Never Mind The Botox: Rachel Read Free Page B

week been, Mum? Any gossip from the shop?’
    The local charity shop was her mum’s lifeline. She had stayed at home the whole time Rachel and Rowan had been children, dedicating herself to looking after the family. She was naturally a shy person and working mornings in the shop was the one thing that managed to bring her out of herself.
    ‘Well, we’ve had such a busy week,’ Rachel’s mum said. ‘We were given several large bags of clothes last weekend, really good quality things. We think someone must have died − sad really. Anyway, it took us ages to sort and price them. Then on Wednesday this young girl came in looking for things for a seventies fancy dress party and she was raving about the new clothes. She phoned some of her friends who were going to the same party and before we knew it the shop was packed. We sold more clothes that afternoon than we’d normally sell in two weeks! Plus we got a donation of plants left over from the local school fête and they did really well too. Grace and I were rushed off our feet. Still, all in a good cause.’
    Rachel found it hard to believe that her mum knew what being rushed off your feet meant and began to wonder why she’d come home. Why was it that the thought of being home was always much nicer than the reality? It had been the same pattern since university days. She put up with truckloads of banal conversation in return for getting her washing done and a Sunday roast.
    Rachel looked around. ‘What time are Laura and Naomi arriving?’
    ‘Oh, they’re not coming,’ said Rowan. ‘Naomi is waking up a bit early at the moment, which Laura is trying desperately to sort out. She thought moving her about might set her back a bit. They’ll come next time.’
    Rachel knew how disappointed her mum would have been when she found out.
    Rowan seemed to read her mind. ‘It’s no reflection on you, Mum, honestly,’ said Rowan. ‘It’s just the way the timings worked out. Laura normally would have loved to come.’
    Rachel’s eyes gleamed. Her brother on his own for the weekend. It had been ages!
    ‘Shall we pop to the pub after supper?’ Rachel suggested.
    ‘Good idea,’ said Rowan, trying to hide the relief in his voice.
    After they’d eaten, Rachel and Rowan headed off to the local pub.
    ‘God, what are they like!’ said Rachel.
    ‘They mean well,’ said Rowan. ‘We’ll probably be just like them one day.’
    ‘What an awful thought! Do you think we’ll see anyone from school at the pub?’ Rachel asked, keen to get away from the idea of turning into her mother.
    ‘Probably,’ said Rowan. ‘Loads of them still live and work round here.’
    The local was a traditional style pub with low-beamed ceilings that worked hard to make itself look more olde worlde than it really was − brass plates by the fire, the odd scythe stuck on the wall and a series of big fireplaces. Rachel bought them a bottle of wine and brought it over to the quiet corner of the pub that Rowan had chosen.
    ‘Not the greatest but at least it’s cold,’ said Rachel. She poured them both a large glass. ‘Cheers. How is Laura? Shame she’s not here.’
    ‘She’s fine,’ said Rowan, but Rachel could tell from his voice that she wasn’t. ‘Actually, we’re having a bit of a tough time. The last few months since Naomi was born have been pretty stressful − not like I’d imagined it at all. Laura’s been so uptight and I can’t seem to get anything right. If Naomi is crying, anything I suggest is bound to be wrong. I know Laura’s tired but she won’t let me give her a break. She’s convinced herself that she’s the only one who can look after Naomi properly. This whole waking up early thing is just another example; she’s completely neurotic about it.’
    ‘You’re a great dad and I’m sure it will blow over,’ said Rachel, aware that her ability to give advice in this area was not the best.
    Rowan didn’t seem to hear her and carried on. ‘The other morning, I