The Stepmother(15)

 

‘Not this type of party though. She likes a bit more – glamour. I guess this must be your influence, then, er – Jenny,’ Alison says. Why can’t I read her tone? ‘The fancy dress?’

 

‘Jeanie,’ I mumble. ‘It’s Jeanie actually.’

 

‘Sorry.’ She smiles now. ‘I’m terrible with names. And it’s hard when I was so used to Matthew and Kaye. So sudden…’

 

Scarlett’s lower lip trembles again.

 

‘Oh, pet.’ Alison pats her. ‘Don’t get upset. How’s Daisy by the way? So awful. Is she any better now?’

 

Scarlett lets out a stifled sort of sob, and then Alison looks really worried.

 

I think I remember hearing about Daisy – a pet dog who died recently.

 

‘Scarlett,’ I begin rather hopelessly, and then suddenly Matthew is by my side, thank God. Scarlett wipes her nose on the back of her shiny blue sleeve, reminding me how young she really is.

 

‘Matthew,’ Alison says coolly, offering a cheek to be kissed.

 

‘Alison.’ Matthew obliges. ‘No Sean tonight then?’

 

‘He’s in Dubai. On business.’

 

‘Really?’ Matthew is equally cool. ‘Strange time of year to leave you alone.’

 

‘Yes, well. He’s very busy.’ It is Alison’s turn to go pink. ‘And not all men aren’t to be trusted.’

 

‘I wasn’t suggesting you shouldn’t trust him, Alison. Please send him my best. I have to say, it was really him I was hoping to see tonight.’ Matthew smiles. ‘To talk business, I mean, of course.’

 

‘Of course.’ Alison manages a tight little smile herself.

 

‘Now, if you’ll excuse me’—Matthew puts an arm around both mine and Scarlett’s shoulders—‘I’m stealing my girls away. I’ve got a toast to make in a bit. Where’s Luke?’

 

‘Dancing with that stupid Joe.’ Scarlett scowls and slinks off to refill her glass – with the non-alcoholic punch I hope. Judging by the smell of whisky wafting around her, I am pretty sure she’s been at something stronger. I should tell Matthew. But if I do, how is that going to help things between me and her?

 

So I keep quiet.

 

Matthew guides me through the throng, past Luke and his schoolmates. We wave at them as a portly man with suspiciously black hair and too many ruffles for his fat cheeks greets Matthew cheerily.

 

‘Good do, King. Great vino. Fucking uncomfortable costume though.’ The man runs a fat finger round his sweaty neckband. ‘Only wore it cos the missus said I’d be rewarded later if I did, eh?’ He gives a horrible wink. ‘Fancy the shooting range soon?’

 

‘Perhaps.’ Matthew grins. ‘If my lovely wife will spare me for an hour. This is Detective Chief Inspector Peters, Jeanie, otherwise known as Kipper.’

 

‘Don’t ask.’ Sweaty Kipper winks lasciviously and I smile back.

 

‘I wasn’t going to,’ I assure him. Shooting? Did Matthew really think that was fun?

 

‘Good to see the kids doing so well. Enchanted, my dear.’ He bows over my hand, and I blush.

 

‘Nice to meet you, er – Kipper.’

 

They chat about clay-pigeon distances, while I watch Scarlett move over to the decks, loitering by Frankie and George. Frank gives her half a polite smile and carries on chatting. Still, she lingers there, staring into the crowd, sucking an ice cube provocatively as Frank puts on a remix of Little Richard’s ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’.

 

‘So was she being vile?’ Matthew kisses my forehead as Kipper is whisked away to do the twist by his tiny wife.

 

‘Who?’ I ask, surprised. He’s never acknowledged Scarlett’s behaviour before, but it’d be a relief, actually, if we could discuss it…

 

‘Old Ali Baba!’ Matt shakes his head. ‘She seems to be getting worse in her middle age, I’m afraid. A bit… bitter.’

 

‘Well she was a bit – unfriendly maybe. Who is she?’

 

‘Alison? Scarlett’s godmother unfortunately. Old school friend of Kaye’s.’

 

‘Oh I see. Of Kaye’s.’ Even saying her name makes me feel a bit funny. My warm glow of earlier has dissipated.

 

‘Husband Sean’s a decent bloke though. It was him I was hoping to see actually.’ Distractedly Matthew checks the time. ‘Whizz with figures. I wanted to tap him up about some stocks someone’s selling. Fancy a spin round the dance floor?’

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Some time later, when Matthew goes to sort out the fireworks, I notice Alison intercepting him by the patio doors. I don’t have my glasses on, so I can’t make out the conversation, which is animated. When I look for her later, she’s gone.