The Way We Were_ A Novel - Marcia Willett [61]
‘You're asking for a smack,’ Aunt Em told her, as they took their plates to a table by the window. ‘I recognize this mood of old. In a minute we'll have “pee po piddle bum” and toys all over the floor.’
Liv laughed. ‘You are so right,’ she agreed. ‘I'd simply love to go into orbit and do the whole bit. Isn't it tiresome when you're supposed to be grown up and you can't just let it all rip?’
‘Poor Liv’ Aunt Em was eating with relish. ‘This is very good. But what has Andy done to incur your wrath?’
‘It sounds silly, really’ admitted Liv. ‘You'll think I'm crazy to get so upset just because he's met up again with the wretched Cat and seems to be falling for her. It is crazy, isn't it? Do you remember Cat, Aunt Em?’
‘Oh, yes,’ said Aunt Em. She seemed to have lost her appetite though she finished the last few forkfuls. ‘I remember Cat very well.’
‘Well, then.’ Liv's tone implied that nothing more need be said. She finished her own lunch and glanced curiously at Aunt Em, who was sitting silently staring at nothing in particular. ‘He says it's all such a long time ago that she was so beastly to Zack, and I take his point, but we never liked her. And Mum never liked Angela, did she?’
‘No,’ said Aunt Em. ‘No, she didn't.’
‘Well, then. I'm just so cross with him. It's disloyal, and now he's talking of her coming down to Cornwall and dropping in on us. He must be out of his mind. Anyway, that's why I'm in a bate. Oh, here's Chris.’
She brightened, moving her plate a little to the side, her volatile mood enhanced by his presence; she had the urge to be really outrageous just to make him laugh but reluctantly abandoned the idea. Aunt Em's unusually thoughtful expression dampened her spirits a little.
‘I've just come to say hello,’ he said, ‘not to interrupt anything. Are you well, Mrs Bodrugan?’
‘Very well, thanks.’ Em smiled up at him. ‘Penharrow seems to be going from strength to strength. You must be very proud. Are you having some lunch?’
‘Val's getting us something.’ He shifted, pushing his hands into his pockets, as if he were deciding whether to sit down beside Liv ‘Just a sandwich or some soup.’ Still he hesitated. ‘We've got a busy afternoon, actually, so I suppose I'd better get on.’
‘You do that,’ said Liv cordially. ‘Hurry away. Mustn't keep Val waiting.’
He looked confused, even slightly irritated, smiled again at Aunt Em and went out. Liv drummed a little tune on the table top and pulled a face. Aunt Em watched her sympathetically.
‘Shall we go for a walk along the cliffs?’ she suggested. ‘Then you can have a really good scream.’
Liv burst out laughing. ‘I don't know what's wrong with me,’ she said.
‘Don't you?’ asked Aunt Em drily.
Liv stared at her, the laughter dying out of her face. ‘What do you mean?’ she asked almost fearfully. ‘I told you I'm all wound up about Andy.’ She looked away from the older woman's direct gaze. ‘It's Andy’ she repeated. ‘Never mind. Let's have some pudding.’
Later, in Liv's flat, Em made up her mind. The mention of Cat's name at lunchtime had had a surprising effect upon her; a stomach-churning anxiety out of all proportion. This sense of unease, combined with Liv's behaviour, forced her to a resolution. Nervously she prepared herself, assembling her thoughts, formulating sentences in her head, waiting for the right moment.
‘We'll have coffee at my place,’ Liv had said. ‘Debs is a terrific cook but the coffee isn't as good as mine.’
So now here they were, Liv putting the pot down beside her and pushing a pretty, fragile mug towards her. Em straightened her spine and took a steadying breath.
‘I couldn't sympathize more with your reaction to Andy's news,’ she began. ‘I feel exactly the same myself about Cat. Odd, isn't it? Of course, I can't help being prejudiced against the child because of my dislike for her mother.’
‘For Angela?’ Liv looked alert. ‘I know Mum never liked her. It seemed to be a family thing, didn't it? Was there a particular reason?’
‘Oh, yes,