The Girl Who Lied Page 9
Kerry picked up the hose and waited for the boy to come back into the garden. A movement caught Kerry’s eye and he squirted the hosepipe at the lad.
There was a scream and a curse.
A cheer went up from the guests in the garden.
‘Shit.’ Kerry dropped the hosepipe.
Standing in front of him wasn’t the lad, but Erin. Her clothes clung to her like she had entered a wet t-shirt competition. Water dripped from her hair. ‘Jesus, Erin. I’m so sorry,’ he said. He could hear Joe chortling in the background.
‘What the hell was that for?’ The man with Erin said.
Kerry noticed him for the first time. From the man’s accent, Kerry assumed that it was Erin’s English boyfriend. He wasn’t quite so wet, unfortunately. It seemed Erin had caught the full brunt of it.
‘Just messing around with the kids,’ said Kerry. ‘I didn’t realise you were there.’
Erin squeezed at her hair and pulled the t-shirt away from her body. It slapped back against her stomach.
‘So glad I came,’ she said, her face deadpan.
Bex appeared at her side. ‘Come on in, Erin,’ she said. ‘I’ll find you some dry clothes. Hi, you must be Ed. Erin said she was bringing you. I’m Bex. You’d better come in as well. I’ll get you a towel.’
The trio disappeared inside and Kerry returned to his beer. Joe was creasing up with laughter.
‘What a classic,’ he said. ‘Way to go, cuz!’
Some ten minutes later, Bex returned with Erin and Ed. Kerry couldn’t help doing a double-take. Erin had undergone some sort of transformation. Gone was the city slicker, with subtly expensive clothes and perfectly styled hair. Instead, was a country girl in a pair of Bex’s cropped denim shorts, a white gypsy top floated gracefully over her body and copper curls bounced off her shoulders.
Joe let out a low whistle. He gave his cousin a nudge.
‘I know,’ said Kerry. ‘What a difference a hosepipe can make.’
‘Now, that’s how I remember you,’ quipped Joe, as Erin approached them. ‘Curls galore. Curly Hurley.’
This remark earned him a thump on the arm from Bex, a glare from Erin and a muttering from Kerry to behave himself. Joe feigned innocence. ‘I was only saying.’
‘Well don’t,’ added Kerry, just to be sure Joe got the message.
‘Your hair is looking a bit wild and mad, thanks to someone,’ said Ed, throwing a cold glance towards Kerry. ‘Can’t you tie it back or something?’
‘Oh, I think it looks nice,’ said Bex, she flicked at her own long black-and-blue locks, a silent reminder that Erin wasn’t the only one with untamed hair.
‘Thanks, Bex,’ replied Erin. ‘Ed’s not a fan of the natural look, are you Ed?’
‘It’s not that. I prefer it straightened, that’s all.’
Kerry couldn’t resist joining in. ‘I’m all for the natural look myself.’ He offered a beer to Ed. ‘Don’t like anything contrived.’ Kerry was sure he heard Ed mutter something like ‘clearly’ under his breath, but he let it go. It was worth the smile Erin sent his way. ‘I’m Kerry, by the way, and this is my cousin, Joe. And you’ve met the lovely Bex already.’
Ed offered a tight smile. ‘I’m Ed Hamilton. Erin’s boyfriend,’ he said putting an arm around Erin’s shoulders and pulling her into him. Just then, Skip came trotting over and, with perfect timing, jumped up at Ed, his front paws resting on the cream-coloured chinos. Ed stepped back, brushing the little dog away with his hand. ‘Get off!’
‘Skip, come here, boy’ said Kerry, with less authority than he normally would.
‘Did you train him to do that?’ said Joe in his cousin’s ear.
‘No, but I think he gets an extra sausage off the barbecue for that,’ said Kerry. He called Skip again, this time with more conviction, and grabbing a sausage from the table, dropped it into the eagerly waiting dog’s mouth. ‘Sorry about that, Ed.’
Ed was brushing at two muddy paw prints on his trouser legs, muttering something derogatory about bloody dogs.
‘Now we’ve all met officially, let’s get down to business. Who’s hungry?’ said Bex, shifting the attention away from the incident. ‘Although I’m not sure what we’ve got left. I think there may be a couple of burgers going.’
