and dished them out. She held hers aloft.
‘Here’s to our success and may I say well done to you both for your outstanding performances last night!’
The three knocked cans together and each took a long swig.
‘I was scared,’ Kate confessed.
‘You were scared?’ Janeece laughed. ‘Did you see their faces when I pitched up? Half of them were eyeing me bin bag, wondering if I had a sawn-off shot gun in there!’
The three howled with laughter.
‘It is so lovely to see you, Jan, how did you know where to find me?’
‘I knew you were in Penmarin from your last letter, and the rest was down to luck. I decided to ask in the pub if they knew where you lived; I mean how many reclusive jailbirds could there be shacked up in a place like this?’
‘Well I’m jolly glad you did, do you know I really feel like this could happen!’ Kate felt her stomach jump with excitement and nerves.
‘You’d better believe it, Kate. This is it! Prospect House is nearly open for business! Woohoo!’
Whether down to the Pimm’s or high spirits, the three danced and laughed for most of the morning. Natasha’s impression of the po-faced Rodney was the highlight.
The three dozed off the effects of the Pimm’s in the midday sun. Janeece lay propped on her elbow, wondering what other beautiful places like this existed in the world and whether she would ever get to see them.
‘Have you heard from your kids?’ It was an innocent question asked out of concern. She knew what they meant to Kate.
Kate exhaled slowly and opened her eyes. ‘No. No, I haven’t, more’s the pity. I’m hoping that once we’ve settled in here, they may want to come and visit. I’ve told Francesca all about it, so it will all be passed on.’ Kate sat up and rested her chin on her knees. Please, please come soon. ‘The trouble is it’s a very long way—’
Whether it was Natasha’s tongue or her confidence the Pimm’s had lubricated, Kate wasn’t sure; the effect, however, was the same.
‘I don’t know how you put up with them, Kate, I really don’t. I think it’s a bloody disgrace. Yes, we know it’s tough for them; yes, we know it’s a long way to travel, but enough already! They’re not babies. How long are they going to punish you for? And how is it their job to punish you after all you have done for them, after the life you led for years just to create a happy family for them?’
Kate was taken aback, angry and defensive in equal measure. ‘It’s not that straightforward, Tash—’
Her friend was not done, interrupting Kate for the second time in as many minutes. ‘Actually, Kate, it is that straightforward. Their dad was a prize knob, a nasty piece of work, and you did your best to hide it from them, suffered for the sake of their convenience and this is how they repay you? Dominic travels the length and breadth of the country to go to a bloody party and yet can’t tootle to Cornwall to see how you are at a time when you need him more than ever? You let them get away with it, Kate, but you should get tough with them. I know I bloody would.’
Kate was incandescent. ‘Then let’s hope for everyone’s sake that you never actually become a mother because God help your kids!’
‘I wouldn’t let them walk all over me, Kate, that’s for sure. You need to set them a boundary, set them an example!’
Kate stood up. Her voice shook with barely controlled anger. ‘Set them an example? I’ve spent my whole life setting them an example! My whole life trying to show them how to be decent human beings by being kind and attentive—’
‘Yes! And look how that’s worked out. How kind and attentive are they exactly, Kate?’
Kate ran from the beach towards the path. The sound of her sobbing drifted back on the breeze.
Janeece looked at Natasha. ‘I’m glad I asked…’
Natasha buried her hands in her face. ‘Shit!’ She knew she had gone too far.
Natasha knocked on Kate’s bedroom door and entered without waiting for an invite.
‘I’m sorry, Kate.’
Kate stared at her through swollen lids. ‘For which bit?’
‘All of it. I shouldn’t have said it.’
‘I know you didn’t mean it, Tash.’
Natasha held her friend’s hand. ‘Oh but I did mean it, Kate! I just shouldn’t have said it.’
‘But you know my kids; you love them!’
‘Yes, I do. But I love you more. I will