Part 10 (1/2)

'What do you mean?'

'Well ... it's just ... I mean, is there anything wrong between you and Dad?'

Lucy was taken aback. 'What makes you ask that?'

'Because you hardly glanced at him in church, and when we came out, you seemed to be avoiding him ... as though you're angry with him, or something.'

'Oh, I expect my mind was elsewhere, that's all.' Which was not a lie.

'So, you haven't had a fight then?'

'Not to speak of, no.'

'Oh, well, that's all right then.'

Sensing that Anne had not believed her, Lucy felt guilty. 'Your dad and Sam seem to be in deep conversation, don't you think?' She had to convince herself that Martin would never reveal the sordid business between himself and Paula.

Anne agreed. 'It's good for them to talk, man to man, if you see what I mean? Sam has not been his usual chatty self this past week or so. Out of the two of us, he was always closest to Grandma and Granddad. I loved them too, but, unlike Sam, I never seemed to have much spare time to spend with them. I regret that now.'

'We all have regrets, Anne, but it's not good to dwell on them,' Lucy advised. 'Besides, you have a lot to deal with. You're a wife and a mother, with many responsibilities, while Sam is still footloose and fancy-free.'

'And what about you, Mum?'

'What about me?'

'It must be so very hard for you. They were your parents, and out of all of us, this must have hit you the hardest. Paula as well, I suppose, but Grandma once told me that, while you were always popping round every chance you got, Paula hardly ever went round to see them ... unless she wanted something.'

'You should not say things like that, Anne.'

'Grandma said it, not me!' Anne had never cared much for Aunt Paula, anyway. She always thought her too full of herself. 'I know you'll miss them more than she will.'

Lucy gave a sad little smile. 'Maybe, but we don't really know that.'

'I do, and I'm worried about you, Mum. I know you're hurting, and I don't know what to do.'

'There is nothing anyone can do,' she said softly. 'We all have to try to deal with it in our own way.'

Thinking of her parents, Lucy fought back the tears. 'Don't you worry about me, sweetheart. I'll be all right,' she promised shakily.

Anne saw the car approaching. 'Here comes Les.'

She ran to meet him. 'Where is he?' She glanced into the back of the car, expecting to see their baby son.

'I'm sorry, love. He's with the baby-sitter. She turned up twenty minutes ago.' Les was disappointed to have missed the service. 'I hoped I might not be too late. I meant to sneak in at the back and catch the end of the service. I should have been there for you, and to pay my respects.'

'You can still do that,' Anne rea.s.sured him. 'We'll go up and you can see all the lovely flowers ... if you want?'

Les thought that was a good idea.

First, though, having seen how pale and quiet Lucy had become, he asked her, 'If there is anything I can do, just give me a shout, and I'll be there.'

Lucy thanked him. 'If you mean help sort out Mum and Dad's house and such, it's all under control. After all the legal business is attended to, Anne has promised to help me go through their personal stuff.' She gave Anne a warm smile. 'When that's done, the family can decide if they would like any keepsakes. As for everything else furniture and such Mum always said that when she ”pops her clogs” she would like some pieces to be sent to the local charity shop, to help the needy.'

Les smiled. 'And why does that not surprise me?'

He realised there would be much to do, all of it a painful business, and that the tasks would mainly fall to Lucy. 'Well, the offer is there if needed, Lucy.'

Lucy thanked him and promised she would call if she needed to.

Anne a.s.sured her mother that it had been the right and proper thing not to have a reception after the service. 'Grandma never liked anything like that, and besides, most people, like yourself, have taken time off work and need to get back.'

After saying her goodbyes, Lucy reminded her daughter that she might pop round later, although all she wanted right then was to curl up in a corner and think of what her life might be like now, without her parents.

Having waited until Anne and Les started on their way up to the church, Paula made a beeline for her sister. 'Hey! Wait a minute.'

Lucy saw her coming, and tried to make herself scarce. Paula had nothing to say that she needed to hear.

'Lucy!' Paula was none too pleased at being made to chase after her. 'Wait!'

Quickening her steps, Lucy hurried away. Whatever she says won't change what they did. I won't forgive them, she promised herself.

Behind her, Paula cursed under her breath. That's it! Run away, and to h.e.l.l with you! she thought. But you can't say I didn't try to warn you. Martin and I plan to be together, and there's nothing you can do or say to stop it.

Having seen Lucy hurrying away, Martin and Sam ran to catch up with her.

'Mum!' Sam's voice stopped Lucy in her tracks. 'Mum, wait!'

Lucy glanced about, discreetly checking that Paula had gone.

'Mum, is it all right if I go with Dad?' Sam asked.

'Where to?' With Sam there, Lucy had no choice but to acknowledge her husband.

'We're going fis.h.i.+ng for the rest of the day,' Martin explained. 'I thought it might be a good idea ... in the circ.u.mstances.' Looking at Lucy, and seeing how pale and worn she looked, Martin had a stab of conscience.

Then he saw Paula in the distance, and he felt like a man ten foot tall. That beautiful creature was his woman now. Not Lucy.

Not any more ...

'Dad's given me his spare fis.h.i.+ng rod!' Sam had been after that rod for a long time, and he was genuinely excited. 'So, is it all right, Mum? I won't go, though, if you need me.'

'It's all right, love. I've got more than enough to keep me busy just now,' she said. 'You go with your dad and enjoy yourself.' She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. 'It'll do you good ... take your mind off things.'

'Do you intend going back to work?' Martin asked.

'I'm not sure.'