Joely realized, already bracing herself, that at some point, probably while she was being subjected to more of Freda’s stinging criticisms, they were going to listen to the music that had accompanied the start of Sir and young Freda’s intimate affair.
More minutes ticked quietly by and Joely’s thoughts wandered to her mother who hadn’t sounded her usual self when they’d spoken last night. (Not from the Valley of Rocks this time, but from the small, square balcony over the front porch, which Joely had accessed through the window of her blue bedroom. She’d managed to get two bars of reception and had frozen half to death during their short conversation. It hadn’t been easy to hear either, thanks to the combined roar of wind and waves.)
‘A bit of a cold, that’s all,’ her mother had insisted when Joely had asked if something was wrong. ‘Nothing to worry about. How are you?’
‘I’m fine,’ Joely replied, glad her mother couldn’t see how the bellicose weather was tossing her about like a pi?ata. ‘Still not sure how much longer I’ll be here,’ she shouted.
‘Is she treating you well?’ her mother shouted back.
‘I guess so. She makes sure I’m fed and lets me use her writing room, which is pretty amazing.’
Though her mother responded, Joely didn’t catch the words and when she asked her to repeat them her mother simply said, ‘It was nothing. I just wish …’ Whatever the wish was Joely still didn’t know because they’d lost the connection then and she’d been unable to get hold of her when she’d driven into town earlier.
Certain now that her mother was wishing she’d come home because Holly was being difficult, Joely decided she needed to try and call again later to find out what was really going on. It might be true that Holly was usually an angel where her beloved Grandma was concerned, but considering how unsettled she was by her parents break-up she couldn’t be relied upon to be at her best. And who could blame her for that?
‘Is something wrong?’ Freda asked, gaze still fixed on the flames. ‘You seem … agitated.’
Wondering if Freda had superpowers, Joely tried to think how to answer, but before she could, Freda said,
‘Is my memoir bothering you? I think you might disapprove of young Freda. You’re right to. Or perhaps you’re afraid of what’s coming next.’
Irked by the assumption that everything was about her, Joely bit back a tart response – after all, everything was supposed to be about Freda. However, it would do the woman no harm to realize that her ghostwriter had a life beyond that of some fancy form of messenger. ‘Actually I have a few issues going on at home,’ she confessed.
Freda didn’t break her gaze as she gave a brief grunt.
Definitely everything has to be about Freda.
More emptiness passed with a backing percussion of heavy rain and a howling wind until Freda finally said, ‘I thought as much. Now that you’ve brought it up, would you like to talk about it? I can be a good listener.’ She paused as though considering the truth of this, and apparently coming to a positive conclusion she added, ‘It can help to confide in someone who has no agenda.’
Joely couldn’t help it, she said, a touch wryly, ‘You mean you can be objective, the way you’re hoping I can be for you?’
Freda’s eyebrows arched, and only then did Joely notice how pale and tired she seemed, and as she wondered if reading the latest pages had been a strain for her she wondered too what had been on Freda’s mind when she’d stood in the meadow staring out to sea.
‘Tell me why you’re upset,’ Freda prompted. A smile hovered close to her lips. ‘Age and experience might count for something, so perhaps I can give some useful advice.’
Joely found herself considering the offer and what detail she might go into, and since there was no one else to talk to right now, and because she needed to hear herself voice her concerns, she said, ‘My husband’s left me for my best friend; my daughter’s obviously having difficulties with it; I think my mother’s stressing about my daughter, and my husband wants to talk to me – I don’t know what about, but it could be divorce.’
Freda withdrew her hands from her pockets and rested her elbows on the chair arms, linking her long fingers together. She allowed several moments to pass as she considered what Joely had told her and finally said,