demolished two warehouses.’
‘That’s fantastic. So, is it just you developing these?’
‘Yes. Originally, I did go into business with my father. He’s a property developer. I learnt much of it from him but he wanted me to start making my own way. Insisted I took this site on as a start. Well, as there was very little outlay, if I’m sensible enough, this should set me up for life.’
‘I should say so,’ Gina breezed, raising her eyebrows. ‘Anyway, I’d better get back to my mum.’
‘Is she OK?’ he asked, taking her hand again and leading her back to the boarding.
Gina lowered her eyes, pursing her lips. ‘Yes, I think so. She and Dad are going through a difficult time. I’ve left her asleep.’
‘I’m sorry. I hope it rights itself soon. For all your sakes.’ He sounded concerned. ‘My parents went through a difficult patch when I was younger. It really messed with my head. Just call me if you want to chat.’
They walked through the gate then Ollie locked up.
Gina scanned her eyes over the lake, the cloud had lifted and the sun streamed across resting on her skin. As Ollie stepped down beside her, a sharp chill surrounded her and something leaned into her the opposite side.
‘Phew.’ She jumped, stroking her arm and searching around. Something or someone was again making their presence apparent.
‘Are you OK?’ he asked.
‘Mmm, yes, fine,’ she lied. ‘A fly, or something.’
They began to stroll back. Talking about Montreux as they went.
‘So, have a think about how you can market these in London and let me know if you’re interested. And, of course, the apartments in Battersea. My option finishes soon but my instinct is to go with it, particularly as the market is on the up. I realise it’s not your immediate vicinity but would it be close enough?’
Gina rubbed her forehead. Wasn’t he being a bit presumptuous? ‘I’ll think about that too. I need to sort things out here at the moment. Email me the spec and details and I’ll get back to you,’ she said as they reached his garden gate.
‘Here, cut through.’ He waved his arm for her to enter the gate. ‘And, could you keep all this between us? The Battersea site is still highly confidential.’
‘Yes, of course,’ she nodded and stopped startled and he moved close, catching her elbows and planting a kiss on both her cheeks, then as she backed away, a third.
‘It’s three in Switzerland,’ he grinned. ‘Thought you would have known that.’
She trembled at his nearness. ‘Yes, it is.’ Her eyes met his, her cheeks flushing crimson as she turned to go.
Gina rushed up to the road, brushing her hair through her fingers like she was unleashing every loose strand. Although Ollie was rather presumptuous and arrogant at times he did seem nice. And he made her blush like a teenager. It was rare for Max to have that effect on her nowadays. Ollie had also been kind in offering support with her parents. Max was rarely interested in her family so it was quite refreshing for someone to take an interest.
Once at her parents’ apartment, she opened the door and her nostrils flared with delight as the aroma of fresh coffee wafted out. Glancing at the sofa, however, her heart sank seeing the shrunken frame of her mother, usually so vibrant, so smiley and in charge, now pale and listless, curled miserably into the corner of the furniture, wrapped in a soft throw.
‘That coffee smells divine. Are you feeling better after the sleep?’ she asked, sliding into the chair next to her.
‘I was happier asleep,’ Adrienne’s voice croaked. Then clearing her throat, continued, ‘I’ve just brewed the coffee, so help yourself.’
Gina gave her mother a long searching look, examining her red-rimmed and bloodshot eyes, her vacant stare, her tiny pink nose and dry, cracked lips. Her heart cried. This was so difficult. This was her mother, her light, her rock and sometimes, her saviour. What could she possibly do to help her through this? She sat back and hid her eyes, now swelling with tears. This was out of her realm. She couldn’t just tell her mother to pull herself together. This was going to take time. And she had to speak to her father.
‘Can I top up your coffee, Mum?’
‘No, honestly I’m fine. Thank you.’
Feeling useless, Gina kicked off her shoes, lifted herself from the chair and strolled to the kitchen area to pour herself a coffee. The stone-tiled floor was cool beneath her feet.
‘I’ve been trying Dad’s mobile but he’s not answering.’
‘Me too,’ Adrienne muttered. ‘Selfish bastard.’
Gina opened the fridge and added milk to her coffee. How was she supposed to speak to her father? She had no control over this situation but it wasn’t in her nature to sit back and do nothing. The thought of her mother sitting around like this for days, weeks, maybe destroying herself, was far more than she could handle. Well, perhaps she should give her mother a couple of days to at least come to terms with the situation. The poor woman didn’t deserve this. She’d received a pretty harsh blow. She sat down and folded her legs up on the sofa with her coffee in her hand.
‘Mum, tell me how you feel?’ she asked, sipping the hot drink and observing her mother. Maybe if she spoke about it she would find it easier.
Adrienne gave a thoughtful glance at her daughter and blinked hard. She then rubbed her eyes and sniffed. Gina held her patience with all her strength, willing her mother to collect her words and express them. Adrienne had always worn her heart on her sleeve whereas Gina kept her feelings close, unlike her opinions. She kept her focus on her mother, telling herself to hold her tongue.
Finally Adrienne took a deep breath.
‘Hurt, betrayed, sick, humiliated, heartbroken, sad, angry, jealous…I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong, I feel I’m owed an explanation. Why couldn’t he just talk to me and tell me he was unhappy? No, he’s found an easy way out – someone to move in with, just a shag. I expect that’s what he’s doing. Just fucking! I mean, who is she to just steal my husband? Break up a perfectly happy marriage. Ruin lives. And him! What was missing in his life? He wanted for nothing, so why?’ Her chest began to shake, then her voice etched up an octave. ‘So why couldn’t he just talk to me? Why?’
Gina rushed over and reached out as her mother collapsed sobbing into her arms. Tears began streaming down her own cheeks as she shared some of her mother’s pain. Their family was broken and her mother was clearly suffering, hurt and humiliated.
‘It’s OK, Mum. It will do you good to have a good cry,’ she said and then held her tongue. She would only blow out her own hurt and anger and that wouldn’t help her mother. She rocked her mother gently handing her tissues from the arm of the sofa.
She felt their roles had reversed. It had always been the other way around: she, the little girl in her mother’s arms. Now, she was the mother, sort of. What could she do to help? Staying here indefinitely was impossible. Her business wouldn’t run itself, although, bless her, Rebecca was managing well. Anyway, she had to somehow speak to her father. Find out what was going
