Francesca, p.28
Francesca, page 28
He lived in his own home. His family was all grown up and married, and they never really bothered with him. George took my mam out now and again for a meal or a drink, but I resented the fact that he had his feet well and truly under the table, and he enjoyed looking like the man of the house and telling my brothers what to do.
George saw me as the ‘dragon lady.’ But he enjoyed sitting at the bar and boasting to his friends about what good friends he was with Tony Lambrianu, even though he had never met him. That annoyed me, but then, everything about him did. So maybe Elle was right, and I should cut him some slack and let my mam make her own choices.
I had tried reasoning with myself that, if it hadn’t been for George and the mess he had left my mam in when he had stripped the house bare and I had stolen Tony’s money to help her, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now. Fate and destiny were very strange things.
The next time I spoke to my mam on the telephone, I chatted on about how good it would be to see her and my brothers and then sort of mentioned that George could come to if he wanted to. I could hear how pleased my mam was. It was as though I could see her smiling down the telephone. I secretly hoped he wouldn’t come, but this was my olive branch. And I knew my mam would do the same for me. Even if she didn’t approve, she would put up with my choices.
When I spoke to my mam after that, I could tell she felt free to tell me she had seen George—that he had popped around or was planning to take her out later on in the week. When I spoke to my brothers, it seemed a different story.
George had his own chair in the lounge, which everyone had to vacate when he was there and wanted to sit down. He sat at the head of the table during meal times, which was when he always seemed to pop around.
I gave my brothers the same advice that Elle had given me. As long as they were okay and everyone had enough to eat and drink, it was up to our mam to choose her own friends, the way they did.
So there it was; George had already cheated and married someone else to make a point, even if he was a laughing stock to his friends with his four-day marriage. I didn’t believe he had just met this other woman by chance and married her. He had known her all along. I was also sure my mam thought this too but felt it wasn’t worth falling out about.
We would see what the summer holidays held and what George’s decision would be about coming. One thing was sure, though. He wasn’t going to sit at the head of my table!
22
Bobby’s Birthday
Everything was arranged, and everyone had been invited. My baby boy was growing fast, and this was a huge landmark. I had organised a magician to entertain the children and to give the adults a break.
The sun was shining. Bouncy castles filled the gardens, and we had put a large pool out for everyone to cool off in and swim if they wished. Julie had organised an ice cream van to park in the driveway and give the kids all what they wanted. Personally, I felt that was a true recipe for disaster and an awful lot of the children’s parents would curse her when they were up during the night with children with stomach aches.
I had invited my colleague’s children from the doctor’s surgery of the same age, and Bobby had invited most of his school! Elle had spent most of the day filling party bags and organising balloons and banners.
Josh was to come, which pleased Bobby, as they had got on so well on holiday in Italy. Julie had arranged pizzas and burgers to be delivered, and I had ordered a birthday cake with a Batman logo on it. The day was to be alcohol free. Apart from the adults not drinking in front of the children, it saved a lot of questions being asked about Julie not drinking.
Bobby was up extra early, and the time couldn’t pass quickly enough for him before the party began. The party theme was superheroes, so when the gates were finally opened, we welcomed assortments of Spiderman and the Hulk walking through them.
Obviously Bobby was Batman, and Josh was Robin. Julie, not to be outdone, came as Wonder Woman. The children’s parents were invited to stay. But they had declined, wanting to make use of their free time.
It was hectic. We were so glad when the magician turned up and entertained the kids in the gazebo. We could actually have a coffee and have five minutes to ourselves. Although Julie had made her entrance, Elle made a point of sitting her at the soft drinks table, pouring the drinks for the children. This way, she could sit under an umbrella and be off her feet. We looked after her as best as we could, even to the point where she would stay at my house for a few nights. Ralph accepted this now. He knew she would be with me, and he was welcome to turn up and check if need be.
This was also for Ralph’s sake, as well as her own. She still wanted her pregnancy under wraps—until she was given the all-clear by the doctors that everything was okay and there was no threat of a miscarriage.
