Part 22 (1/2)

Lucy sighed regretfully. 'I wish I was more like you, Kathleen. But there you go. I'm not and that's the end of it!'

'If I give you some good advice, would you take it?'

'I won't promise, but give it to me, anyway.'

'Right then! And it's nothing terrible, or shameful either. I just want you to get out and about, Lucy. I know it will be hard, but try not to dwell on what you've lost. Think about what you could gain by taking this precious time for yourself. Try exciting things. Take your mind off your worries. Do something completely different from anything you've ever done before.'

'Oh, so now we're going back to the man on the train, are we?'

'Well, that would not be a bad idea, but I was not about to say that. Though, while we're talking, don't you think it's strange that you met him in the bus shelter, and then he turns up on the very same train that you were on? I reckon Fate was taking a hand there, Lucy girl!'

Lucy agreed but she now a.s.sured Kathleen, 'I'm sure it was just coincidence and it has nothing to do with Fate.'

'If you think so. But, look, sweetheart, all I really want is for you to take things easy.'

'What else would I do anyway, except take things easy? This is a very quiet little village, with lovely scenery, delightul walks, and a pretty harbour, with cafes and little shops. To be honest, that's enough for now.'

'I'm glad to hear it. And you're right. You do best to just walk in the suns.h.i.+ne. Feel the sea breeze against your face. And please, Lucy girl ... do not come back until you feel you're ready to deal with everything. And if you do find yourself short of money, just give me a shout.' She gave a naughty chuckle. 'Unless, of course, your sugar daddy turns up again, pouring money at your feet, in exchange for a favour or two ... know what I mean, Lucy girl?'

'Oh, yes! I know what you mean all right.' As always, Lucy felt easier when chatting with Kathleen. 'I have sufficient money for my needs,' she confessed, although she did not go into detail. 'I'll be alright, honest.'

'Well, the offer is there if needed,' Kathleen a.s.sured her. 'Call me again tomorrow, but for now, don't forget to talk with Anne. Call her right now!'

'I will,' Lucy promised.

When she had rung off Lucy couldn't help but reflect on what Kathleen had suggested. The very idea of allowing a stranger to take advantage of her just to get her own back on her husband was unthinkable.

Partly indignant and partly amused, Lucy promised herself that she would not even think about the man from the train any more. Hopefully their paths would not cross again. Ever! The very thought of allowing a stranger to get close to her in the way Kathleen had joked about made her s.h.i.+ver!

Somewhere in the back of her mind, though, she could not help but wonder if he might actually be attracted to her in that particular way.

Banning the thought from her mind, Lucy picked up the telephone receiver again. She dialled the prefix number for outside, and then her daughter's number.

I hope she's in, Lucy thought. I know she often takes the baby across the park to feed the ducks.

Anne was just securing the baby into the pram, ready for their walk, when the telephone rang. Taking the pram with her, she hurried to the telephone and s.n.a.t.c.hed up the receiver.

'h.e.l.lo?'

'It's me, love.' It was good to hear her daughter's voice.

'Oh, Mum! I've been worried about you, waiting to know if you got to Kathleen's aunt's all right.'

Lucy had been so preoccupied, she'd forgotten that Anne believed she was taking her break with Kathleen's old aunt. 'Yes, I had a good train journey and then I got a taxi, and now I'm just settling in.'

She was careful not to reveal her true whereabouts. The last thing she needed was for Martin or Paula to find out where she really was.

The baby was making sounds down the telephone. 'He can hear you, Mum,' Anne told her. 'He's reaching out to touch the phone. Go on, Mum. Talk to him.'

For a few precious moments, Lucy listened down the line, while her grandson made familiar noises close to the receiver.

