‘No!’ Ellie stood abruptly, tears pricking at her eyes. ‘I loved these books. These books were my friends when you never bothered to spend any time with me. When you hated me.’
‘I never hated you.’
‘Yes, you did. You hated the fact I got all Mum’s attention when I was small. That my illness took her away from you.’
‘You’re wrong—’
‘It was obvious! And you weren’t even that bothered by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. When I tried to tell you I’d read it, you just said you’d read it when you were six!’
Abby looked chastised. ‘Yes, I might have said that but . . .’ She took a deep breath. Maybe now was the time. Maybe she should speak up. ‘Ellie, there’s something you need to understand—’
‘What, that you’re always trying to stab me in the back?’
‘There’ll be no stabbing while I’m here, thank you very much.’ A woman’s voice cut through the argument.
Abby spun around. Her mouth dropped as she saw the familiar slight frame, the cropped blonde wavy hair framing the petite face. ‘You’re not supposed to be here until Wednesday!’
‘Charmed, I’m sure,’ said Susanna. ‘And I’m very happy to see you too, dear daughter.’
SIX
‘Oh my word, look at this terrace! It’s sublime!’ Susanna was breathless with delight as she gazed out across the sun-bleached flagstones, the olive and lemon trees, the large wooden table under a pagoda that was bursting with semi-ripe vines.
Abby watched her with an element of suspicion. She was unused to approval from her mother.
‘And the view! My God, it’s like gazing out onto heaven itself.’ Her face was enraptured and she pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head. ‘You’ve done so well. Clever, clever girl to find all this.’
Her mother turned and smiled at her, waiting for a response, but Abby deliberately didn’t meet her gaze. She sensed her mother’s hurt, felt her falter and, out of the corner of her eye, saw Susanna turn back to the view, embarrassed by her daughter’s snub.
Ellie was sitting away from them, alone in a small wicker chair, sipping silently at a glass of wine. Her face gave nothing away but Abby knew she was still fuming. She also knew their mother’s lavish praise of the house was fuelling Ellie’s jealousy.
Matteo appeared from inside and handed a glass of wine to his mother-in-law.
‘And this husband,’ said Susanna. ‘He’s entirely wonderful.’
‘Salute!’ said Matteo, clinking her glass with his own.
‘It’s so great to meet you at last.’
Abby watched as Matteo, knowing she hadn’t wanted to invite Susanna to their wedding, took it all in his stride. Except he still doesn’t know the real reason why I didn’t want Mum here, she thought.
‘And you’re a policeman, you say? Must be very reassuring for Abby. To think, she had no expectations on that singles’ holiday, and she was right. But in the end it was lucky that she got mugged, otherwise you two would never have met.’
Abby stiffened and immediately saw her sister sit up in surprise. It hadn’t been something she’d talked to Ellie about. When it had happened, a year ago now, Ellie had been away on some long-haul trip, and by the time she’d come back, Abby had buried it.
‘The main thing is she was OK,’ said Matteo.
‘I know. I was beside myself when I heard about it.’
‘I need to start dinner,’ said Abby, turning away.
‘I’ll help,’ piped up Susanna, following her back inside to the kitchen. ‘What can I do?’ she asked brightly.
‘Start chopping the salad,’ said Abby, pointing at the pile of vegetables on the side.
Abby busied herself with the pasta and they worked in silence for a while. Abby knew her mother had offered to help as she wanted to talk privately, but was obviously taking her time, avoiding the elephant in the room. Abby sliced an onion, fried it in the pan and added herbs, garlic and tomatoes, all the while her irritation building. Her mother wasn’t even supposed to be here yet. This was meant to be time for just her and Ellie.
After her impromptu invitation, Abby had wanted to write again to retract it but it was too late: Ellie emailed to say she’d booked the flights. Then her mother had got wind of Ellie’s trip and had invited herself along too. It was impossible to say no, but Abby knew what it was like when the two of them were together, knew she’d be the third wheel, and so specifically and clearly asked her mother to come two days later.
‘I know why you’ve come here early,’ Abby suddenly said, unable to take the silence anymore.
Susanna smiled. ‘You always were a know-all, that was your problem. But in fact, I just came early as I really wanted to see my girls. Although, judging by the argument when I arrived, I’m not too sure how you’re getting on. Surely you’ve buried the hatchet by now? You just have to accept that you’re two very different people and learn to get along.’
‘We’re getting on just fine,’ said Abby through gritted teeth. Outside they could hear Ellie laughing, seemingly brought out of her slump by Matteo. Abby stopped chopping to listen. Ellie’s laugh grated on her nerves. What is she doing? Always so flirty, getting men eating out of her hand.
‘Well, they certainly seem to be,’ said Susanna, cocking her head and smiling with approval.
Abby stopped still. She flashed a look to her mother but Susanna, slicing up tomatoes, didn’t notice.
‘You could be nicer to her, you know,’ said Susanna. She turned to face Abby. ‘I’m sorry for what happened when she was young. For not spending enough time with you. I feel like I’m responsible for your relationship now.’
Abby’s mouth dropped open in utter astonishment. Her mother was apologizing? It was far too little, too late. She furiously stirred the pasta on the hob.
‘Are you going to tell her?’ asked Abby, a brittle edge to her voice.
‘Tell who?’ Ellie walked into the kitchen, empty glass in hand.
Abby spun around, heart racing. Neither she nor Susanna said a word.
‘What’s going on?’ asked Ellie, a puzzled frown appearing on her face.
Abby’s voice felt strangled in her throat – should she speak up? ‘We thought it would be nice to go to the beach tomorrow,’ she said. ‘Maybe get some lunch there.’
‘Yes, it would be lovely to explore,’ said Susanna. ‘What do you think?’
Ellie was watching them both strangely but then nodded. ‘Sure, why not?’
There was a moment’s silence, then Abby smiled. ‘Great!’ she said. ‘I’ll just go and set the table. Will you serve up, Mum?’
Susanna nodded and Abby left the room.
After she’d gone, Susanna exchanged a look with her other daughter. She shrugged and smiled reassuringly, putting on her best ‘it’s Abby, you know what she can be like’ face.
‘You want a hand?’ asked Ellie.
‘It’s fine, darling. You go and take a seat and I’ll bring it out in a minute.’
Susanna waited until her daughter had left, then exhaled deeply. It wasn’t enough. She breathed in again. In, out. In, out. In. Out. Finally, when she had composed herself, she turned her attention to the dinner.