Resting was her main concern. So when she did stay at my house, we made her sit and watch romantic comedies and the gripping excitement of daytime television! I was surprised that she seemed to enjoy Elle and me fussing over her like mother hens and making her wear flat shoes and some of my comfortable cotton pyjama bottoms. She wasn’t fond of them and so brought her own silky ones instead. That was the Julie we knew and loved, but she enjoyed this family support network.
I could hear Bobby shouting towards the kitchen, where I was putting the candles on his cake.
‘Mammy! Come and see Batman and Robin. They are here! They are really here!’ Bobby ran into the kitchen all excited and pointing out of the kitchen window.
Looking out, all I could see was a garden full of superheroes. I couldn’t see what all the fuss was about.
When I went outside, I saw that Bobby was right. There was Batman and Robin, in a fashion—otherwise known as Tony and Jake. My jaw dropped, all I could do was stand and stare at the two figures before me. Julie was in hysterics, laughing out loud at them both. If anything was going to raise her blood pressure, this was.
Tony was wearing black trousers and a black T-shirt with the yellow Batman emblem on it, along with a mask that actually made him look more like a highwayman. Poor Jake had drawn the short straw. His T-shirt was red, with a large black R for robin on it. He too was wearing a highwayman’s mask. Ralph was wearing his normal trousers and shirt, but he had joined in by wearing a mask, and they were all wearing capes! Dear God, if the newspapers could see them now.
Julie was quickly snapping photos of them, while laughing and shouting threats that she was going to sell them to the newspapers.
I looked at Tony. It had been a month since I had seen him. So why had he come today of all days?
All the children thought it was great fun watching the three of them. It really took the glory off the magician. I saw Julie cast me a sideways glance, and I tried to compose myself.
Tony had an armful of presents for Bobby, and all the other children looked on as he opened not only ‘action man’ dolls and all their army trucks but also games for consoles.
Susie wagged her tail and ran up to Tony like an old friend. He bent down and gave her a stroke.
He then picked up Bobby and wished him a happy birthday. The three of them had really made the effort, considering none of them had been invited. I was dressed as Catwoman, all in black with a headband that had cat’s ears high up on it and a long tail hanging from my black Lycra trousers. It wasn’t exactly the way I had wanted to look if I ever saw Tony again. I had wanted to look elegant and sophisticated, definitely not wearing ears and a tail.
Julie’s outbursts of laughter seemed to drown out everyone else. She shouted over to Ralph from the drinks table, ‘Who have you come as?’
Ralph was smiling. It was obvious to anyone that he felt it had been worth turning up and making a fool of himself just to see her laugh like that. This was Julie having fun with her friends, not Mrs Gold.
‘I’m Commissioner Gordon, Batman’s friend,’ he said while limping over. We all saw him look down to where Julie was sitting at the drinks table. A frown crossed his brow. He was obviously noticing the absence of her champagne glass.
‘Only soft drinks today, Ralph. This children’s party is an alcohol-free zone. Do you want an orange juice or something?’ i said. I could see the relief in Julies face at my intervention. This stopped her having to make up an excuse about not drinking.
‘There you are, Commissioner Gordon, or should I say Dick Turpin, alcohol free. More’s the pity.’ Julie put on her best disgruntled face at not being able to drink, and that seemed to satisfy him. It was so unusual to see Julie without her bottles of wine or champagne, she actually had to make an excuse for not drinking!
In the garden, Tony and Jake were surrounded by the children, who seemed to be circling them and showing off their costumes.
Tommy, one of bobby’s friends from school who had met Tony before and wanted to show the other children that he knew everything, announced to them all. ‘It’s not Batman. It’s Bobby’s dad. I’ve been in his car.’ He seemed to enjoy his moment of glory, lording it over the others.
His words stung me. Bobby’s dad? We were in the middle of getting a divorce.
