Back on Track, page 29
“The family call me Gran. I think it’s special.”
“Of course it is but I don’t think it’s quite the same. I assume Warren is Grandpa or—”
“Pop they all call him and the littlest ones say Poppy.” Val smiled, her eyes watery. “He adores them. I just don’t understand where all this is coming from.”
“You’ve brought up several children almost single-handed at times, by the sound of it. I take my hat off to you. It’s beyond my experience. I’ve got one nephew and two great-nieces but I only used to have Greg stay when he was older. And his girls are still young – I’ve never looked after them on my own. I can empathise with Warren just a little.”
“I kind of pushed him into it, thinking he’d enjoy looking after them once he got the hang of it. And I’d no idea he felt as he did about our kids. I’ve heard them say things but they’re only teasing.”
“I wonder if it would help for you to talk as a family?”
“I can’t imagine Warren doing that.”
“Warren doing what?” He placed a drink in front of Ketty and took a sip of his own before he sat and looked from her to his wife. “What are you signing me up for now?”
“I was suggesting it might be a good idea to talk with your family about how you’re feeling.”
“As if they’d be interested,” he scoffed.
“Perhaps one at a time then. It might be your son in the business who needs to know how you’re feeling. As Val said, ‘old man’ is often a term of endearment but it depends on the relationship and the context. And I think you definitely need to explain how you feel about your son embarrassing you at the shop. He thinks he’s making a joke but if it’s hurtful to you then it’s not very funny, is it?”
Warren took another sip of his drink. “He’ll say I’m being too sensitive.”
“I assume you have customers of all ages?”
Warren nodded.
“I think sometimes we’re our own worst enemies when it comes to ageism. People make jokes about it and we go along with them. My neighbour Maurice is a case in point. He says things to me like ‘give the technology to a young person who can make it work’. Yet he’s perfectly capable of managing every aspect of his mobile phone and I am too. And if there’s something I don’t know I ask.”
Val waggled a finger at her husband. “You make those kind of jokes.”
“No, I don’t.”
“What about the last birthday card you bought me? That dreadful frumpy-looking woman on the front holding a bottle of wine in the air saying something like ‘don’t worry about getting older, drink up and roll with the paunches’.”
He chuckled. “It was a joke, pet.”
Val raised her eyebrows. “If you don’t like being called ‘old man’ by our son, imagine how I felt when my husband gave me a birthday card portraying me as a fat, wrinkled drunk.”
Warren gaped at her. “I never…”
“I know you didn’t, love, but a more positive birthday message would have been nicer.”
Warren took another gulp of his drink.
“This is just an idea,” Ketty said. “Perhaps you could tackle how you feel with your son by projecting it further afield. You could say someone you met on your travels felt intimidated by a salesperson who spoke down to them, or supposed they didn’t understand the technology. How you’d hate for that to be one of his customers. Instead of assuming someone doesn’t understand we should assume they do and encourage them to ask questions if they need. It might get you talking enough that you could mention your concerns about how he speaks to you.”
Warren sighed. “He sees me as old.”
Ketty smiled. “Old is just another word for experienced.”
“And our children do value that, even if you don’t think so,” Val said.
The floor vibrated beneath Ketty’s feet followed by the familiar gentle sway of the carriage. “We’re moving.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s late and Carlos hasn’t come back.” He had tried but not since she’d waved him away. “We’ve hardly spoken tonight. I’d better find out how he got on with the call from the airline. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight,” Val said and as Ketty left her seat Warren slipped in beside her. Ketty glanced along the carriage but there was no sign of Erik and Judith – they must have left as well. She hoped poor Carlos was still awake.
thirty-five
Night Two – Travelling South
Lacey tapped tentatively on the door to the single cabin then peered back and forth checking the curves of the corridor. She was alone.
When they’d first got back to the train Lacey had expressed concern about Birgit being on her own. Judith had been the one to suggest the changes to their sleeping arrangements. “If Rory tries anything stupid, he can deal with me,” she’d said.
Now Lacey wondered if she was in the cabin or perhaps in the bathroom. She tapped again.
“Yes,” Judith snapped brusquely from the other side.
“It’s me, Lacey.”
The door opened part way. Judith stuck her head out and they both looked from side to side.
“Birgit forgot her toiletry bag,” Lacey said.
“Right.” Judith glanced behind her. “It’s here on the basin.”
There was little space in the cabin with the bed made up. Judith stepped away into the small area in front of the basin. Lacey leaned forward. From further along the passage behind her there was a loud bang.
Judith stepped back to the door and they both froze at the sound of raised male voices, young voices with Irish accents.
“Inside, quick,” Judith hissed.
Lacey squeezed in. Judith shut the door behind her and turned the lock. Lacey jumped and Judith flinched at a loud thump on the door.
“Birgit, I want to talk.” Rory’s voice was slurred but as clear as if there was no door.
There was another thump.
“Will ya leave it out,” Rhys said. “Let’s get to our cabins.”
