The Friends We Keep(108)

There was a pause before Jack spoke. “Maggie said I could stay at the house for a bit.”

Evvie stared at him. “Why would she do that?”

“Because she wants me to know about my family. I want to know about my family. I have a grandfather who I’ve spoken to on the phone, and he’s coming down from Scotland to meet me. I have an aunt, and cousins. This is the family I could have had all my life, if you hadn’t made the decision to keep them from me.”

“I’m your family, too, Jack,” said Evvie wearily. “I’m the one who has always been there for you.”

“You created this,” Jack said, before sighing. “Look, I have to go.” He turned to leave.

“Jack!” she called out, but he didn’t stop walking, and she burst into tears.

Upstairs, Topher tried to comfort her. “He’s a young man who’s had a big shock. You can understand why he’s upset with you.”

Evvie’s sobs had diminished to occasional hiccups. “Of course, but how long is he going to feel like this? And now he’s moving in with you guys? I feel like Maggie’s stealing my son to get back at me.”

“That’s not what’s happening,” Topher reassured. “I know that’s what it looks like, but she’s just offering to give him the father, the family, he didn’t know. You are always going to be his mother, Evvie. No one can ever replace you. And he loves you. He just needs to get over this, and he needs to find out where he comes from.”

“You don’t think Maggie’s trying to replace me?” She looked up at him with red, puffy eyes.

“Come on, Evvie. This is Maggie. She isn’t vindictive. She’s a nurturer. She’s trying to take care of her husband’s son. She’s entranced by him, and who can blame her? Not only have you raised a great kid, he’s the image of Ben. I can’t blame her for wanting to do stuff for him. I think she probably does feel maternal toward him, but she’s not his mother. She’s very clear about that. And however he’s acting now, it’s because he’s in pain. He still loves you. You’re his mother.”

Whatever unease Evvie felt, she recognized this as being part of her penance, and she let out a deep sigh. At least she and Jack were in the same county; at least she had a chance to keep asking for forgiveness, to rebuild their relationship.

She nodded. “I guess you’re right. As hard as it is, there’s nothing I can do, is there?”

Topher sank onto the sofa. “I don’t think there is. Not just yet. But give this time. Who knows what will happen? In the meantime, are you sure you’re going to be okay here?” He looked around at the dim room. “This is pretty shitty. Not where you expected to end up when you flew over here.” He looked at her expression, then winced. “I’m sorry, let me rephrase that. This flat is fine, and it’s better than the Airbnb, but . . .” He sighed. “I miss you. The house feels empty without you. I love having Jack around but this whole thing is weird.”

Evvie sat down next to him. “Do you think you might be able to work on Maggie? Do you think you might be able to get her to forgive me?”

“I’m trying. I think we may have to let her get there by herself. You know how Maggie retreats when she’s hurt. If it helps, I do feel she’ll get over it. I don’t think this will be forever. And Jack showed up today, which is a start. He’ll come around.”

Evvie leaned her head on his shoulder. “I hope you’re right.”





fifty-one


- 2019 -



Maggie still couldn’t quite believe that Jack was staying with her. She didn’t know whether or not to ask, knowing how much it would hurt Evvie, but how could she not take this boy in? He couldn’t stay couch surfing, whatever that was, and God knows she had the room.

Ben’s father and Jack had long chats on FaceTime, and he was coming down next week to meet him, overjoyed at having a long-lost grandson. Ben’s older sister, whom Maggie never got on with particularly well, had invited Jack to come and stay and meet his two cousins.

And every minute that Jack spent under this roof, he plied Maggie for stories about his father, delighted at the things he found in common, vintage cars for one, awed at the classic Austin-Healey that was in the garage, Ben’s pride and joy, which Maggie had never got around to selling.

Maggie was cooking him all the food that Ben loved: roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, chicken Kiev, toad-in-the-hole. Good English comfort food, most of which Jack never had in his life.

She watched him now over the rim of her wineglass as he ate, eating all the vegetables first, just like Ben used to do, saving the best for last. She was aware she was smiling as she watched, embarrassed when she looked over to see Topher watching her.

“Stop staring at him,” he said. “You’ll make the poor boy uncomfortable.”

“Don’t worry about me,” said Jack, his mouth full. “I’m getting used to it.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I must seem so creepy. I’ll try to stop. So what are your plans, Jack? How long do you think you’re staying?”

“Do you need me to leave?”

“No! The opposite. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want. I’m just wondering what you’ll do.”