who they had in mind as their son’s future wife. Now she was pregnant!
But this was their grandchild growing inside Melissa, so they had it all planned out in true Byatt fashion . . . and that was what the breakfast was about. The chance to fill Melissa in on what they’d decided about her baby and her body. They informed her that Patrick and Melissa would marry before she showed too much, and Bill and Rosemary would lend them the money to get a small place of their own . . . in Forest Grove, of course. It wasn’t exactly romantic, having their marriage decided by Patrick’s parents. But it was hard to turn down a house and the chance to provide a decent life for the child growing within her. Looking back, Melissa could see the Byatts had steamrollered her into it, taken advantage of her naivety. But it wasn’t about her. It was about the child growing inside her, her beautiful Joel. Two months later they were married in a hastily arranged ceremony in the forest. In the end, it really was beautiful, Melissa dressed in Rosemary’s wedding dress, Patrick looking impossibly handsome in a new suit.
But still, Melissa never forgot that breakfast when she’d been forced into a decision she hadn’t even had time to consider.
‘It’s just been so hectic the past couple of days,’ Rosemary said now as she handed Melissa a coffee. ‘I thought we could catch up.’
Melissa sighed and sat across from her. She might as well get it out of the way.
‘I just wanted to make sure you knew we’re always here for you,’ Rosemary said. ‘No matter what.’
Melissa looked at Rosemary’s concerned face. No matter what. Did she know something wasn’t adding up with Patrick’s attack? It was probably the meeting last night, how the detective told them all the culprit might be closer to home than they thought. She had seen the way it had given the community pause, especially Bill.
‘Melissa?’ Rosemary pushed. ‘You know that, right? That I’m here for you? Bill too?’
‘Of course,’ Melissa said, smiling. ‘I know you’re both here for me and the kids too. All of us know that.’
‘Good.’ Rosemary paused, taking a sip of her herbal tea. ‘I just keep trying to wrack my brains about who might want to hurt Patrick.’ She fixed Melissa with a look.
‘We all have,’ Melissa said, trying to keep her voice even as she picked up a pastry, taking a bite.
‘I mean, you know my boy more than most.’ Rosemary tilted her head, a small, strained smile on her face. ‘How have things been at home lately?’
Melissa placed her pastry down, no longer hungry. ‘Normal, completely normal,’ she said firmly. ‘I mean, Patrick’s been stressed with the election coming up.’
‘Yes, he has been a little more pensive than usual,’ Rosemary said thoughtfully.
‘Which is only natural, right?’ Melissa asked, looking her mother-in-law in the eye.
Rosemary snagged her lip between her teeth. ‘It’s just . . . well, you know what a mother’s instinct is like, Melissa, and I just noticed Patrick seemed to have a lot on his mind recently.’
‘You know the way Patrick is,’ Melissa said, trying to hide her frustration. ‘He always wants everything to be perfect, so he’s been working non-stop for the election. But it’s nothing out of the ordinary – nothing that could explain why he was hurt on Thursday, anyway.’ Melissa examined Rosemary’s face. ‘Why, did Patrick talk to you guys about anything?’
Rosemary quickly shook her head. ‘Nothing. What about the kids?’
Melissa froze. ‘What do you mean?’
‘They must have sensed their father’s stress. Have they been okay?’
Melissa swallowed nervously. Did Rosemary suspect the kids were involved? ‘They’ve been absolutely fine,’ she said. ‘What’s this about, Rosemary?’
‘Oh, I’m just trying to place some context around things.’ She peered at Melissa’s plate. ‘You’ve barely touched your pastry!’
‘I’m not that hungry,’ Melissa said, looking at the clock, suddenly desperate to get away.
‘Poor love,’ Rosemary said kindly, putting her hand over Melissa’s. ‘I haven’t even asked how you’ve been.’
‘You mean since Thursday?’ Melissa asked. ‘Or before?’ she added, hoping she was making it known she wasn’t exactly delighted with this line of questioning.
‘Both,’ Rosemary said. ‘You said Patrick has been busy, so all the day-to-day stuff must have been falling to you?’ She leaned forward, lowering her voice. ‘I know how you’ve struggled before, Melissa. I just want to make sure we’re not getting a repeat of the past.’
Melissa stood up, coffee spilling on her jeans. She