up around you when you’re about to get married yourself.’
‘Oh, we’re fine. We’re just back from a holiday in the sun, actually. It was great. We’re having a great time.’
‘Good. Have ye set a date yet?’
‘No, we haven’t. We’re just about to.’
‘Good.’
The afternoon gin was making me sleepy so I suggested we switch to coffee. ‘So,’ I asked, needing to leave the soul-searching aside for a bit, ‘what are ye going to do with the house?’
‘Oh,’ she said, ‘I don’t know. Probably sell it. I don’t want it anyway.’
‘But ye designed that house together. It was your passion for years.’
‘I know, but that’s changed. I mean, it’s a great house – remember, the plans won a prize – but I’m not interested in living there any more. It’s too far out. I want something closer to work and town. You’ve always said there’s nothing like living in town.’
‘I can’t argue with that. I never could understand your obsession with doing up a house.’
‘Oh, I know, I was obsessed for a long time, but it doesn’t mean anything to me any more.’
‘Do you think Mike wants it?’
‘Probably not. He was never that keen on living in the sticks. And it was always more my house than his, even though he designed it.’
‘Not to be crass, but if ye do sell it, ye’ll probably get a truckload of money for it.’
‘You’re probably right,’ she said, with a smile.
The coffee was reviving me. I was definitely suffering from sensory overload.
‘Oh, that reminds me,’ she continued, after another shot of espresso, ‘I need to ask you yet another favour. I know, I know, when will it end? I promise you a share in my half of the house.’
‘You’d better!’
‘Seriously, could I stay with you for a while until I get myself organized? I won’t be any bother, I promise.’
‘Of course you can. I’d like having you around for a while. We can have a second go at being sisters together. Stay as long as you like.’
‘Oh, thanks a million. Are you sure Keith won’t mind? It won’t cramp your style?’
I’d forgotten about Keith. ‘No, of course not.’
‘Great! Listen, I’m going over to Mike’s office now. I’d say there’s hardly anybody left. I’ll ring you later tonight and tell you how it went.’
‘Are you sure you’re OK? Do you want me to go with you, just for the beginning?’
‘No, I’m fine, honestly. I don’t think there’ll be any problem. But I could do with your help tomorrow when I talk to Mum and Dad. Could you be around for that?’
‘Of course.’
She got up and we embraced once more. To look at her, you wouldn’t have thought she was about to explain to the former love of her life why she’d dumped him. You might have thought she was about to embark on some very exciting adventure.
So, after hearing what Jean had to say I was curious to know what Mike made of it. I left it a couple of days, and without saying anything to Jean, I stayed at work late one evening and called round to his office when I knew he’d be alone. He was staying at work quite late, these days. I hadn’t phoned to tell him I was coming but when I arrived he seemed to have been expecting me. ‘Kate,’ he said. ‘Kate,’ he repeated, holding out his hands to me. ‘I’m so sorry about the other night. I was deranged. I didn’t know what I was saying.’ His voice was soft and frayed at the edges.
‘It’s OK,’ I told him. ‘You were upset. We didn’t take any notice. It’s fine.’
‘No,’ he said, ‘it’s not fine. I had no right to treat you like that.’
His look was deeply intent.
‘It’s OK, really,’ I assured him. I could see the lines round his eyes and the puffiness beneath. He was doing a good impression of everything having gone back to normal, but it was clear he was still quite rattled.
‘Did Jean tell you about our chat?’ he asked, with a smile approaching his usual self-possession.
‘She told me bits. She said ye were very civilized.’
‘Yes, we were. Especially Jean. I’ve seen her more agitated telling me there’s no milk in the fridge.’
I laughed feebly. ‘She said you were still a bit dazed but that you were essentially resigned to the whole thing. She said you could see where she was coming from.’
‘Where she’s coming from?’ he mused. ‘She’s coming from one strange place.’ He was shaking his head and laughing. ‘She seems to