Desperate Measures. Kitty Neale
stood aside to let him in, her voice high with excitement. ‘Look, Anne, it’s John.’
‘Hello, sis,’ he said. ‘Mum told me you were going on holiday. Did you have a good time?’
‘Yes, we had a week in Spain with Dad and Mel.’
Betty was pleased to see John’s lips curling in derision, since she felt the same, but if they started to argue they’d leave and she didn’t want that. ‘It’s marvellous that you’ve both turned up at the same time. Come on, now; don’t stand there like a pair of combatants. Sit down and I’ll get you something to drink.’
Anne flopped onto the sofa, whilst John took a chair, and as she hurried to the kitchenette, Betty could hear Anne talking to her brother.
‘I’m glad you’re here. I’ve got a bit of news and this way I can kill two birds with one stone.’
Wondering what this news could be, Betty hurriedly opened her small fridge, only to shake her head with annoyance. With so many other things on her mind she had forgotten to get any Cokes, and now could only offer Anne orange juice. She poured two glasses, saying as she took them into the living room, ‘Sorry, this is the only cold drink I’ve got. If you’d prefer, I could make a pot of tea.’
‘Orange juice is fine, Mum,’ John said as he reached out to take a glass.
‘It’s too hot for tea and this will do,’ Anne agreed.
‘So, Anne, what’s this news?’ asked John.
Anne’s eyes danced as she looked at her brother. ‘When Mel wasn’t well in Spain, we put it down to the food, but since returning she’s been to see the doctor. You’re not going to believe this. Dad said he didn’t want any more children, but she’s pregnant. Mel’s pregnant.’
Betty felt herself going rigid with shock. ‘Pr … pregnant?’
‘Yes,’ Anne said dismissively, as though unaware how her mother was feeling as she turned to her brother again, ‘and John, that means we’re going to have a new baby brother or sister.’
‘Half-brother or –sister,’ he retorted, ‘and if you ask me, it’s a bit sick. Bloody hell, Dad’s old enough to be the child’s grandfather.’
Betty’s head was reeling. Somehow, deep down, she had always hoped that the marriage would end – that, as Richard aged, Mel would want a younger man. He was already twenty-five years her senior, and it sickened Betty that at fifty-eight years old he was about to start another family. ‘How … how does your father feel about it?’
‘He’s really happy, cock-a-hoop and strutting about with his chest puffed out with pride.’
‘I thought you said he didn’t want any more children.’
‘Yes, but Mel had other ideas. She’s thirty-three now and I think felt the time was right if she was going to have children. She was feeling really broody so, without telling Dad, she stopped taking the pill.’
‘Wasn’t he angry?’
‘No, I told you, he’s full of it, and it seems to have knocked years off him. You should see him fussing over Melissa, even getting a cleaner to come in once a week.’
Betty’s head was low. A cleaner – Melissa had a cleaner. Oh, not for her slaving to keep the house and garden up to scratch. Then, feeling a hand on her shoulder, she looked up to see John leaning over her, eyes full of concern.
‘Are you all right, Mum?’
‘Ye-yes, but I must admit it’s come as a bit of a shock. Oh, it’s awful,’ she then blurted out, ‘somehow I didn’t expect the marriage to last, but … but now …’
‘Mum, don’t tell me that you still hold a torch for Dad?’
Betty stared up at her son, fighting to hide her true feelings. She would never admit it to him, or anyone, but yes, she still held a torch for Richard. Despite what he had done, she still loved him, and felt she always would. ‘Of course I don’t,’ she lied.
John’s eyes narrowed in doubt, but Betty made a supreme effort to regain composure and change the subject. ‘Come on, we’ve heard Anne’s news, now what about you? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you, so tell me, what’ve you been up to?’
‘I’m sorry I haven’t been round, but I ring you every week. It’s work, Mum, I’ve been snowed under.’
‘John, how’s your love life?’ Anne asked.
‘I’ve got a new girlfriend and this one might be serious.’
‘Really …’ Anne drawled.
‘Now then, there’s no need for sarcasm,’ he protested. ‘Surely a man has a right to sow his oats before settling down.’
Doing her best to keep her mind away from Richard, Betty said, ‘Tell me about this girl.’
‘She’s a cracker, Mum. Her name is Ulrika and she’s from Sweden.’
‘Goodness, how did you meet her?’
‘My boss invited me round to dinner. She’s their au pair.’
‘How long have you been seeing her?’ asked Anne.
‘What’s this, twenty questions? Still, if you must know, I’ve been seeing her for two months.’
Anne laughed. ‘Two months – and you call it serious?’
‘It is for me.’
John was so like his father in looks that Betty gulped. They were both tall, both dark and handsome. Their characters were similar, too, both of them charmers. ‘You may be serious about this girl, but don’t rush things. Make sure that she really is the one before you settle down.’
‘Don’t worry about me, I know what I’m doing,’ he said, but then with a glance at his watch added, ‘Sorry, but I’ve got to go.’
‘John, you’ve only just got here.’
‘I’m off too, Mum,’ Anne said.
‘I hardly see the pair of you,’ Betty protested, ‘yet when you do stir yourselves to visit me, you only stay for five minutes.’
‘Don’t exaggerate, we’ve been here for longer than that,’ Anne protested.
Betty knew it was useless to argue. Like his sister, John still lived in Farnham, his job hectic and, with a wide circle of friends, his social life was full. With a sad sigh, she kissed them both on the cheek before saying goodbye. ‘John, don’t leave it so long next time. I really would like to see more of you. If you really are serious about this girl, perhaps you could bring her with you next time?’
‘Yes, all right, Mum,’ he called before he hurried downstairs, Anne close behind.
‘Bye, Mum,’ she too called.
Sadly Betty closed the door and then hurried to the window to watch them climb into their cars, both waving to each other before driving off. Anne might call again in a few weeks, but despite John’s assurance, she doubted her son would do the same. She knew they had their own lives, but the room now felt empty without them. She felt empty, unlike Mel who was now having Richard’s baby.
Betty’s lower lip trembled. Yes, she still loved Richard, but he’d made a fool of her. She was miserable, whereas he was happy, and instead of the news helping her to move forward she felt a surge of bitterness – one that made her wish she could wipe the smile off his face.
At one o’clock, Val went upstairs to see Betty, but her smile dropped when she saw her friend’s face. ‘You look like you’ve been crying. What’s the matter?’
‘My son and daughter have been to see me, and
… and …’
‘Oh