Second Time Around (20 page)

‘Are you sure of that, given her unpredictability?’ Jess rubbed distractedly at her temples. If Sharon knew about this, her blood pressure would go through the roof. ‘Maybe I
should say something to Keith.’

‘Aw, for crying out loud, Jess, why spook the guy? Don’t you think he has enough to worry about?’

He did. Of course he did. But Jess was terrified of keeping this information to herself. Who could she talk to? Nora, maybe? Yes, she would take it seriously and might even talk to Suzie about
it. Jess was glad to see that their friendship seemed to have recovered a little and Mum was spending less time with her sister.

‘Jess, don’t open your mouth, promise me,’ Noel said, looking agitated.

‘Okay, I won’t. Keith doesn’t need any more on his shoulders. I’ll have a word with Nora and see what she thinks.’

‘Why do you have to tell anyone? I’ll be there most of the time that Mum’s looking after Bobby.’

Jess stared at him and then nodded. ‘You’re right. The only person we need to talk to is Mum. Not only should she not be passing on medications, she should have them under lock and
key now a child’s going to be in the house.’

He gave a weary sigh. ‘That’s not a good idea.’

He was drumming his fingers on the table and no longer meeting her eye. ‘Noel? Whatever it is, tell me.’

‘Okay, okay, just don’t have a canary, right?’

Jess crossed her arms and waited.

‘Mum only gave me the sedative a couple of times. After that, I helped myself. I wasn’t being underhand: I just didn’t want her to know I was having such a rough
time.’

‘Why didn’t you talk to me, Noel?’ Jess felt dreadful now. She had been completely blasé about her brother’s exams and written off her mother’s concerns,
assuming that she was simply fussing over the blue-eyed boy the way she always had. Jess met Noel’s gaze and held it. ‘Hand them over.’

He hesitated, his hand going protectively to his pocket. The action upset her. ‘Noel, if it’s no big deal, why won’t you hand them over?’

‘I suppose it’s like a security blanket,’ he admitted.

‘Fair enough, I understand that. But you’ve a long summer ahead of you to enjoy. You don’t need them.’ He looked doubtful, his hand remaining over the pocket.
‘Okay, then, tell me why you would take one now.’

He shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I just feel happier and safer if I have them.’

‘They’ve become a habit, that’s all, but it’s a habit you need to kick. If you take them when you don’t really need to, they’ll become ineffective.’

He frowned and she realised she’d got through to him. ‘Make an appointment to see the doctor and tell him what’s been going on. I’m sure that he’ll be able to give
you something to help.’

He looked at her, his eyes hopeful. ‘You think?’

‘I’m positive.’

He dug into his pocket and tossed the sedatives on the table. Jess slipped them into her handbag. He snorted. ‘I look like your dealer.’

‘Shut up, we’ll get thrown out,’ Jess hissed, glancing round the busy café, though she couldn’t help giggling. ‘Are there any more of these knocking around
the house?’

‘No. I just picked these up from the pharmacy.’

Jess tried to hide her shock that he’d gone as far as taking her mother’s prescription to the pharmacy and was grateful that he was being so open now. Whatever problems he’d
had, she was pretty sure she’d caught him in time, or he wouldn’t be this frank with her. ‘Where does she keep her medicine?’

‘In her locker by the bed, in the bathroom cabinet and I think there’s some in the kitchen drawer, too.’

Jess rolled her eyes. ‘Unbelievable. Still, at least it gives us a reason to have a serious chat with her and put it all in one place and out of Bobby’s reach.’

Noel nodded, relieved. ‘That’s definitely the way to go. We can handle this between us, Jess. There’s no need to worry anyone else. Deal?’

‘Deal.’ She stood up. ‘Let’s go talk to her now and get it over with.’

Sharon sat next to her son, rubbing his back as he rocked himself, moaning quietly and stroking his storybook with the velvety cover. Keith had tossed it in the bin a few
weeks ago, saying it was scruffy and falling apart, but Bobby had gone in after it, screaming. That had provoked an argument between them but now, thanks to Baby, there were no more rows. Keith was
gentle and caring, treating her like a piece of delicate china. The downside of that was that he worried even more Bobby would hit her during one of his tantrums. Sharon pulled the sleeve down over
the scrape on her arm. Bobby hadn’t consciously hurt her: he’d just been lashing out and she’d got in the way. She could sense his fear and anger, and the fact that she could do
nothing to stop him hurting himself or anyone else fuelled her frustration.

