to be happy more than anything in the world. But I can’t make rash promises or make things right by willing them to happen. I can only fix what’s fixable and you have to stay here for the time being. I’m glad Julie has settled—’
‘That’s what she’d like you to think. But that’s all just for show.’
‘In what way?’
‘She’s made Cordelia into the other side of her.’
‘What other side? I’ve no idea what you mean?’
‘Her whiney side. Julie never complains about anything anymore and she keeps going on about our exciting new adventure and how Hyland Hall is the most wonderful place in the world when I know she’s really scared of The Rec— Mr Hyland. He has a hideous dog. Julie is convinced he’s a werewolf and I’m terrified he’s going to kill Peeper. And my friends no longer want to know me. They don’t reply when I Snapchat them because they’re so busy doing stuff that we used to do together.’ She was no longer able to control her rage. It was like the night he told her about addiction all over again. ‘Hyland Hall is just like being in prison.’
‘Come on, Isobel, don’t exaggerate.’
‘It is like a prison. I don’t know what we’d do if it wasn’t for Victor.’
‘Victor?’ His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. ‘Who are you talking about, Isobel?’
‘He’s Mum’s friend and he’s got this amazing swimming pool. He lets us play tennis in his garden and he wants us to move in with him.’
‘Move in—’
‘The Recluse is his uncle. Victor wants to look after him. His house is huge. We’d all have our own bedrooms. Even Cordelia could have her own room if Julie could bear to be parted from her.’
‘This Victor, how often does he call to Hyland Hall?’
‘All the time. I saw him kissing Mum—’
‘No, you didn’t.’ They hadn’t heard Julie coming up behind them. ‘You said it was only on her cheek. That’s not a real kiss, is it, Daddy?’ She slammed her fists against Isobel’s chest. ‘Liar… liar!’
‘Easy now! Take it easy, Julie.’ He pulled them apart and held Julie until she stopped struggling.
‘Cordelia says Issy’s a cruel, sneaky liar.’ She was whispering to their father but Isobel could hear her. ‘She hates Issy.’
The lines on his face deepened. ‘That’s hurtful talk, Julie.’
‘It’s not me, it’s what Cordelia says.’
‘Sounds to me like Cordelia talks too much. Why don’t you put her away for a little while and concentrate on having fun with your real friends?’
‘Cordelia understands me. And she tells me things.’ Julie burst into tears. No warning, just sudden howls muffled only by their father pulling her close to his jacket.
‘Dry your eyes, Julie.’ He handed her his handkerchief. ‘I want our day to end on a happy note. I’m sure Isobel does too.’
Isobel nodded. She felt mean and hurtful, yet she didn’t know how to take her words back. ‘Victor helps Mum with stuff in the house, that’s all. He was just being nice to her when he kissed—’
‘Let’s forget this conversation ever took place.’ He sounded stern and in control, as he did in the past, and she nodded. It was easier to pretend that hurtful words could be forgotten as easily as butterflies flitting through flowers.
They left the stables and stopped on the bridge that divided Upper and Lower Main Street. The river was running fast, curlicues of froth skimming the surface. He seemed mesmerised by the flow. Isobel dropped pebbles. She watched them plop and sink. Was this her life from now on? He was a Saturday Dad and they had nowhere to go except rivers and cafés and riding schools. They didn’t speak again until they returned to The Coffee Bean where Sophy was waiting for them.
‘Issy told Daddy you kissed Victor.’ Julie was barely inside the car before she blurted out what had happened at the stables. ‘He was as mad as a bear when he heard.’
‘I did not!’ Isobel yelled. ‘I said it was Victor who kissed Mum. Big difference.’
‘What on earth are you two talking about?’ Her mother pressed her hand against her throat and took a deep breath.
‘On your cheek,’ Isobel explained. ‘Julie says it’s not a real kiss but it looked real enough to me. And he’s here all the time making swoony faces at you—’
‘Stop talking nonsense, Isobel. What you saw was nothing more than a friendly gesture. Like a handshake. Not that you’d notice the difference because you’re too busy moping around the place.’