Part 16 (2/2)

Karen's expression brightened a little. 'As a matter of fact, it does look hopeful but they said they'd let me know.' As Susan went into the kitchen to fill the kettle she called out, 'No tea for me, Mum. I'd better get going. Simon will be home soon.'

She was gathering up Peter's things ready to leave when there was a ring at the bell. She called out, 'Are you expecting anyone?'

Suddenly Susan remembered Louise and her heart sank. Before she could say anything Karen was calling, 'It's OK, Mum. I'll get it.'

In the kitchen Susan held her breath then Karen's outraged voice confirmed her worst fear Louise had arrived.

'What the h.e.l.l are you doing here? Your b.l.o.o.d.y nerve after last time! You're not welcome here, Louise, so you can turn right round and get back to where ...'

'It's all right. I said she could stay,' Susan put in calmly, standing behind Karen at the door. 'Let her in, Karen. It's only for a few days.'

Karen stared at her mother. 'You have to be joking! Well, on your own head be it!' She stood aside and allowed Louise to walk into the flat. 'What new drama has she cooked up this time?' she asked. 'What tale of woe has she conned you with now, Mum? Well, don't expect any further help from me.'

Susan bridled. 'If you get that job, Karen, I daresay it'll be you, wanting help from me.'

Karen opened her mouth to say something then closed it again. Bending down, she picked up Peter and his bag and headed for the door, but as she opened it an irate Simon stood outside, about to ring the bell.

'Oh, so there you are!' he said, his voice deep with anger.

'Simon!' Karen looked deflated. 'You'd better come in.'

Simon stepped inside and closed the door behind him. 'You might be interested to hear that you've got the job!' he growled. 'The job you applied for behind my back. I'd just got in when they rang on the landline said they'd been trying your mobile but it was switched off.'

Karen put Peter down. 'I didn't want to tell you until I was sure I'd got it,' she said.

'Can you imagine what a fool I felt, not knowing what they were talking about? And just what do you propose to do with our son while you're doing this job?' he demanded. 'I understand from the agency that you've announced that you're free to work daytimes, as well as out of hours. Did you even tell them that you have a child?'

Karen threw a look of appeal towards her mother. 'Mum said she'd babysit.'

'As she's done today, I suppose. So you're in on this too, Susan?'

Susan shook her head. 'Like you, I knew nothing about it until today.'

For the first time Simon looked down at his son. 'Look at him. He's filthy and what's wrong with his legs?' he demanded.

'He tumbled and grazed his knees,' Karen said defensively. 'You know he's always doing it.'

'Granny let me go on the big-boy fwing.' Peter said proudly. 'I fell off an' I got p'asters!'

Glaring at his wife Simon said, 'What are you thinking about, Karen? You know she's past it. Something always happens when she has him. And here you are, willing to risk our son's safety for some two-bit cramming job. My G.o.d! What kind of mother are you?' Suddenly he noticed Louise, who had made herself at home on the sofa. He pointed at her. 'What is she doing here?' he demanded. He looked at Karen, who was close to tears. 'Can't you see now what a fool your mother is, letting that devious cow back again after the trouble she always causes?' He picked Peter up. 'I'm out of here!' he shouted. 'You'd better come too, Karen if you put any value at all on your son and our marriage, which I doubt!'

When they'd gone, the flat suddenly felt to Susan as though all the air had been sucked out of it. She sighed and sank down onto the sofa next to Louise.

'Oh, dear.'

Louise, who had enjoyed every minute of the little drama played out before her, smiled sympathetically at her stepmother. 'Wow! He was in a right strop, wasn't he?'

'He wants Karen to be a full-time mother until Peter goes to school. It's not much to ask really, is it? Although she shouldn't have gone behind his back like that.'

'Personally, I'm on Karrie's side.'

Susan glanced at her. 'Well, you would be, wouldn't you?'

'I can't believe you can be so charitable about Simon after what he said about you!'

'He was angry,' Susan said. 'We all say things we don't mean when we lose our tempers. He's probably regretting it already.'

Louise shrugged. 'Generous of you to be so understanding. He needs dragging into the twenty-first century if you ask me. Other women go back to work after having a child so why should he think his wife is above all that? You wouldn't catch me putting up with that kind of bullying.'

'No, I daresay.' Susan looked at her stepdaughter for the first time since her arrival. 'What brings you here, Louise? You didn't go into details on the phone, except to say that it was something to do with the show.'

Louise had done a lot of thinking on the train coming up. There was no way she could admit to Susan that she'd been conned out of her father's legacy and she had no intention of losing face about her career rise either. 'Just a hitch with the bookings,' she lied. 'There would have been a long gap between the tour and the West End opening so we're taking a bit of time out now instead.'

'Oh, well, that's nice,' Susan said. 'I'm afraid it will have to be the sofa again.'

'That's OK.' I'm getting used to sofas, she thought. She looked at Susan. 'I'm sorry I put my foot in it with your chap,' she said. 'But I expect you've kissed and made up by now, eh?'

Susan shook her head. 'Ted? No. I couldn't keep seeing a man who could be so deceitful.' She glanced at Louise. 'What about you? Are you seeing anyone special at the moment?'

Louise was reminded sharply of Mark and his betrayal. Had he been seeing this other woman all the time and stringing her along? She winced, remembering the previous night and Cathy's obvious loathing of her. She couldn't help thinking that Mark must have been talking to his sister about her complaining about the way she'd treated him all those years ago when they were at drama school. Surely she must realize that they'd all grown up since then?

'Louise!' Susan prompted. 'Are you all right?'

'Yes, of course I am,' Louise quickly pushed her negative thoughts away. 'You asked if I was seeing anyone. I was, but like your Ted, he turned out to be devious and two-timing.'

'I'm sorry to hear that. Was it the young chap you were at drama school with?'

Louise remembered now that she'd told Susan about Mark the last time she was here.

'No,' she lied. 'Someone new.'

'Oh dear, you don't have much luck with men, do you? Were you in love with him?'

The question threw Louise slightly. 'No, not really,' she said. 'Whatever love is.'

Susan patted her hand. 'Well, you'll soon be busy with your exciting new play. Once you're away on tour, you'll soon forget him.'

Louise cringed inwardly. If only that were true. She turned to look at her stepmother. 'All that business with Karen and Simon last time I was here. It really was a misunderstanding, you know. I didn't intend to make trouble between them.'

'Well, it's all water under the bridge now,' Susan said. She got up from the sofa. 'I daresay you're hungry and I haven't even offered you a cup of tea. I'll make one now. The kettle has boiled.'

'So am I forgiven?' Louise asked. 'For Ted, I mean.'

Susan sighed. 'As I said it's over and done with but I can't say I don't miss him, as I expect you miss your boyfriend too. Come and help me start supper and you can tell me all about this wonderful musical you're going to star in.'

Louise got up and followed her into the kitchen. For the first time she realized that she was going to miss Mark. Underneath the anger she already did a lot. Did that mean that her feelings for him went deeper than she'd meant them to? Were you in love? She'd always considered love to be a myth something for films and books. Certainly an emotion she'd never experienced. l.u.s.t, maybe infatuation, but love? No, surely not. She watched Susan bustling around, making tea and getting out the biscuit tin. If only her life could be as uncomplicated as hers.

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