‘Not for me, thanks,’ replied Ed as he regarded the barbecue. ‘I’m not really a burger sort of man.’
‘Why don’t you get the hamper from the car?’ suggested Erin.
‘Hamper?’ said Kerry.
‘Ed brought a hamper for a picnic. I forgot to tell him we were coming here,’ said Erin. ‘We might as well share it out now.’
Kerry suspected that Erin’s forgetfulness might have been engineered. He couldn’t for one minute think Ed would have agreed to come here of his own free will. Kerry watched, amused as Ed shifted slightly on his feet and gave Erin a disapproving look at the mention of the hamper.
‘I don’t know if it’s really the thing for a barbecue,’ said Ed.
‘Why ever not?’ said Erin.
‘You know, vol-au-vents, quiche, prawns – I’m not sure it goes with burgers and hot dogs.’
‘Oh, prawns and quiche, now that does sounds posh,’ said Joe. Kerry exchanged a look with him, only this time it wasn’t one of disapproval, quite the opposite. Sometimes it was handy having a cousin whose main hobby was winding everyone up. Joe carried on. ‘Perhaps you could educate us on the finer points of al-fresco dining.’
‘Just go and get it,’ said Erin, her tone of voice betraying the smile she tacked on. A slight pause and another look passed between the two of them, but Ed conceded and ever so slightly stomped off to the car.
‘He’s a bit precious, isn’t he? Aptly named, though, don’t you think?’ commented Joe under his breath. Kerry looked at his cousin questioningly. Joe nodded in the direction of Ed. ‘You know. Ed. As in Dick-Ed.’
For a couple of hours the barbecue passed without incident. Kerry took it upon himself to chat to Ed and find out as much about him as possible. Apart from working out and running, Ed liked to play squash, frequent high-class restaurants in the Covent Garden area and holiday abroad at all-inclusive resorts. Kerry also learned Ed was the manager of a health and fitness centre and Erin’s boss.
‘I was her saviour,’ said Ed, looking very proud of himself. ‘She was working in a beautician’s concession at a local department store when I came in to buy a present for my mother. Erin helped me select some beauty products. I was very impressed with her service and knew she was wasting her time there. When a position came up at my place, I offered her the job. And the rest, as they say, is history.’ Ed leaned over and patted Erin’s knee. ‘Once she started working for me, she simply couldn’t resist me. Could you, darling?’
‘Modest as always,’ said Erin with a laugh. The smile looked a little false and Kerry was sure, as she dropped her gaze, there was a trace of embarrassment there.
Kerry’s questioning was brought to a halt as some of the guests came over to say goodbye and he wandered out with his cousin Shane and Shane’s family, who were also leaving. Joe appeared by his side as they waved to his nephew and nieces drawing away in the people carrier with Shane at the wheel.
‘You and Dick-Ed seem to be getting on like a house on fire,’ said Joe, poking his tongue out to his nephew, who was pulling a face through the back window of the departing vehicle.
‘Just being friendly,’ responded Kerry, turning to head back towards the garden.
‘Yeah, right. Just checking out the competition, more like.’
They sat back down in the gazebo and as Kerry was about to start his second round of interrogation, Joe gave him a nudge in the ribs. ‘Stand by your beds. Here comes trouble.’
‘Hello everyone,’ Roisin smiled, as she reached the gazebo. ‘Hi, Bex, I just came to say congratulations.’ She bent down to give Bex a hug and handed over a small gift-wrapped present, then proceeded to give Joe a hug too. She looked round for somewhere to sit.
‘Thank you. I can tell you’re not a local, you’ve actually got some manners,’ said Roisin as she sat down next to Erin. ‘Hello, Erin, didn’t expect to see you here.’
‘Likewise,’ said Erin.
Roisin was pleased to see an uneasy look cross Erin’s face. She was going to enjoy this.
‘So is anyone going to introduce me?’ said Roisin, looking up at the Englishman as he brought over a plastic patio chair.
Erin made the introductions as he sat down.
‘Ed Hamilton,’ said Erin. ‘Roisin Marshall.’
‘So are you one of Erin’s old school friends?’ said Ed.
‘That’s right, we go back a long way, don’t we, Erin?’
