Roses Are Red - Miranda Rijks Page 0,94
slurps out of it onto the pale blue tablecloth. ‘Do not make this about me! I am trying to protect you, Lydia!’
‘I’m sorry.’ I squeeze my eyes closed.
‘Look,’ Patrick says. ‘I’ll help you. I’ll take you to the Aryas’ house and make sure you’re safe. If Ajay is as violent and volatile as we think he is, he could kill you if you step foot in his home. Does he go out anywhere on a regular basis?’
‘I’m not sure.’ I run my fingers through my hair as I think. ‘Actually, yes. He’s a member of the local photography club, and they meet up every Tuesday evening. He always had to leave work on time on a Tuesday.’
‘Fine. We’ll do something tomorrow night and I’m going to help you. I’m not letting you go by yourself. I’ll give it some thought, and we can discuss our plans this evening.’
‘Thank you,’ I say. I walk towards him to give him a kiss on the cheek, but he steps to the side and leaves the room. I hear him shut the front door, and then his car starts up. Patrick has left home without saying goodbye.
It’s Tuesday, early evening. We eat supper at 6 p.m., not that I have the appetite to consume chicken breasts, rice and vegetables. Instinctively, I feel that it’s the right thing to visit Marianne, but I’m nervous. Twenty years ago, I could probably have anticipated her reaction, but these days, I don’t know her. I just hope she will agree to talk to me.
‘I’ll drive, ok?’ Patrick asks. He dangles the Bentley’s key in front of me. I’ve noticed how much he enjoys driving the Bentley, and it makes me smile.
‘Ok,’ I say as I put on my anorak.
I am zipping up my coat when the telephone rings.
‘You get it. I’ll start the car,’ Patrick says.
I hurry towards the kitchen, knowing there’s not a chance of either of the kids answering the landline.
‘Hello,’ I say, slightly breathless.
‘Lydia, it’s Fiona. I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch for a while. Work has been crazy.’ From her echoey voice and the fluctuating white noise, I assume she’s calling me from the car. ‘Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I’ve got the first draft of your will done. It’s an outline, as we haven’t discussed the detail, but I was wondering if I could pop over to show it to you?’
‘Sure. When were you thinking?’
‘In five minutes or so.’
‘Um, we’re just about to go out.’
‘Oh, that’s annoying. I’m literally passing your front door in about five minutes. My diary is so jammed I’m not sure I’ll be able to see you for another fortnight at least. Are you going to be out for long?’
‘About an hour, I suppose.’ It will only take us fifteen minutes to get to Marianne and Ajay’s house, and I can’t imagine I’ll spend more than half an hour talking to her. Of course, she might send me packing immediately, which will mean we’ll be back within half an hour. ‘Why don’t you come over anyway,’ I suggest. ‘The kids are both at home and there’s a bottle of wine in the fridge. Help yourself to the television in the living room. I’ll tell Mia to let you in.’
‘Thanks. I’ve got work to catch up on, so I won’t need the telly. I’ll be there shortly and see you soon.’ She hangs up before I have time to say any more.
I run upstairs and barge into Mia’s room. She looks up from her laptop and sighs, but she doesn’t reprimand me for entering without knocking.
‘My friend Fiona is coming around in a few minutes. I’ll leave a bottle of wine and a glass in the kitchen for her. Tell her to help herself.’
‘What, are you worried I’m going to drink it?’
I don’t grant her a response. ‘We won’t be long. Just finish your work, please.’
I run downstairs, grab a three-quarters-full bottle of white wine from the fridge, and place it next to an empty glass on the kitchen table. I find a packet of crisps and place them next to it. Then I hurry to the front door and close it behind me. It’s getting dark outside, and I can see Patrick in the driving seat of the Bentley, his fingers tapping impatiently on the wheel.
‘Sorry,’ I say as I get into the car, pushing my craft bag to the side of the footwell and placing my handbag on top of it. ‘Fiona just rang.