Stone Cold Red Hot - страница 27
“A bit.”
Not surprising. We were all togged up in woolly jumpers or fleeces and Laura had a short sleeved top on.
“I’ll get you a coat.”
“I’ll be alright.”
“Don’t be daft,” he stood up, “you’ll freeze.” He came back with a woollen jacket which she wrapped round herself. It dwarfed her. She was only small, slim too. Fine featured with long blonde hair, grey eyes, a brown birthmark the size of a cherry on one cheek. Ray had met her at college, she was an assistant to their administrator.
“Tom,” Ray warned his son who stood poised to chuck a large block of wood into the fire. “That’s too big, find a stick.” I could see the flames reflected in Tom’s dark eyes, slivers of light shining on his glossy curls. He grinned and dropped the wood.
Maddie sidled onto my knee and we sat quietly for a while. Maybe it would be possible for Laura to move in with us, it would be better than Ray and Tom moving out. I’d have to get used to sharing my home with a couple, get used to their intimacy. But would she want to live like this? With Maddie and me as well as Ray and Tom, and Sheila, our lodger, to boot? Was there space? I was assuming that she’d move into Ray’s bedroom but in her shoes I’d want a room of my own; she had a flat to herself after all. Giving that up. We couldn’t ask Sheila to leave, we had an agreement. We’d have to move the kids playroom, maybe put it in the cellar – or bring their beds down, put them in the playroom. But then they’d be sleeping on a different floor, I didn’t like that idea…
“Mummy,” Maddie shouted, “can I have a drink or what!” She’d been repeating it and I was miles away – worrying.
I tried to explain myself to Diane when we met up for a drink the following evening. “I’m uncomfortable with them. Even with Ray, he’s changed. I’m not jealous, you know I’ve never really fancied Ray. It’s more a feeling of being pushed out. Perhaps it’s envy? And then I keep thinking how awful it’ll be if they move out.”
“Why?”
“It’s worked so well, especially looking after the children. Tom and Maddie are close, we’re all close. I’d miss Tom dreadfully. We’re like a family, it’s like a divorce waiting to happen.”
“Have you asked Ray?”
“Asked him what?”
“If they’re making plans?”
“You sound just like his mother,” I scoffed.
“Well, have you?” she persisted.
“Diane, I can hardly talk to him about anything at the moment, he’s gone all vague and absent-minded.”
“It must be lurve,” she joked and rolled her eyes.
“It’s irritating whatever it is.”
“You should ask him. Tell him what your worries are. All you need to say is that you’d like him to let you know if he’s considering any big changes. After all it does affect you and Maddie, like you say.” She rattled the ice cubes in her glass.
“Yes.” Reluctant. Why? Because I didn’t want Ray to see how vulnerable I could be? Because I didn’t want to make a fool of myself? Because he might confirm my fears?
“Is Laura around a lot?”
“Yeah, more than before or he goes to her flat. She’s nice – well, she’s alright, I’ve nothing against the woman.”
Diane chortled.
“What?”
“You should hear yourself. Talk about back-handed compliments.”
“Well, it’s not her, she’s not the problem. It’s the situation. Whoever Ray was seeing it would feel the same, if it was this intense. I can get on with her OK…”
Diane gave me a look.
“I can! OK we’re not big buddies but I never see her without Ray so there’s no chance to get to know her properly.” I drained my glass. I wanted another.
“Do that then, arrange to see just her.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that. She’d think I was weird. And Ray would hate it.”
“Why’s it so weird?”
“Well, it’s their relationship, Laura’s there to be with Ray not get to know the housemates.”
“But if she’s thinking of moving in…”
“OK. Yes, if she was moving in I’d want to get to know her, not just as Ray’s girlfriend – but she may not be.” I finished lamely.
“So, talk to him. I’ve been here before. Deja vu.”
“Get us a drink.”
She was looking all exasperated.
I raised my eyebrows. “Please.”
When she returned I switched topics. Told her about my latest cases. I know she won’t blab about it to anyone. She was suitably appalled at the account I gave her of the attacks on the Ibrahim family.