A Summer of Secrets (22 page)

Whether she liked it or not, he was staying.

***

With the exception of the rich tosser who’d wrenched his little family out of his life two years ago, Joe couldn’t recall ever being more furious with anyone than he was with Gina right now.

Following her chucking-up episode, he bundled her unconscious form upstairs and dumped her on her bed, bits of vomit still clinging to her ridiculously short dress. He didn’t attempt to remove the garment, being devoid of all desire to touch either it or her any more than was necessary.

Back in the living room, he deliberated over what to do next. Not that he had many options. For one thing, his van wasn’t here, and for another, he couldn’t possibly leave Charlie with Gina. What if the child needed something? Gina –
if
she regained consciousness – would be incapable of making it into his room, let alone sorting him out. And what about her? Her inebriated state meant she could well throw up again and choke on her own vomit. Which left him only one option: to stay and keep an eye on them both.

He hung around downstairs, wondering who would awake first. It was Charlie. Thankfully in a better mood than that in which he’d fallen asleep. Joe dressed him, gave him his breakfast and set him away playing with his toy garage, praying he didn’t ask for his new Gruffalo. As an unwitting victim of Gina’s puking incident, it now languished in the bin.

Well, he concluded, as it was unlikely she’d be sick again at this stage in the proceedings, he had no intention of hanging around the house waiting for her to wake up. And it wasn’t fair on Charlie to be stuck inside on such a lovely day, either. So, anger fuelling his determination, he marched upstairs to her room and hammered on the door. A strange muffled sound came from within. He pushed open the door and peered inside. She was sprawled on top of the bed, in her puke-stained dress, hair sticking up at all angles, face a collage of smudged make-up.

‘Wh-what?’ she muttered, gazing at him through half-opened, bleary eyes.

Revulsion washed over Joe.

‘If it’s all right with you, I’d like to take Charlie out for the day.’

Without the effort of even attempting to raise her head, Gina continued to gawp at him, the information he’d imparted obviously taking a while to compute in her alcohol-ridden brain.

‘Oh. Okay, then,’ she eventually muttered. Before turning over and burying her face in her pillow.

‘Call me when you get up,’ he instructed.

Her reply, mumbled into the pillow, was indecipherable.

Joe called a taxi and took Charlie to Buttersley. He’d spotted posters earlier in the week for a Family Fun Day on the riverbanks there. Depending on the success of the
Gruffalo
outing, he’d intended asking Gina if she and Charlie would like to go. Well, now he knew the outcome of the
Gruffalo
outing, and that there was little chance of Gina surfacing before midweek, never mind playing Giant Jenga and queuing for candy floss today.

Alone with his son, Joe felt strangely nervous. Like someone had entrusted him with a very precious, irreplaceable object. Charlie, thankfully, appeared to be experiencing no such qualms. Having chattered incessantly during the journey there, upon arrival he appeared momentarily stunned.

‘Wow,’ he exclaimed, his dark eyes wide with awe. ‘Can we stay here
all
day?’

‘We can stay here as long as you like,’ Joe replied, that increasingly familiar, warm, fuzzy feeling sweeping over him again as he smiled down at the little being holding his hand.

Overcome with excitement, Charlie announced he wanted to do
everything
. So they made a start – first with Hook a Duck, then Scalextric, and were just finishing Giant Jenga when someone called over.

It was Bethany Stevens and her half-sister –the girl Joe had met at the Stevens’ house a few days before. God. He’d forgotten her name again.

‘Hi, Joe,’ gushed Bethany. ‘I’m here with Candi.’

Ah. That was it. Candi. Short for Candice.

‘We’re having a great time, aren’t we, Candi?’

‘We are,’ confirmed the older girl, smiling at Joe.

Bethany’s attention shifted to Charlie. ‘Who’s this?’

Charlie’s tiny hand tightened its grip on Joe’s, causing Joe’s heart to constrict. ‘This,’ he began, bursting with pride, ‘is Charlie.’ Then, slamming on the brakes before he added any further explanation, ‘I’m looking after him for the day.’

Candi crouched down to the child. ‘Hello, Charlie. Are you having a lovely time?’

Charlie nodded.

‘Please can Charlie come on the bouncy castle with me?’ Bethany asked. ‘I’ll show him what to do.’

From behind her spectacles, Candi glanced up at Joe.

‘Would you like to go on the bouncy castle with Bethany?’ he asked his son.

Charlie affected another nod.

