no damage to your arrogance, either,’ Romy said, still grinning, then added, ‘Phew!’ as the boxers finally slid into place and the three of them did a collective high-five.
She realized she had almost enjoyed the process with them all pulling together for the first time.Ever?she asked herself, and decided,Yes, ever. Looking at Leo, she thought he had enjoyed it too, although his expression at times, when he was listening to his parents’ banter, had seemed somewhat bemused.
They settled Michael in the sitting room, Romy hovering while Leo went off to make coffee, perhaps unwilling to watch as his father stuttered, ‘Can I have my … my …’ waving his arm and grunting in frustration until he took a deep breath. ‘You know … the thing I read on. Can’t remember its bloody name.’
‘iPad,’ she said, seeing it on the coffee table and handing it to him.
Glancing up at the kitchen clock a few minutes later, Romy said to Leo, ‘Imogen’ll be here in a minute. Michael’s paying her double time to come at weekends – although he’s not aware of this yet – because I’m told the early period after a stroke is vital.’ She took the cup ofcoffee Leo offered her. ‘And the good thing is that your father is in love with her.’ She smiled as she settled at the kitchen table. ‘She’s all bouncy and blonde and bossy. It’s late in the day to realize this, but I think your father quite likes a domineering woman.’
Leo laughed. ‘Speaking of which …’
