The Way We Were_ A Novel - Marcia Willett [99]
‘But why?’
Julia shrugs. ‘Tiggy assumed that it was because Angela hated me and her hatred extended to Tiggy as my friend.’ She remembers what Aunt Em said. ‘I let her get away with it all for too long. I was afraid, I suppose, that her sly little hints and allusions might have some basis of truth in them. You always behaved as if she had rights over you. She implied once that Cat might be your child.’
‘You couldn't believe such rubbish. For God's sake, Julia.’
‘That's the whole trouble. Angela's clever. She manipulates people and works on their fear. I've hated you sometimes when you've been all over her at some party or Ladies’ Night and she looks so triumphant and then she comes here a week or so later and drops her little poisonous hints.’
Pete looks so shaken that Julia feels a wave of sympathy for him, yet she holds firm for she knows that she's been given her chance at last; it is the opportunity to be free of Angela's influence for ever. She crosses her arms so as to stop herself reaching out to him.
‘You should have said something,’ he mutters.
‘I did say something,’ she cries. ‘You know I did. Often. You just laughed it off.’
‘Women are such bitches,’ he says. ‘Oh, I don't mean you, darling. But honestly …’ He shakes his head. ‘It was nothing. Just a silly jokey habit we'd got into. And, like I said before, I suppose my vanity was tickled. I thought you were just being oversensitive. I still can't believe she made me go out for the books so as to start a rumour but I did wonder why she made such a song and dance about them. And she hung about on the doorstep keeping me in silly conversation.’ He colours, looking uncomfortable, remembering her overaffectionate farewell hug. And to say that to Tiggy! I wonder who else she said it to. Good grief, the woman's crazy!’
‘Tiggy thought she was mad,’ says Julia. Suddenly she relaxes. It is clear from Pete's reaction that none of her fear has been justified and that Aunt Em is right: she's allowed that fear to colour her imagination and feed her suspicions. Now, Pete has been given an insight into the results of his readiness to go along with Angela's behaviour and Julia knows with a deep conviction that Angela's hold over him has been dissipated. ‘It's OK,’ she says. ‘I had to get it out of my system, that's all. From now on I shall be able to handle her.’
‘From now on I hope you won't have to,’ he says grimly. ‘Sorry, love.’ He holds out his hands again and this time she responds.
She goes into his arms and hugs him tightly. He kisses her, drawing her closer, slipping his hands beneath her jersey. Neither of them hear the footsteps come pattering down the stairs and into the room.
‘That's what they call a lip-lock,’ says Andy, observing them closely and with great satisfaction. ‘Daddy woke me up when he had his bath, Mummy, and now I can't get back to sleep. I could hear you arguing. I hate it when you argue. Why do you?’
‘For the same reasons that you and Liv argue,’ answers Julia, freeing herself reluctantly. ‘And Daddy and I hate that too.’
Andy made a face. ‘OK,’ he concedes. ‘Will you read me a story?’
Julia grins at Pete's frustrated expression. ‘Daddy will read one very short story while I get his supper ready’ she says. ‘Your penance,’ she whispers in Pete's ear, and gives him a quick kiss. ‘Don't forget where we'd got to, though.’
Pete sits down on the sofa and pulls Andy down beside him. ‘I see you've come prepared,’ he says resignedly, taking the book. ‘What is it? Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. OK. Five minutes and that's it and no arguing.’
‘OK,’ Andy says again, settling himself comfortably.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
2004
‘I remembered something last night,’ Julia told Aunt Em next morning on their way to Tavistock. All that summer of nineteen seventy-six the little Merlin was out in the tent. The twins took it out to stand on their little table to make it seem more like home. Do you remember? When the weather broke I put it into a box with all the other bits they'd had out there and carried it into