‘Pleased to meet you,’ said Ed, leaning over and shaking Roisin’s hand. ‘I would say Erin’s never mentioned you before, but it wouldn’t make any difference. She’s never mentioned any of her old friends before.’
‘Wonder why that is?’ Roisin raised her eyebrows. ‘Erin’s got her reasons, no doubt.’
Roisin allowed a moment’s uncomfortable silence to settle. Erin was playing right into her hands and making this very easy for her. Roisin turned back to Ed. ‘So where’s she been hiding you away all this time? Do you live in London too?’
‘Yes. Fulham.’
‘Live together, do you?’
‘No, not yet. Although…’ Ed looked encouragingly at Erin.
Erin looked like a startled doe, as her eyes shot open, seemingly surprised by Ed’s inference.
‘Oh dear, Erin, don’t look so scared,’ said Roisin. She gave a little laugh. ‘Ed can’t be that bad, well, at least he doesn’t seem so from where I’m sitting.’
‘Would you like a glass of wine?’ said Bex. ‘Something to eat?’
‘Oh, that’s kind of you,’ said Roisin, aware Bex was trying to change the subject. ‘I really don’t want to intrude, but if you’re sure, a glass of wine would be perfect.’
Joe got up and poured Roisin a drink.
‘Thank you, Joe,’ said Roisin, ignoring the warning look he sent her way. She settled back in her seat. ‘This is nice. A real family get-together.’
Storm came running up to his mother, hopping from one leg to the other. ‘Need a wee wee.’
‘Daddy will take you,’ said Bex.
‘No, don’t want Daddy. Mummy take me.’
‘Okay, then,’ Bex got up, cradling the baby in her arms. ‘Who wants a cuddle?’
‘Oh, can I?’ Roisin placed her glass on the ground and, standing up, took the tiny baby from Bex. ‘She’s so beautiful. Aren’t you Breeze? You’re beautiful. Don’t you think so, Erin?’
Erin nodded. ‘Yes, she’s lovely.’
Ed let out a laugh. ‘She must be lovely for Erin to say so.’
‘Why’s that?’ said Roisin, not missing an opportunity to undermine Erin. She took a sneak look round at the rest of the group. Kerry was immediately distracted from his conversation with Joe and was watching for Erin’s reply.
‘Erin’s not really the maternal type, are you darling?’
‘You’ve changed, then,’ said Roisin, delighted with the way the conversation was going. ‘I thought when we were teenagers a baby was what you wanted.’
Ed laughed again. ‘I can’t imagine that, never in a million years. Show Erin a baby and she runs a mile.’
‘All right, Ed.’ Erin’s voice had a menace to it. If words were actions, those three would have walked right up to Ed and clamped themselves over his mouth.
‘Sorry, didn’t mean to upset you.’ Roisin carried Breeze over to Erin. ‘Here, have a cuddle. You can prove us all wrong, then.’ Roisin smiled as she locked eyes with Erin. She could tell Erin wasn’t happy about this at all. Erin hesitated slightly, glancing around the group before putting her glass down and taking hold of the baby.
She certainly looked awkward as she crooked her arm to support Breeze’s head and placed her other hand under the baby’s little legs. Shoulders hunched up, her whole body totally tense, Erin looked ill at ease with her precious cargo. To make matters worse, Breeze decided now was the time to begin to wriggle and, when finding no comfort from the staccato rocking offered by Erin, began to protest vigorously. More faltering swaying, the uneasiness radiated from Erin. Roisin couldn’t be more pleased with how it was going.
Kerry jumped to his feet.
‘My turn,’ he said, going over to Erin and confidently taking charge of his cousin’s baby. With ease, he rested Breeze at his shoulder and, gently patting her back, he returned to his seat. Almost immediately the baby’s crying abated.
‘You’ve got the touch,’ said Roisin, disappointed, and then turned to Erin. ‘He’ll make a fantastic dad one day. Some people were just meant to be parents.’
The reappearance of Bex and Storm gives me the chance to excuse myself and make for the bathroom. Once safely behind the locked door, only then do I let my composure fall and, leaning back against the wall, I close my eyes. Every nerve in my body is tingling and my heart throbs against my breastbone. It’s been a long time since I held a small baby. In fact, it was when Sophie was born. The effect today was the same as it was then: overwhelming.
A gentle tap at the door brings me from my thoughts.