It was Jake who came over to join us first, glad to escape everyone. ‘Fran,’ was all he said. Short and sweet I know, but I felt as awkward as he did. Still, we all put on a pretence for the sake of the party.
‘It’s good to see you, Jake, and looking so stylish,’ I said, breaking the ice and making it obvious he was welcome.
Julie was enjoying herself immensely. ‘Come on, you lot. Group photo time—something to show our grandchildren, eh? Hey, Jake, what does the R on your T-shirt stand for—Rsehole. She waved Tony over and gave one of the other parents her camera. This really was one for the album!
Tony eventually spoke. ‘How are you, Francesca?’ He seemed a little subdued. He gave me that familiar grin. ‘I hope you don’t mind us turning up like this.’
He waited for my reply, but I never got the chance. Jake was moaning to Julie that all of this was not his idea, to save himself from anymore of Julie’s insults.
Elle had lit all the candles on the cake and was wheeling it out on a large trolley. Everyone began to sing happy birthday. I was standing nearby with paper plates for the cake. A sea of hands from the children reached out and grabbed them, one by one.
All in all, it was a great day, albeit a very busy one.
Josh had been watching everyone playing. His socialising skills were not up to all of the chaos surrounding him, but he did his best. Bobby had made him go on the swings with him but he’d made a hasty retreat back to his own chair.
Ralph was talking to Josh and telling him how good he looked in his Superman outfit and was trying to encourage him to go into the bouncy castles. He didn’t, but you could see he was thinking about it. Maybe some other time when he had more confidence.
I saw him pick up a drawing book and pencils that one of the children had bought for Bobby’s birthday and started to draw. We left him to it, and he was having his own good time. I went to check on him a few minutes later, and when I looked down at his drawing I was amazed. It was a drawing of Bobby. You could tell who it was instantly.
Josh had a real artistic gift. My mam used to say, when God closes one door, he usually opens a window. She was full of phrases like that, and I never really knew what she meant. But on this occasion, she was right. Although Josh had his problems, he had been given a gift. He shielded his picture from me, and I pretended I hadn’t noticed and walked away.
Sitting next to Julie and Ralph, I couldn’t help asking. ‘You never told me that Josh had an artistic flair.’
They both looked at me curiously, not knowing what I was talking about. But then, Josh spent so much time away from them at school, how could they know?
Julie looked over and saw Josh concentrating on his drawing. Ralph was just about to walk over to him and Julie stopped him. ‘Not now, Ralph, leave him to it. Let him show us, in his own good time.’
Suddenly there was a lot of shouting and laughter. We looked over, and Tony had thrown Jake into the pool. They were both laughing and splashing each other. Personally, I got the feeling they were enjoying this party more than the children. Thankfully, it was a large deep pool that had taken hours to fill, because all the children started jumping in as well. Susie followed suit, doing her doggie paddle.
Elle went indoors and grabbed an armful of towels and started to hand them out. God knew what some of the parents would say when they turned up to this. Fortunately, it was hot, and everyone was drying off quickly. I couldn’t help but look at Tony’s damp blonde hair in the sunlight and think how handsome he looked.
Party bags were given out as parents came to pick up their children and although, there had been a few causalities running to the bathroom to be sick from all of the ice-cream, it was a great day for bobby and an exhausting one for me and Elle. Thank goodness, it was only once a year.
Rubbish bags to the rescue—Elle and I started clearing away all of the half-eaten discarded food. Elle made a point of making Julie sit down and keep the boys entertained, claiming we had it all sorted.
The sun was going down, but it was going to be a nice evening. Tony, Jake, and Ralph were lying on sun loungers drying off, complaining about how wet they were and then laughing because they had caused the water fight. Elle was laughing and smiling with them. It seemed to make her happy watching her two boys relaxing and laughing with each other like schoolboys; after all, they were still her little boys.