When they had asked Suzie to mind Bobby, Sharon’s concern hadn’t been for Mum but her son. Now, she wondered if her mother would be up to the job and if it was fair to ask her. While
she looked great and seemed healthy – physically, anyway – Suzie was slight and not that strong. Feeling her anxiety start to rise, Sharon put a hand on her stomach and forced herself
to slow down her breathing. ‘Think of Baby’ was her new mantra, and it was a good one. She may have failed Bobby but she would have another chance if they managed to make it through the
pregnancy.

Sharon clutched her son tighter, feeling that her thoughts were a betrayal, as if she were trying to replace him. But she wasn’t. She loved her son and would never stop fighting for him.
She and Keith had never managed to have that discussion. Priorities had changed. Now they were simply firefighting and hoping for the best. At least Jess and Noel were onside.

She had been touched but not really surprised that Jess was being so supportive, but Noel’s reaction had blown her away. He had come over all macho and protective and told her not to worry
about Mum, that he and Jess would take care of her. Then he’d talked about all the things he’d do with Bobby and the great new movie out next month that Noel was sure he’d like.
Immediately, she had opened her mouth to protest that Bobby hated noise and crowds and flashing lights, but stopped herself. Sharon wasn’t going to be negative and she trusted her brother and
sister. Besides, she’d put together an enormous folder of information that would help them through. She chuckled as she imagined their faces when they saw it.

Writing it had been a revelation. Over the years she had started doing things out of instinct to make Bobby’s life easier, but on paper she could no longer pretend that this situation was
‘normal’. The thought brought tears to her eyes. If she could do nothing else during this pregnancy, she would at least read up on her son’s behaviour. It was time to face facts.
Bobby needed help and she wasn’t equipped to give it to him. Sharon thought of the last meeting with his teacher and shuddered. Keith would have been horrified if he’d been there. Bobby
stirred and looked up at her and she pressed her lips to his forehead.

‘Drink?’ she asked softly.

‘Juice.’

She stopped herself from telling him to ‘say please’ and, patting his back, went into the kitchen to get the drink and some of the breadsticks he loved. She set them on the coffee
table and he sat up and drank before lining up the sticks, humming to himself, and then munching them in order. It was the sort of behaviour that drove Keith mad, and now she understood why. Keith
also knew, deep down, this wasn’t ‘normal’. Lord, how she’d come to hate that word, how she avoided using it at all costs. Sharon rubbed his back as he enjoyed his snack.
‘You’re going to Granny’s tomorrow after school, Bobby. Won’t that be fun?’

He hung his head. ‘Granny doesn’t like me.’

‘That’s not true,’ she protested.

‘But you said so to Daddy.’

Sharon cursed herself. She needed to be more careful what she said around her son. ‘I was only saying Granny gets cross when she’s tired. Not just with you, darling. Anyway, Aunty
Jess might be there, and who else, do you think?’

‘Percy!’

Sharon rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, Percy, but who else?’ She was trying not to think about the dog. Who knew how the animal would react if Bobby lost it?

Her son said nothing for a moment and then straightened and smiled. ‘Uncle Noel?’

‘Yes! You like Uncle Noel, don’t you, Bobby?’

‘He’s funny.’ His smile grew broader. ‘We play games and paint!’

Sharon gave a dramatic groan. ‘Finger painting? That’s so messy.’

He giggled. ‘Messy!’

‘I think you’re going to have lots of fun and come home covered in paint.’

His smile was replaced by a frown. ‘Granny doesn’t like messy.’

‘That’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve talked to Granny and she says that messy is fine. Once you’re in the kitchen with Uncle Noel,’ she added, hurriedly.

To make life as easy as possible for her mother and to equip her with things Bobby was familiar with, Sharon had put together a crate full of art materials and also disposable plates and cups
that Keith would drop over later.

‘Guitar?’ Bobby asked.

‘Yes, I’m sure that Uncle Noel will play his guitar for you. What will you sing, Bobby?’

‘Bob the Builder.’

She laughed. ‘I thought so. Okay, sweetie, it’s almost bedtime. Let’s get the crayons and make a picture for Daddy.’