Judith sat on the bed and indicated Lacey should do the same. She was relieved to take the weight from her trembling knees. She sunk into the soft bedding and realised she and Judith were both jiggling slightly from side to side. The train was moving again.
She glanced at Judith. “Do you think they’ve—”
Judith put her finger to her lips just as there was another thump on the door.
Further away Rhys called out to Rory.
The two women waited.
“I think they’ve gone now,” Judith whispered. “But perhaps you’d better stay here a little longer…just in case.”
“You don’t think they’d do anything? Try to hurt you…us?”
“No. But they’ve had a skinful and drunks can turn nasty.”
Lacey thought of her dad then. She wondered where he was and what he was doing.
Judith gave her a searching look. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”
“I was thinking of my dad. He drinks too much sometimes but usually he just goes to sleep. Trouble is it could be anywhere. Last time he was at the kitchen table with a lit cigarette in his hand.”
Judith’s eyes flashed. “You don’t want to be putting up with that.”
“He’s moved out now anyway. Got a job in the country.”
“You’re on your own at home?”
Lacey nodded and they both fell silent.
“It must be hard to meet the rent.”
“My gran left the house to me.”
Judith’s eyes widened. “You’re very fortunate to own your own property at your age.”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds. The place needs repairs and there are more bills when a house belongs to you.” Something Lacey was still discovering.
“You could rent out a room.” Judith tugged at the cuff of one sleeve. “Plenty of people are desperate these days.”
“So desperate they’d even live with someone like me.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Lacey plucked up the toiletry bag. “I better get this back to Birgit.”
“Please, Lacey, don’t get hot under the collar. I was simply trying to be helpful.”
Lacey shrugged. Judith’s kind of help she could do without.
“Before you go…what you said about you and Dean…” Judith gripped her hands together then stood in front of the basin again. “I know you can tell me it’s none of my business but…are you sure you didn’t do or say anything to make him think you weren’t interested?”
“No.” Lacey hugged the bag to her chest. “I didn’t.”
Muffled voices sounded in the corridor and Judith put her finger to her lips again but the murmurs quickly faded and they were left with the noise of the train gradually picking up speed.
“I’m worried about him.” Judith’s voice was soft but the concern in it made Lacey’s heart beat faster.
“Why, what’s happened?”
“Our apartment block is being renovated and we’ve all been given notice. We’ve…he’s had no luck finding another place yet and on top of that you broke…he’s heartbroken and I’m sure it’s because of you.”
“Because of me!” Lacey leaped up into the small space between the bed, the door and Judith.
Judith waved her hand. “Keep your voice down.”
“I told you I didn’t break it off with him,” Lacey hissed. “We’d been to a movie. Had a good time, I thought, then a week later he rang to say he was going home for a visit and he’d call me when he got back. When I didn’t hear from him I sent a message. His reply was short. Cooling things for a while.” Lacey sagged back to the bed. The anger that burned in her chest was quickly enveloped by the hurt. “I didn’t know what to reply. I waited but I’ve heard nothing more.” She lifted her teary gaze to Judith. “He’s the one who called it off.”
Judith sat beside Lacey and turned to face her. “When I said he’s heartbroken because of you, I meant because I think he still…I think he likes you very much.”
“He’s got a funny way of showing it.”
“He’s got an overactive defence mechanism.”
Lacey frowned.
“Before he sent that message you said you’d been to the movies. What did you see?”
“He wanted me to pick. It was a romantic adventure comedy. We both enjoyed it,” Lacey said defensively.
“And afterwards?”
Lacey’s cheeks warmed as she recalled Dean badly wanting to go on for drinks and dinner and she being quite firm in her refusal.
“I’m not asking for every detail,” Judith said. “But I wondered if something had happened.”
“Nothing happened, maybe that’s what put him off me.”
Judith pursed her lips. “Dean’s not like the Rorys of this world.”
“He wanted to go on for a meal. I couldn’t go.” Lacey shrugged. “He was disappointed at the time but I didn’t think he was that upset.”
“Did you tell him why you couldn’t go?”
The warmth built in Lacey’s cheeks. “I was tired, I wanted an early night.”
“That’s it? You didn’t argue? Say something in the heat of the moment you regretted later?”
“No.”
Judith sighed.
“I just assumed he’s lost interest,” Lacey murmured.
Judith stared at the door, a small frown on her brow.
Lacey stood up. “I’d better go. Birgit will wonder what’s happened to me.”
“Let me.” Judith squeezed in front of her, turned the lock and eased the door open just a little. She poked her head out and looked both ways. “All clear,” she whispered.
Lacey stepped around her. “Goodnight.” She moved off, following the curving waves of the corridor, thinking about Judith’s questions, never imagining they’d have such a detailed talk about Lacey’s love life, or lack of it.
Ahead of her a door clunked shut. Lacey paused and listened. It had been a heavy sound, like that made by the door between carriages. She hoped she wasn’t about to run into Rory or Rhys. There was no sound but the carpet could muffle careful footsteps. Then she recalled Rory had sounded rather drunk so she couldn’t imagine him being careful. She moved on, and collided with two bodies hurrying from the other direction. A chorus of screams echoed in her ears. One of them was hers.