She laughed. 'He really does know who I am, doesn't he?' She was thrilled. 'He'll be holding proper conversations before you know it,' she told Anne. Then it was back to chatting with her little grandson. 'Love you, big boy. I'll be home soon, and then Nanna will take you out to feed the ducks, or walk across the park, through the trees and up to the top of the hill. You'll enjoy that.' The thought of her darling grandson brought the slightest gleam of a tear to her eye. She was glad that she had managed to move the conversation away from where she actually was without lying to her daughter. 'I'll call again tomorrow, and you are not to worry about me. I mean to rest a lot and think things through, and hopefully, come home a stronger person.'

Anne was greatly relieved. She knew her mother was capable enough to achieve what she had set out to do. Although she was also aware of the grief and pain her mother was being made to deal with just now.

'Please, Mum, don't rush home. We're all OK here. This is your time. Use it well, eh?'

'I will, yes, and you're not to worry. Oh, and as it's not easy for you to get hold of me, you can always ring Kathleen. But, I will try to ring you as often as I can.'

'Oh, Mum! Don't be worrying about calling us. Unless, of course, you might feel the need to talk. OK?'

'Yes. Oh, and give my love to Sam and everyone.'

Just as she thought the conversation was coming to an end, Lucy was taken aback when Anne asked, 'Does that ”everyone” include Dad?'

'Well ... of course!'

'And have you spoken to him yet?'

'No. But I will.' In truth she had no intention of calling him.

Anne reminded her, 'He's still working every hour G.o.d sends. I expect he misses you, but he's being well looked after.'

'Oh, thank you, Anne. It's good of you to keep an eye on him, but your father is quite capable of making his own tea. You've got enough to do without taking his meals round and running after him.' Realising that she was being a little too harsh, Lucy quickly tempered her tone. 'And besides, knowing how busy you are with the baby and everything, I'm sure your father would not want you to run yourself ragged on his behalf.'

'Oh, no, it's all right, Mum!' Anne a.s.sured her. 'Dad's being well taken care of, but it's Paula who's keeping an eye on him. I went round there this morning to make sure he had his breakfast before he went to work, but Paula was already there. I didn't realise you had asked her to keep an eye on him. Anyway, they were both enjoying bacon and eggs. Then I helped her clear up and we left the kitchen sparkling.'

'Really?' Lucy felt physically sick. 'Paula is taking care of him. Well, that's good of her.'

'Yes, and she may be popping round tonight ... to keep him company. Apparently there's some programme they both want to watch on television, so Dad suggested they watch it together. Paula told me not to fret about Dad, because she doesn't mind keeping an eye on him while you're away. Paula is a good sister, isn't she, Mum?' she finished kindly.

Lucy was truly shaken. 'Well, she does seem to have everything in hand, doesn't she?' she replied eventually.

'Yes, and she promised me, that it was no trouble at all. So, there you are, Mum. That must be a load off your mind, eh?'

Lucy was thoroughly shocked and disgusted at what Anne had just told her, yet she must pretend that she was grateful to Paula.

'Yes, of course, and it's good that you don't need to keep running round, cleaning the house and cooking his meals. If Paula wants to do it, let her get on with it. Now that she's on her own and not working full time at the minute, she has little else to do.'

She was desperate to a.s.sure Anne that she need not go round every day. Her greatest fear was that Anne might find Paula and Martin together, just as she herself found them in Paula's bedroom.

To that end, she told Anne, 'Paula has obviously decided to take the weight off your shoulders, so she might feel hurt if you do interfere. I should leave her be. Since Ray left, Paula seems to have lost her way, and taking care of Dad will give her a focus. Just leave her to it, love.'

'You're right, Mum. Anyway, Dad's always on the telephone, and sometimes he pops in on his way home from work, so it's not as though we don't see him, is it? I think he's making a big effort because Sam's decided to stay here for the time being.'

'That's fine then.' Lucy was somewhat relieved.

'We all love you so much, Mum ... and we want you to feel strong again. Without you, Mum ... whatever would we do, eh?' Anne finished emotionally.

Lucy was still reeling, but she made a valiant effort to sound her usual self. 'Oh, sweetheart, that's a lovely thing to say ... thank you.'