‘Come on, then.’ Bethany held out her hand to him. ‘If you keep hold of my hand, Charlie, I’ll look after you.’

A few minutes later, the children rolling about on the inflated structure, roaring with laughter, Joe and Candi were leaning on a barrier observing proceedings.

‘Well, I think it’s safe to say Charlie is loving that,’ Candi chuckled. ‘He hasn’t stopped laughing since they climbed on. How old is he?’

‘Three years and four months,’ Joe replied. Without having to think about it.

‘He seems like a great kid.’

‘He is.’ He’s my son, he desperately wanted to add. But he couldn’t. Things were complicated enough.

‘So what about you?’ he began, desperate to divert attention away from his personal life. ‘I had no idea Rich had another daughter.’

Candi gave a snort of ironic laughter. ‘Neither did Rich until a couple of weeks ago.’

Joe cocked an enquiring brow.

Candi shook her head. ‘It’s a long story. But in a nutshell, I only found out who my dad was a month or so ago. My mum would never tell me. And when I did find out, I decided I’d like to meet him.’

‘And how did he take the news?’

Behind her spectacles, Candi’s eyes widened. ‘Well, to say he was shocked would be a bit of an understatement. But he’s been absolutely brilliant. They all have – him, Alison and Bethany. I already feel like one of the family and I’ve only known them a few days.’

‘And how does your mum feel about you contacting him?’

She screwed up her face. ‘Believe me, you do not want to know.’

‘As bad as th –?’ At the sound of his mobile ringing, Joe broke off.

‘D-day, mate,’ Phil informed him. ‘Decision needed by the end of the week.’

‘Crap,’ puffed Joe as he hung up, momentarily forgetting Candi’s presence.

She furrowed her brow. ‘Problem?’

‘I’ve been offered a job.’

‘Well, that’s good, isn’t it?’

‘In Tenerife.’

‘Oh. Right. Big decision, then.’

‘The biggest.’

The rest of the day passed in something of a laughter-infused blur for Joe. Bethany constantly fussing over Charlie proved amusing enough, but watching Charlie lap up all the attention made Joe the happiest man on the planet. Just after the four of them had wolfed down hotdogs slathered in onions and ketchup for lunch, Charlie began yawning, leading Joe’s thoughts to turn to Gina. Something, he suddenly realised, they hadn’t done all day.

‘I’d better take him home for a nap,’ he said to Candi. ‘He’s shattered.’

She nodded. ‘Good idea. All the excitement has worn out the poor little mite. And me, too, to be honest. I think we’ll head back now as well.’

‘Well, thanks for your company,’ said Joe. ‘I don’t know if Charlie would’ve enjoyed it half as much if it’d been just me and him.’

Candi laughed, lighting up her entire face. Something which, Joe noticed, happened every time she smiled. Which could be why he’d become so fond of her smile during the course of the morning.

‘I’m sure he would’ve had a brilliant time had it been just the two of you,’ she replied. ‘And anyway, I could say the same about me and Bethany. I think she’s enjoyed mothering Charlie more than anything else today.’

Now it was Joe’s turn to laugh. ‘In that case, it sounds like it’s worked out well for all concerned.’

‘Definitely. Well, I suppose we’ll see you around, then.’

‘I suppose you will. Bye for now. And thanks again.’

It was only when Candi and Bethany had wandered off that Joe remembered he didn’t have his van with him. And, even if he had, it wouldn’t have been much use as he didn’t have a car seat. He’d have to call another taxi. Unless Gina had surfaced. If she had, she could come and pick them up.

He tried her mobile. No answer.

He tried the landline.

Karen answered.

Joe explained the situation.

‘I’ll leave right away,’ she informed him.

In the short time it took Karen to reach Buttersley, Charlie had fallen asleep in Joe’s arms, on the bench where she’d instructed him to wait.

‘Wow. He’s well and truly zonked,’ she chuckled. ‘Have you had a good day?’

‘Brilliant,’ Joe replied. ‘I can’t tell you how much I love spending time with him.’

Karen nodded. ‘I’m not surprised. He’s a pleasure to have around. Unlike his mother.’

Joe snapped his head round to her.

‘She’s still wallowing in bed, before you ask,’ Karen went on. ‘And when she does surface, she’ll be nursing a monumental hangover. It’s the same most weekends.’

Joe’s mouth dropped open. ‘But she never had any interest in going out drinking before. She wanted to go travelling. Do a degree.’