‘Erin? You okay?’ It’s Kerry.
‘I won’t be a moment,’ I call, attempting to sound cheery. I check myself in the mirror, flush the toilet for good measure and wait a minute before letting myself out of the bathroom. I smile at Kerry, who is standing across the landing, leaning against the slope of the dormer window, his hands in his pockets.
‘I didn’t ask you to hurry up,’ he says gently. ‘I asked if you were okay.’
The concern in his voice is apparent and for a second I’m uncertain if I can answer. I broaden my smile. ‘Me? I’m fine. Whatever made you think I wasn’t?’
‘Roisin and Ed.’ Kerry fixes me with his grey eyes, his voice is soft.
It’s almost too much for me. A thread of sympathy and I can feel my composure unravelling. It only takes one stride and he is in front of me, his strong arms around me as he pulls me into him. I take in the smell of his aftershave, a spicy mixture, tinged slightly with cigarette smoke, which oddly enough I don’t find offensive. He drops a kiss on the top of my head and I can feel his fingers entwining with my hair.
I pull away. ‘We’d better get back to the party. People will wonder where we are.’
*
‘That was interesting,’ says Ed, exhaling loudly, as he slowly steers the hire car along Corkscrew Lane, avoiding the potholes where possible.
‘What do you mean?’
‘I didn’t expect to be hanging out with a load of hippy bikers this afternoon.’
‘They’re not hippy bikers. Well, maybe a bit, but it doesn’t matter, they’re all very nice.’ Even Joe had been quite pleasant, I reflect, if you didn’t count the Curly Hurley jibe. After that, much as it pains me to admit, I couldn’t really fault him.
‘Yeah, nice but a bit, well, you know …’ says Ed.
I feel myself bristle. ‘Actually, I don’t know.’
‘You know…not very sophisticated. Country bumpkins. Bex with her mad hair and nose piercing, I half expected her to get out a guitar and start singing ‘Kumbaya’. Then Joe and Kerry with their scruffy hair, frayed and faded jeans, t-shirts and tattoos. Can’t quite see them at Jones’ Wine Bar. Can you?’
I have to admit, I can’t see any of the Wrights in the wine bar that Ed and I frequent but, then again, I can’t actually imagine they would want to. ‘They’re just different,’ I say. ‘Anyway, you’ll have to get used to them, Bex has invited us to the naming ceremony in a few weeks.’
‘What? A naming ceremony? What’s wrong with a traditional Christening?’ Ed shakes his head as he steers the car out of
the lane and onto the High Street. ‘Please don’t say you’ve accepted.’
I haven’t actually said yes for definite, but Ed is annoying me now. He’s been nothing short of pompous this afternoon. Showing off at every opportunity and being patronising towards me. He gets like that when we’re in a crowd. It will serve him right if I make him go to the naming ceremony. You never know, he might stop being so dismissive of my friends if he got to know them properly. My friends, I note the reference and acknowledge subconsciously I am already thinking of them in this way. Ed is waiting for me to reply. ‘Unlucky,’ I say. ‘I’ve accepted on behalf of us both.’
‘For fuck’s sake, Erin.’ His eyebrows dart together in irritation. ‘Why did you go and do that?’
‘Because I would like to go. It will be nice.’
‘The sooner you come back to London and civilisation, the better. Next they’ll be brainwashing you, and before you know it, you’ll be dressing in a floral smock, running around bare-foot with daisies in your hair. Speaking of which…,’ he flicks at my curls, ‘you really need to get the straighteners out.’
Chapter 11
Teenage Kicks
Two months before leaving
I don’t go to school the next day. I wake up feeling very sick. I clearly drank too much last night. Niall got some cider from the locally offy and we went and sat down on the beach. We went to the far end, where there are sand dunes and made ourselves a small fire to keep warm. We huddled under the blanket, drank the cider and ate leftover sandwiches from the café Dad let me take. We made love on the sand under the stars. It was very romantic. We stayed until the fire burnt out and we had no more driftwood to put on. It was very late. but I didn’t care. I was with Niall and that was all that mattered.
Now, the morning after, I’m beginning to think it wasn’t quite so romantic after all. The nausea notches up a gear and I rush to the bathroom. I retch but only some sickly sort of bile comes up. It tastes disgusting. All metallic. Yuk.