Ketty paused in the walkway between the two carriages, wondering what was going on. When she’d got back to her cabin, Carlos had been in bed and asleep. She’d been leaning against the door feeling sorry she’d been so long when she’d heard muffled voices in the corridor beyond. Curious, she’d stuck out her head and just caught sight of Ning and Tien in their pyjamas and dressing-gowns creeping along the passage in the direction of the single-cabin carriage. As they’d rounded the corner, she’d stepped out and followed. By the time she let herself out of one carriage and into the next, they’d already gone through the other door and disappeared from sight.
Ketty reached for the next handle as a series of shrieks sounded above the noise of the train. She yanked open the door and barrelled around the dogleg corner, running into Ning and setting off another round of piercing screams.
“Shh!” Lacey hissed from beyond Ning and Tien.
The cabin door beside Ketty opened a crack.
“It’s all right, we’re fine. Sorry to bother you,” she reassured the worried man peering out.
The door shut and Ketty turned to the three women huddled in front of her. She beckoned them back through the doors into their carriage, where they stopped beside the small kitchenette.
“What were you doing?” she said.
The three of them looked at her with the frightened faces of naughty schoolgirls caught smoking behind the toilets.
“I’ve been down to Birgit’s room to get her toiletries.” Lacey lifted a small bag into the air.
“Tien and I were waiting with Birgit,” Ning said.
“But Lacey was gone a long time.” Tien’s eyes were still wide with fright. “We decided to go and check on her.”
Ketty looked the three of them up and down. “And what were you going to do with the mug of tea and the umbrella?”
“If that nasty Rory was giving her trouble, Ning was going to throw the tea in his face and I was going to hit him over the head.” Tien brandished the umbrella in the air.
Ketty shook her head.
“The tea’s not hot,” Ning assured her.
“Everything all right here, ladies?” Matt came round the corner, making all four women jump.
Tien swung her umbrella and it sailed down through the air, narrowly missing Ketty’s right arm. Ketty glared at Tien before turning around and forcing her lips up in a smile for the train manager.
“We’re perfectly fine, thank you, Matt.” She waved a hand at the others. “Bedtime, ladies,” she said. “We’ve got another full day tomorrow.”
They squeezed past Matt one at a time and moved on along the corridor. Ketty opened her door and stepped in, nodding a goodnight as each woman passed. The last was Tien, the umbrella tucked under her arm. She gave Ketty a rueful look and hurried on. Ketty shut her door, leaned back against it and pressed her lips firmly together to stop the laugh that burbled up inside her.
thirty-six
Day Three – Travelling South
Judith opened her eyes to discover light filtering around her blind. She hadn’t imagined she’d get much sleep, there’d been so many things going around in her head when she’d climbed into bed. But as soon as she turned out the light the bed had become a cosy cocoon. Instead of the noise and motion of the train keeping her awake, it must have put her to sleep.
She propped herself up and peered around the blind. The sun was a glow on the edge of a flat landscape stretching as far as she could see. Today they’d spend their time in and around Coober Pedy. Erik had been distracted when she’d asked about the best places to see. The poor man was obviously stressed about returning to the place where he’d lived and worked with his wife. Not that he mentioned her at all. In spite of his moments of distraction, Judith had enjoyed his company. It had been refreshing to chat about the events of the day with someone new. There was something about him that reminded her of Ketty’s neighbour, Klaus. It might have been just his accent because they were not alike in other ways. Klaus was a gentler man and not so rough around the edges, like Erik who occasionally got a fierce look in his eye when he talked about his mining days.
Judith shrugged. Today she had other things to think about and Lacey was at the top of her list.
The small scraps Lacey had revealed about her personal life had surprised Judith. Both out at Simpsons Gap and then during her visit the previous evening, Judith had seen a different side of Lacey, a vulnerability. Lacey usually acted very reserved in Judith’s presence, revealing little about herself.
From the first day she’d started at Ketty Clift Couture she’d been an insular package, not needing help. She did ask questions when necessary but always of Ketty or one of the others, never Judith. And if she was being honest, Judith thought perhaps that’s why she’d never truly taken to Lacey. She’d kept Judith at arm’s length, not needing her or asking for her help as the others sometimes did. Then as time progressed Lacey had started to suggest business changes and Ketty listened to her. That had always been Judith’s role.
The familiar niggle of annoyance returned. Judith plonked her hands firmly on top of the covers. She couldn’t believe she was even bothering about Lacey but she was concerned for Dean and it seemed the two were still linked, albeit tenuously.
Judith had been quick to blame Lacey for the break-up, for hurting Dean when he’d suffered several rejections in the past, but there was obviously more to it if Lacey’s story was to be believed. This last month Dean had lost his spark, had been going out drinking with his mates more, had put up the shield he was so good at. He made light of his disability but Judith suspected his well-honed defence mechanism had come from challenges he’d faced in the past. He was good at giving the impression to the world that all was okay but Judith knew the real Dean.