As gentle as a lamb, Bobby did as he was bid and she put on some soft music. The meditation classes had taught her the soothing healing power of it and she sat back and closed her eyes, enjoying
this peaceful moment. Realising how much more time Keith and Bobby would be spending together, Sharon had come up with this idea of Bobby drawing a picture for his dad every evening. She had
explained to her husband that the quality of the picture didn’t matter a damn.

‘Just praise him, thank him and give him a hug but—’

‘Don’t kiss him, I know, I’ve got it,’ Keith had promised, and it was working. Slowly. Bobby was starting to relax with his dad and she was touched when Keith had picked
up a crayon and drawn a picture for his son. He was a natural artist and it was an excellent replication of Bobby’s favourite car. Bobby had laughed and laughed and insisted on taking it up
to bed with him.

There was the sound of a key in the door and Sharon put a hand on her son’s arm. ‘Daddy’s home.’

‘But it’s not ready yet,’ Bobby shouted, frowning and colouring furiously.

‘Don’t worry,’ she soothed. ‘I’ll bring Daddy into the kitchen for his dinner and then you can surprise him.’

Mollified, Bobby kept colouring while Sharon hurried into the hall to waylay Keith.

‘Hi, sweetheart.’ He smiled and folded her in a warm hug. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m fine.’ Sharon closed her eyes and luxuriated in the feel of his strong arms around her. She turned her mouth for his kiss and instantly pulled away wiping her mouth.
‘Ugh, you taste of coffee.’

He chuckled. ‘Oops, sorry. I’ll keep breath mints in the car in future. Still feeling nauseous?’

‘Not as much.’

‘Good. How’s Bobby?’

‘Really good today and excited about spending time with Noel,’ she said, going into the kitchen. ‘He’s just finishing off your picture so I promised to keep you out of
the way.’

‘Didn’t I tell you it would all work out?’ He followed and washed his hands as she took the cottage pie out of the oven.

‘Don’t jinx it,’ she warned. ‘So, how were things in work?’ Keith worked long hours as a freelance surveyor and she hated the thought of his being put under further
pressure.

‘Fine. I’ve offloaded some projects onto Stan and Margaret and, if I keep on top of my email and get some work done on the weekends, it’ll be fine.’

‘They’ve only just graduated.’ Sharon frowned at the thought of him trusting the reputation of his business to his two new recruits. She set his plate in front of him and went
to make a cup of camomile tea for herself. ‘Are you sure they’re up to the job?’

‘I’ll vet their reports before they’re sent out,’ he assured her. ‘Now, stop worrying. Remember the amount of time we spent at the hospital when your mum had her
accident? We coped then, didn’t we? And we’ll cope now.’

She nodded, comforted by his words and the confidence in his voice. It had been a long time since they’d been this close and that was keeping her blood pressure under control more than any
medication. Thank you, Baby.

Mandy heaved a sigh of relief as she finished the latest wad of pages Douglas had left on her desk. He seemed to be writing morning, noon and night and, when he wasn’t
writing, he was whistling and smiling. She wanted to punch him. She was being the perfect PA, attending to his needs, business and personal, but she knew that, even if she cartwheeled through the
house buck naked, he wouldn’t notice. He didn’t join her for a cuppa any more or tease her about men. Mandy missed it, missed him. As she sat feeling sorry for herself, Douglas mooched
in wearing a goofy smile.

‘How’s it going?’

‘I finished that last chapter. I’m just printing it off now.’

‘Congratulations, well done.’

She sat up to award him a glimpse of her cleavage and black lacy bra but, oblivious, he went to pour himself some coffee. ‘Want one?’

She sighed, slumping back in the chair. ‘I’m good, thanks.’

‘Amanda, I was thinking. I wanted to send Suzie some flowers. Roses seem a little obvious. Any ideas what she would like?’

Flowers? Really? After one date?

‘Amanda?’

She looked up to see that Douglas was waiting for her answer. ‘Daisies. She likes daisies.’

He smiled. ‘Wonderful. Thank you.’

And her love-struck boss disappeared back into his office. Mandy’s dreams of a luxury break in Zagreb were going steadily down the toilet. He wouldn’t put his new romance at risk by
taking her with him – unless, of course, Suzie told him to get lost and, rejected, he needed a shoulder to cry on. Now, Mandy was an expert at consoling men whose wives didn’t
understand them. She just needed to put Suzie off getting involved with Douglas. She imagined her sister would be examining every aspect of the date right now and looking for reasons why he
wouldn’t call. Grinning, she stood up and went to the office door and knocked gently.