We all heard a noise and turned around. Josh and bobby were in the bouncy castle together, jumping up and down and laughing. I turned and looked at Ralph and Julie. They were watching Josh joining in and having fun. I thought I saw a tear in Ralph’s eye. I know he didn’t know yet, but this wouldn’t be the last time I would see Ralph’s emotional side. He was yet to find out Julie was pregnant, and he was going to be a father.
‘Well,’ said Tony, standing up, ‘we had better be going.’ His T-shirt was still clinging to him, and I have to admit those unladylike thoughts were going through my mind.
‘Thank you for coming and thank you for Bobby’s presents.’ I shouted over to Bobby to come and say goodbye to Tony and to thank him properly. I tried avoiding eye contact. I really didn’t know what to say. There was so much left unsaid.
‘Thanks, Tony Dad,’ said Bobby and gave Tony a big hug around his waist. Then he turned to Jake and did the same.
‘Walk with me to the car, Francesca.’ Tony took my hand and started to walk to where the car was waiting for him.
Jake seemed to hold back and make conversation with Ralph and Bobby.
‘I got your solicitor’s letter. You didn’t let the grass grow under your feet, did you?’ said Tony. He wasn’t laughing or smiling now. He was serious, and I really didn’t want to get into deep conversation or an argument now. The day had been too exhausting, and it wasn’t over yet.
‘Not now, Tony. But for the record, how long should I have waited? I waited too long for Luke and not long enough for you. Is there a time limit?’ I heard myself snap at him and could have kicked myself.
We were standing at the side of his car as his chauffeur got out and opened the door for him. Thankfully, Elle had seen to it that the chauffeur had been sitting in the kitchen eating everything she offered.
Tony just nodded at me, accepting what I had said.
Jake walked to the car. He had killed as much time as he could. He said goodbye and got into the car, while Tony and I just stood there in silence, which seemed to be deafening. It was like one of those awkward first dates.
‘Nice cats ears. You really do have nine lives, don’t you, Francesca? You start from the beginning time and time again.’ With that, Tony got into the car.
I couldn’t help myself. On impulse, I knocked on the car window. ‘If you’re ever passing by, either of you that is, the kettle is always on.’ I don’t know why I said it, but I just didn’t want it to be the last time I saw him. That thought saddened me. They had both made a huge effort for Bobby today. I don’t know why, but I felt it deserved acknowledging.
‘Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind, Francesca.’ With that, Tony indicated for the driver to leave.
Julie and Ralph’s chauffeur turned into the drive, and it was their turn to leave. Josh was carrying his party bag and looked very pleased with himself. Ralph walked along with his arm around Josh’s shoulders.
‘Bye, Aunty Fran,’ josh said shyly. It was a lovely statement from such a shy boy, although he wasn’t ready for me to give him a hug yet.
Ralph and Josh got into the car. And I must admit, it did make me laugh that, after all this time, Ralph suddenly remembered his bad leg and started complaining about it aching. Julie had told us he used it for sympathy.
‘Are you okay, love?’ Julie whispered into my ear as she leaned to kiss me on the cheek.
I nodded at her. ‘I’m fine, but you’re not. You have Ralph moaning about his leg all the way home.’
Julie raised her eyes up to the sky and got into the car. Bobby and I stood there waving them off. I bent down to Bobby. ‘Come on, sleepyhead, bath time. Happy birthday, love.’ I gave him a kiss.
23
An Eye for an Eye
A week had passed since Bobby’s birthday, and I hadn’t heard a word from Tony. I had given up hope of seeing him. I had made the offer of friendship and told him my door was always open, but he hadn’t come. Maybe I had just sounded desperate.
Julie was constantly at the doctors. They were keeping a close eye on her. Not only were things delicate, but they also classed her as an older woman having her first child. That hurt her vanity more than anything else.
Ralph was still in the dark about all of this, though he must have found it strange that she was keeping away from the nightclub scene and preferred to come to my house instead. He possibly thought she was giving me moral support, considering he knew about the divorce. At least he knew where she was, and that made all of the difference.
