Page 51 of New Beginnings At Pencarrow Bay

Rory, bless him, stuck by Lindy’s side, helping her into the back seat of Ted’s Toyota.

Peggy insisted on coming too. She was worried about Ted being in the car, in case it sparked more crazy behaviour.

But no one spoke on the way down, Lindy hunched, silent, with her eyes closed.

It was only a short journey through the village.

The Jenks family lived up one of the particularly narrow, almost vertical lanes behind St Piran’s– named, with a wry nod to the bleeding obvious, Steep Hill .

Chris opened the door, pushing his frameless glasses up his nose, his lean tanned face– beneath a balding scalp and large ears that stuck out endearingly– showing concern.

He took Lindy’s hand and ushered her over the threshold, calling to his wife, Cara, a trained nurse in her forties whom Peggy had seen swimming in the bay with the other ladies in the flowered caps.

Taking Lindy’s arm without any questions, Lindy unusually compliant, Cara walked her away and out of sight.

‘We’ll take it from here,’ Chris told them.

As soon as she and Ted were safely in the car, Peggy let out a long, exhausted breath. She felt as if she’d been holding it since Lindy first attacked Felix. ‘What a nightmare,’ she said quietly, as they drove up the hill. ‘Should we tell Kim and Felix what’s happening?’

‘Chris said he would,’ Ted replied, his voice croaky as if he were choked up. ‘Christ. I feel terrible… and the worst fool,’ he added.

‘Let’s not do this now,’ she replied. ‘I’m so tired.’ Given the state they were both in, she was worried one of them would say the wrong thing and the delicate truce that had sprung up between them would be threatened.

Ted nodded. ‘Me too.’ He sounded relieved.

Liam was still up, lying back on the sofa, waiting for them. He had brought Bolt home and the dog was all over Ted as they came through the door.

Peggy flopped beside her son. ‘That was grim… Poor Lindy.’

‘Yeah…’ Liam looked over at Ted. ‘Pretty tricky for you too, I imagine.’

Ted, who was at the sink getting a glass of water, groaned softly, but said nothing.

For a moment there was silence.

Liam dragged himself up off the sofa. ‘I should get some sleep. I need to leave early, beat the traffic.’ He yawned and stretched his arms up towards the ceiling.

‘Listen, thanks for having me, you guys. I know I’ve been a pain at times, but I really appreciate your taking me in and giving me good food, sunshine, a change of scene…

time to think. I reckon I’m ready to face the music.

’ He gave Peggy a self-deprecating grin.

Looking at him, she realized he looked a lot better than he had when he’d arrived, hollow-eyed and washed out, a week ago. But she didn’t want him to go. Not yet.

‘I hate you leaving in the middle of all this chaos. Couldn’t you stay just one more night, sweetheart?

Give us a chance to relax a little, have a nice day together?

’ She didn’t look at Ted as she spoke, suspecting what his preference might be.

He remained silent, leaning against the counter sipping his water.

Liam gave her a smile. ‘Gotta go, Mum. Sorry. Sunday is Nisha’s thirtieth. I have to be bright-eyed and on my game.’

She nodded wearily. ‘No, of course. I understand.’

‘Plan to leave by six. So I’ll say goodbye to you now.’ He pulled a face. ‘Loathe goodbyes anyway.’

Peggy, already feeling bereft, wrapped him in her arms and hugged him close. ‘Love you. Come back soon. Bring Nisha, bring Danny…’ She bit her lip, not trusting her emotions. ‘It’s normally more peaceful here.’

‘Ha! Yes. Sleepy seaside paradise, eh?’ Liam said, with a chuckle. ‘Never witnessed so much drama in my whole life.’ He paused, eyeing her sympathetically. ‘I hope you sort things out, Mum. Remember what I said: call me any time.’

‘Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll be fine,’ she said, wondering if, in fact, she would be. Tonight had felt like an inevitable eruption. It had been building, building, hovering over them all for weeks now.

Liam strode over to Ted. Peggy saw him hesitate for a second, hand outstretched. Then he gave Ted a quick, fierce hug, which Ted returned, although neither spoke beyond a mumbled ‘Safe journey,’ from Ted.

Peggy, watching them, wished more of a connection had been established between them.

This visit– without the tensions, of course– might have been the perfect opportunity.

She kept thinking they would really get on if they dropped the froideur for long enough.

But maybe that’s my fantasy , she thought.

Just because she loved both men, she had to accept it didn’t follow that they would love each other.

After Liam had left the room, Ted looked at Peggy.

She thought she detected a question in his eyes, but she wasn’t sure exactly what he was asking of her.

Whatever it was, she hadn’t the strength to deal with it now.

She wanted to throw herself into his arms and feel again all his love and strength and safety.

But too many bruises remained for that. She almost wished these bruises didn’t have to be prodded.

If they weren’t, though, she worried their shadow might haunt her future with him.

Now she gave him a weary smile. He smiled back. ‘Tomorrow,’ he said.