A Family Scandal Read Free Page A

local, is it?’ He gazed around the lounge bar, all polished brass and dark wood. ‘I passed it by loads of times when we were doing the house up but never came in. See what we were missing out on.’
    ‘I’ll stick to bitter lemon,’ said Lily. She’d never been one for drinking – she’d had enough of that from her first husband who, if he wasn’t gambling away their rent money, was blowing it down the pub. ‘I like it in here. At least I’ll know where to find you from now on.’
    ‘I can’t keep away from you for long, you know that.’ Pete eyed his wife appreciatively. He was a lucky man and he knew it. He was under no illusions about his looks and yet he was married to a stunner. All those years of waiting had been worth it. He felt on top of the world. His own business, the most gorgeous woman in London and, just when he’d given up hope, a son of his very own who was the spitting image of him. A pity Bobby hadn’t inherited his mother’s head-turning looks in some ways; but Pete knew plenty of blokes who were far more handsome than him yet it hadn’t brought them happiness.

    No, when times were tough, Pete thought, it was all about character, that’s what got you through. That’s what had got him to where he was today. If anyone deserved a second pint it was him: he owned that whole house, and he’d fitted it out to keep his family safe. He pushed to the back of his mind the uncomfortable thought that it wasn’t exactly bought and paid for. He’d be able to meet the mortgage without a problem just as soon as the big construction project was confirmed, and it was well-nigh one hundred per cent certain that it would be. He was proud that his company was the front runner for it – who’d have thought a bricklayer like him could end up doing so well? No need to worry, and certainly no need to share that bit of information with Lily.
    Lily watched him, nursing her small glass in her hand. She didn’t want to admit how tired she was. Everyone said moving house was one of the most stressful things you could do, and God knew she’d had to do it often enough. This was different though: no more renting, getting by in substandard places with dodgy landlords and dodgier agents. They now had their very own place – and with Mavis safe above them, she could keep an eye on her beloved grandchildren too. Guiltily, Lily recalled how she hadn’t lavished love on Mavis when she’d been a child. She hadn’t been able to understand why her daughter had been so difficult and awkward, but nobody had heard of word blindness then. Now Lily intended to make up for it by devoting herself to James and Grace, and ensuring Bobby wanted for nothing. Blimey, fancy being a mother at her age. No wonder she was tired. She just didn’t have the energy to cope with a very active toddler and move house.

    ‘Here you go, girl.’ Pete put a glass of bitter lemon in front of her. The bright lights of the pub reflected in the cloudy liquid. ‘We might want to take our time over this. I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier. Maybe Mavis will be giving Tommy a tour of her new bedroom.’
    Lily eyed him above the rim of her raised glass. ‘No, Pete. I don’t think so.’ She sighed. ‘Mavis ain’t like me, not in that respect. Once bitten twice shy, that’s her problem, and as it was so hard fought, she doesn’t want to give up her independence.’
    ‘Yeah, I know, but Tommy won’t wait forever.’
    ‘Well nothing is going to happen at the moment, that’s for sure. Mavis is looking after the kids. Bobby will have gone to bed by now but James won’t and I bet Grace is playing up with her first night in her new room by herself.’
    ‘Ah, well.’ Pete settled on the red banquette beside her. He took a swig and got foam all over his top lip. ‘We’ll maybe make the most of our new privacy when we get home. I did those dividing walls extra careful. We won’t have neighbours with a glass to the wall this time