James – Twenty Weeks
Stretched out on a lounger: I enjoy hot sunshine, the whisper of a quiet sea, a good book and on a tray by me, a jug and glasses, chilly enough to drip dew.
Perfect.
Close by, Richard doing much the same. Change my book for his newspaper and there’s not much to choose between us.
He scans the financial news. A quick look sidelong at his headlines…
Markets rise…
Boom in housebuilding…
Richard Hmmms in satisfaction, then refolds the paper to read the international section.
Drugs trafficking, Afghanistan…
Organised crime, Thailand…
Gang violence, Columbia…
Can’t they ever tell a good news story?
Charlotte’s taken up her accustomed post by the edge of the pool, dabbling her toes, watching Michael and Beth…
Is she going to join them?
But she seems quite happy simply to watch.
She’s so beautiful.
My Jade…
And my daughter… so far, only a smooth curve to her mother’s belly. Beth’s pregnancy is even less visible.
Beside me, Richard stirs, his voice low. “Don’t they look great.”
I follow his eye over the top of the newspaper…
… He is also watching the women.
“Oh, yes.”
“Looking forward to it? Being a father again?”
“You have no idea.”
Richard cocks a head to where Michael is cavorting with Beth in the water. He lowers his tone even more. “How’s he doing now?”
I snort. “I think you can see that.”
Richard chuckles, but then, “I’ll rephrase that. How is Michael doing when he’s not on a high; playing honeymoon games with Elizabeth?”
I rock my hand. “Highs and lows. I catch him sometimes, when he thinks I’m not looking, with shadows in his eyes. It’s always going to be inside him, I think; the void Ben left behind. Not just the loss of his brother, but the manner of it, the betrayal.”
Michael’s gaze is straying from Beth towards me, his smile fading.
Time to change the subject…
I reach for the jug to refill my glass, but my phone bings an interruption, vibing the tabletop.
Who’d be messaging me now?
They all know I’m on vacation
Richard’s paper lowers further, and he frowns across the top. “Someone bothering you when they shouldn’t?”
But I’m already checking the screen. “No. It’s an alert from my banking app.”
A purchase has been made at Dorothea’s babywear…
I hold up the mobile, displaying the screen. “Mitch is enjoying herself I’d say.”
He lifts sunglasses, squinting against the sun as he peers across, then chuckles. “Peanut’s not going to be short of clothes is she.”
“Not with Mitch in charge of the shopping, no.”
He eyes my glass. “What is that you’re drinking?”
“Tinto de Verano.” Then, to his blank expression, “Red wine spritzer in your terms. Traditional summer drink where I grew up. Want some?”
“Sounds good.”
The liquid fizzes pink as I pour for Richard, then top up my own.
He sips, then sips again. “Good stuff. Just dry enough. Just sweet enough. Shame the girls can’t have any.” Another sip. “Any more of this?”
“There’s plenty of red wine and mixers in the house.”
I lie back again, return to my reading, book in one hand, tumbler in the other… How is Jack Reacher going to get himself out of trouble this time?
Stretched out like this, baked by the heat, even the ache in my leg has subsided into the background. As the heat brings blood to my skin, I wipe iced condensation over my neck and face.
Aaahhhh…
My phone bings another announcement. Book in hand, I reach for the mobile with the other, thumbing the screen to life…
… Then cough out a mouthful of wine
What the fuck’s she buying at that price?
Richard refills my glass, a smile creasing his eyes. “Your bank account creaking?”
“Do you know a store called ‘And So To Bed’?”
“Nursery furniture. Cots, changing tables, storage hampers. That kind of thing. Veeerrry expensive on the scale of things. Elizabeth’s been looking around there. Mitch having fun?”
“I’d say so, yes.”
“Expensive fun?”
Hmmm…
He’s hiding a smile behind his glass. “Did you put a limit on the card you gave her?”
“No. I told her to spend whatever she wanted.”
“Does she know you get phone alerts?”
“I didn’t mention it.”
“You going to stop her?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it. There’s nothing I’d rather be spending money on, even if it’s Mitch doing the spending.”
The phone bings again and Richard explodes into laughter. “What is it this time?”
Perplexed, I stare at the alert. “Richie’s artist supplies.”
“Art supplies? What’s that about?”
“You tell me.”
She is being a busy girl…
“That card may have been a tactical error, James. I think you’re in for an expensive afternoon. I think Mitch may be taking you literally.”
“Suits me. I want her to. When I was married to Marlene, I spent all my time working to keep up with her spending. I barely got to see Georgie when she was small. I intend to enjoy Peanut’s younger years. And, if her mother can prise Charlotte into a maternity-wear store as she expands, I’m all for it.”
*****