Karen’s features twisted into a rueful expression. ‘That was before she flitted off with Gregg. He gave her a taste of the high life and she liked it. Now all she wants to do is get dolled up and go out to trendy wine bars with her hairdressing mates.’

Joe’s mind reeled. ‘But I thought she didn’t have much money. She said she couldn’t afford tickets to
The Gruffalo
.’

‘She couldn’t afford them because she spends every penny on herself.’

Joe shook his head. ‘But she used to –’

‘She’s not the same person she was when she was with you, Joe. Even though she’s my daughter and I love her dearly, there’s many a time now when I don’t actually like her.’

Joe suddenly felt like he was about to throw up. ‘Bu-but Charlie?’

‘Oh, he doesn’t suffer. I make sure of that. In fact, last night was the first night out I’ve had for three months. I’m normally so busy looking after the little fella while Gina is gallivanting.’

Joe could scarcely believe what he was hearing. But that wasn’t the end of it.

‘I’ve seen the way you look at Gina and I know you still love her, Joe. But, believe me, she isn’t worth it. You deserve so much better. And if you’re worried about her not letting you see Charlie – don’t. She’s taken him from you once and I won’t let her do it again. You’re a fantastic dad and the child would be a deal worse off for not having you in his life. Now, I’ll take him home and let you mull over what I’ve said.’

And, with that, she bundled up the sleeping child and drove off.

Leaving a stunned Joe sitting stock-still on the bench.

Chapter Seventeen

Rich stuck a finger in his ear and waggled it about, just to make sure it was functioning correctly and he hadn’t misheard. ‘You mean Bernice just bowled in here with her latest fella and demanded the money?’

Sitting at the wrought-iron table in The Old Granary’s idyllic garden, Alison took a large slug of gin and tonic before nodding. ‘It was a nightmare. I’m still shaking.’ She held out her hand to demonstrate. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my entire life. Bernice was hysterical, shouting and screaming like someone deranged. And the bloke with her was a tattooed Neanderthal. God knows what would’ve happened if Joe hadn’t been here to sort them out.’

‘I dread to think,’ muttered Rich, cursing himself for not being around. He should never have gone up to Newcastle on business; should’ve stuck around, knowing something like this would happen. He’d been a total coward avoiding the issue of Bernice and her monetary demands. She wasn’t the type to quietly disappear. And she hadn’t. She and her tattooed thug of a boyfriend had invaded his home, entering uninvited, manhandling Alison when she’d opened the door to them; and scaring the living daylights out of poor Bethany and Candi who’d been messing about in the kitchen.

Alison shrugged. ‘You weren’t to know they’d show up like that.’

‘I think we should call the police,’ asserted Rich, unable to recall a time he’d felt so angry – or such a failure. He should’ve been here to protect his family. He could only thank God that Joe had been. He owed the guy. Big time.

Alison shook her head. ‘I don’t think she would dare come back. Not the way Joe dealt with them. And I don’t want Candi and Bethany upset any more than they already are. Involving the police would only mean an incessant round of questioning and poor Candi is distraught enough. She thinks the whole thing is her fault.’

‘Poor kid,’ said Rich. ‘It’s hardly her fault her mother is a waste of space. Well, she’s certainly not going back home tonight. I wouldn’t rest knowing she was anywhere near Bernice.’

‘Me neither. I dread to think what she’s been through these last few years since her grandmother died. I can imagine living with Bernice is like living with a constantly erupting volcano. Which is why I think we should ask Candi if she’d like to stay with us for a while.’

Rich couldn’t believe it. He’d been thinking exactly the same thing, but hadn’t known how to broach the subject. After all, Candi might be his own flesh and blood, but they hadn’t known her long. And having a new family member was something they all needed time to adjust to. It appeared, though, as he looked through to the kitchen and observed Candi and Bethany huddled over a book together, that maybe they already had adjusted.

‘I think that’s a brilliant idea, Mrs S,’ he said, taking hold of Alison’s hand. ‘And I just want you to know that you are the best wife on the planet.’

Alison giggled. ‘Well, I suppose, as husbands go, Mr S, you’re not too bad yourself.’

***

Well, that had been an eventful day, mused Joe, as he drove home that evening. The incident at the Stevens’ house, when Candi’s mother and her bum of a boyfriend had turned up, had certainly taken his mind off his own problems for a while. It had been like something off the telly – an unexpected blast of chaos and confusion – which, given the drunken state of the two instigators, could have turned very nasty.