Another Night, Another Day Read Online Free PDF Page B

completely.
    ‘That’s tough for you.’
    ‘Actually, I think it’s worse for Mum than it is for Dad. He can’t remember what he’s lost, whereas she’s acutely aware.’
    Lou nods. ‘So where’s she living?’
    ‘Goring. She’s renting a flat to be near him.’
    ‘I like that stretch of beach – it’s great for water sports.’
    Before she was pregnant, Lou was extremely active. I bet she’s fitter than me even now, thinks Karen. Look at her, going to Pilates. ‘I can’t really see Mum windsurfing.’
Karen laughs at the thought.
    ‘I guess not.’
    ‘She’s had to leave all her friends, too.’
    ‘Though I’d have thought she’d find kindred spirits in Goring?’
    ‘You’re right – it’s full of retired folk, and she’s making a real effort. Still, it must be so hard starting again at seventy-five. I’ve found it tough
coping without Simon and I haven’t had to move hundreds of miles. She didn’t know anyone but us round here when she came, so I try to see her as much as I can.’
    ‘Sounds like a brave lady,’ says Lou.
    ‘She is.’
    ‘Reminds me of someone else I know.’
    Karen brushes the compliment aside. ‘I do worry. The flat she’s in is tiny.’ She pictures the basement flat: with its pink woodchip wallpaper and narrow single bed, turquoise
bathroom suite and poorly fitted kitchen, it’s a far cry from the big, bright villa her parents owned in the hills near Faro.
    ‘Oh dear.’
    ‘Along with the fees for the care home, she can’t afford much.’
    ‘That’s awful. Your poor mum.’
    ‘Tell me about it. Mum’s having to spend the money they made selling the house on Dad. Heaven knows what she’ll do if that runs out. I suppose we’ll have to have her
here.’
    ‘God, are you sure?’
    ‘The kids would love it. She came to stay over Christmas and she is great with them.’ Karen pauses, recalling how on top of one another they were. Then she adds, ‘It was nice
having her,’ as much to convince herself as her friend.
    ‘Never mind Molly and Luke, how about you? Crikey, I could never live with my mother again.’ Lou grimaces at the suggestion.
    But Mum and I get on well, Karen tells herself. Still, it’s not how she envisaged spending her forties: herself a widow, living with her mother.
    ‘It would be fine,’ she says, turning to take the pan off the heat and thus avoid Lou’s gaze.
    Just then Molly comes back into the room. ‘Mummy, I’m hungry.’
    ‘Yes, Molly, it’s coming!’ Karen snaps. At once she feels bad; it’s not Molly’s fault. Lou must think she’s a dreadful mother.
    ‘Er . . . Karen, something’s burning,’ says Lou. Smoke is billowing from the toaster on the adjacent worktop.
    ‘Oh no!’ She rushes to press the eject button, but it’s too late: both slices of bread are charred and inedible. ‘I’m sorry, Molly. We’ll have to start again.
It won’t be long, I promise.’ Tears prick behind Karen’s eyes.
    ‘I’m really hungry . . .’ Molly’s bottom lip begins to tremble.
    Dear me, thinks Karen, checking the clock. It’s way past when she normally eats. I should have seen this coming.
    Lou gets to her feet. ‘You sit down. I’ll do it.’
    ‘You mustn’t.’
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I’m pregnant, not ill. I’m quite capable.’
    And I’m not capable at all, thinks Karen sorrowfully. What’s got into me that I can’t make a couple of pieces of toast?
    ‘Thanks,’ she murmurs, taking a seat.
    At once she is overwhelmed with exhaustion. Maybe it’s going up and down to the loft so many times, or the distress of seeing Molly off to school and talking about her mum and dad, she
isn’t sure. But if someone were to say she could go to bed for the rest of the day, she feels she could sleep till next Christmas.

5
    Eva has been gone ten minutes before Abby remembers they haven’t done the weekly grocery shop. Having the estate agent round at short notice has thrown her off
kilter.
    ‘Damn,’ she says