Love & The Goddess Read Free Page A

have every right to be angry, Julie, but a part of me will always love your mother. I think she is the most wonderful woman I ever met. You were born out
of love and nothing will ever change that.”
    “You love me …?” I was on the point of blurting out more, but thankfully stopped. A voice inside my head was telling me to hold still. Getting over-emotional could cause me to
lose control and make a fool of myself. I wanted to be calm for my daughter’s sake. Julie didn’t seem to notice my tone; her eyes remained fixed on her father. “Well, don’t
expect me to give you a blessing. For an intelligent man you’re a self-centred idiot. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to finish packing.” She moved away abruptly.
    I said, “I have the big black case laid out for you, Julie. I’ve added everything you put on the list. All you have to do is finish up. The kettle’s on for tea and there are
sandwiches and scones in the fridge.”
    “Thanks, Mum.” She closed the door firmly behind her. Her footsteps faded down the marble tiles of the hall to the kitchen.
    I turned on him. “Why didn’t you tell her about Martha?”
    He avoided my eyes. “The words just wouldn’t come out. I knew this would be deeply upsetting for her.” He paused nervously. “I want to thank you for not labouring the
fact that I am the one to blame. I appreciate that you didn’t point the finger at me, Kate.”
    “Good. I’m delighted you can appreciate something about me after twenty-three years together.” As I spoke, his head was turning in the direction of the Goddess picture. His
face assumed a look of incredulity before filling with grave concern. He was obviously worried about the whereabouts of the hunting scene. For a moment, I wondered what he’d say if I told him
I’d slashed it and thrown it out with the rubbish. I waited. He could choose to ask me directly or sweat it out until he came across it at the back of the wardrobe in the spare room.
    “Kate?”
    “Yes? What?”
    “I don’t want you to think I’m suggesting anything to you, but should you ever wish to live in Galway city, I’d have no hesitation giving you the apartment. You’ve
always loved it.”
    Live in the apartment? It took me a moment to register what he was saying – he was expecting me to leave the house? I took a deep breath. “Well, thank you, Trevor. That may come in
handy for the odd weekend. Yes, I think I could avail of that.” Judging by his expression, his offer hadn’t been received in the manner which he’d intended. I wasn’t going
to give up my home that easily.
    There wasn’t much time to spare before Julie had to leave. Trevor waited in the car while we said our goodbyes. Julie threw her arms around me and kissed me. “Look after yourself,
Mum. I can’t believe he fell for her when you are so much better in every way.”
    “I know Julie. Don’t worry about me. I love you. Be gentle with yourself and eat well, won’t you?” She’d always seemed so capable, but I knew she could be hard on
herself. I worried about her going it alone in a strange city after finding out her parents had separated, but the decision had been made months ago.
    “Yes, Mum.” She was smiling. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Look after yourself.”
    But as she sat into the car beside Trevor, she was obviously struggling to hold back the tears. Trevor was fussing over her, checking the seat was in the right position, that she was
comfortable. It reminded me of the early days of our dating, when he used to call me ‘Princess’. I felt a strange tinge of jealousy that he would never again regard me as special.
     

     
    I knew it was only a matter of time before the whole village would be talking about the doctor ditching his wife for a younger model. Rumours must be spreading like wildfire
with, I was sure, bits and bobs embellished as they went from person to person.
    I tried to live like a hermit by parking my car around the back