Faith - Lesley Pearse [210]
‘But you’ll need money,’ Angie insisted.
‘I still have my savings.’ Laura shrugged. ‘And I didn’t even spend all the wages I got inside. The other women spent theirs on ciggies and sweets, I hoarded mine. I’m probably the only woman ever to come out of prison richer than when I went in.’
Laura slipped off to the toilet, and when she came back Angie and Meggie were laughing about something. ‘What have I missed?’ she asked.
‘We were just discussing how gorgeous Stuart is,’ Meggie giggled. ‘We think you ought to get round there right now and make him forget his aches and pains.’
‘I wish I could,’ Laura smiled. ‘But that isn’t on his agenda. He’s rescued the damsel in distress, and as soon as he’s well he’ll be off on to some other mission.’
‘Don’t be daft,’ Meggie said stoutly. ‘He’s still got the hots for you.’
‘Of course he has,’ Angie agreed. ‘I could tell just by the way he spoke about you last night. I didn’t know that he was an old flame until Meggie told me, but I can tell you, the flame hasn’t gone out.’
Laura shook her head. ‘I’m not what he needs. I’m all used up now and too old. What I want is a quiet life on my own, books, a dog perhaps, maybe I’ll take up gardening too. I haven’t got any passion left in me, it’s all gone.’
Angie got into a taxi when they left the coffee bar. She had to go back to the shop in Morningside. Meggie and Laura walked back up to the Old Town to meet Stuart.
‘I’m so excited about seeing him again,’ Meggie admitted. ‘He was so nice that day he came to see me. He’s one of those rare people who is capable of putting himself in others’ shoes without judging them. I ended up telling him stuff I’ve never told anyone else.’
‘That was my biggest mistake with him,’ Laura sighed. ‘Not telling him everything about myself when I first met him. I spent a lot of time inside thinking over why I lied and kept on lying. I thought I had good reason at the time, but now, after all that’s happened, it just seems such a waste. If I hadn’t been so stubborn and afraid I could have had you and Ivy close to me.’
‘Lots of sisters aren’t close even when everything is completely normal in their families,’ Meggie said evenly, catching hold of her sister’s hand and squeezing it. ‘At least we have always really loved each other, and besides, none of that matters now, we’ve got the rest of our lives to catch up.’
‘You took your time!’ Stuart said accusingly as he opened the door of his flat to them. ‘I’ve been watching the clock, afraid that something had gone wrong and they didn’t give you bail. I was just about to ring Patrick.’
‘We went to have a cup of coffee with Angie,’ Laura said apologetically. ‘It never occurred to me you’d be waiting and worrying.’
Stuart smiled. ‘You’re here now, that’s all that matters. I just wish I’d felt strong enough to get up to the court.’
‘Is it still painful?’ Laura reached out and gently touched his chest. She could feel the bandages beneath his shirt.
‘It’s okay unless I move too quickly. I have to put my arm back in a sling sometimes to rest it. But it’s the feeling weak which bugs me. I’m not used to that. Enough of that now! Hello, Meggie, in all the excitement I’m guilty of overlooking you.’
‘It’s good to see you again, Stuart,’ Meggie said shyly. ‘But you’re alone! Where are your friends?’
‘Gone down to have a look at Holyrood palace,’ Stuart replied. ‘We didn’t think it was a good thing for the kids to be here when you called, too much like Bedlam. But David and Julia are sorry not to be able to see you both. Now, how about a drink?’
Despite a very welcome gin and tonic, which ought to have relaxed her, Laura felt awkward with Stuart. She didn’t know if it was because Meggie was there, because he was hurt, or just that she was overwhelmed by her new freedom, but she didn’t know what to say to him.
There was just too much to say, she supposed. Her gratitude,