Karen Aldous - The Chateau

As the train began to border Lake Léman there was so much mist she couldn’t see much of Lake Léman nor the mountains, which was disappointing, but it was likely to burn off in an hour or two. It was brighter by the time Gina stepped off the train but she decided to take the road rather than the lake path. It wasn’t much quicker but the walk was what she needed after sitting down for hours. Once at her parents’ apartment, she let herself in and found her mother still in her dressing gown with red and puffy eyes. Gina rushed to her alarmed, throwing her arms around her. Her mother buried her head in her shoulders and began crying uncontrollably. Gina was unable to hold back either, letting her tears spill as she cradled Adrienne.

‘I couldn’t sleep,’ Adrienne told her several minutes later. ‘I don’t even know who this woman is but just the thought of your father…loving, touching someone else. Urrgh. It keeps turning my stomach.’

Gina pulled a face. ‘I can imagine, Mum. Must be a real shock,’ she said stroking her mother’s hair. ‘It’s awful. Try not to torment yourself with those thoughts.’

‘I can’t help it. It still hasn’t really sunk in.’ Adrienne slumped away and into her armchair swiping a glance at George’s empty one. ‘I keep expecting him to walk back in the door.’

Gina sat on the edge of the sofa facing her. ‘So what else did he say? I mean, do you know how long it’s been going on or how they met or why?’ Gina asked then walked to the kitchen area, reaching for the kettle and began getting the coffee cups prepared.

Her mother shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea. I had no idea. Like I said on the phone, it came out of the blue. He just came out of the bedroom last night with his large brown holdall; I was at the sink just drying my hands. I’d just put the dinner on the table.’ She sniffed and swallowed hard. ‘Then, he said. “I’m sorry, Adrienne, but I’ve fallen in love with someone else and we’ve decided to move in together.” Just like that and then I said “What do you mean?” and he just carried on walking. At first I thought he might be joking, I don’t know why, but when he got to the door, I thought, he means this, he’s going. I asked him to explain but he said he couldn’t be any clearer and went.’

Gina dashed to her mother as she broke down again. She held her shuddering body, allowing her to release her tears.

‘Oh, Mum, I don’t know what to say. I did try to ring him last night but he wasn’t answering.’ Rubbing her mother’s back she continued, ‘It’s really strange. I did think about ringing Aunt Bernie to ask if he’d spoken to her or gone to hers but I didn’t know whether you would want me to.’ Wiping her own eyes, she sat back. ‘I feel so useless.’

‘I know, I understand. I just don’t understand him though. Not a word.’

‘Presumably he’s taken his wallet and money, cards?’

‘Gosh, I’ve no idea. I hadn’t thought of that. He looks after all our money. He normally just leaves money out for me. What if…’

Gina took her mother’s hands. ‘Don’t panic. I’m sure he wouldn’t leave you homeless or without money. I’ll try to get hold of him again. Let me make this coffee.’

Now Gina was concerned. What if he had failed to provide? How would her mother cope? She’d never been self-reliant and, she imagined, she would struggle if her father didn’t pay the bills, although she was sure they’d paid cash for their apartment. That may be safe. Aunt Bernie was still the best person to ring but if her mother needed some time she had to respect that. She needed to ring her father. She rang his mobile again but still he didn’t answer. She texted him, urging him to call her. She finished the coffee and returned to her mother, still staring vacantly in her chair.

‘We’ll drink this and then you have a shower. That’ll make you feel a bit better at least,’ she told her mother handing her the hot mug.

‘I don’t feel like having a shower, Gina.’

‘I know but I think you should keep – ’ she stumbled on her words ‘ – to a routine. Keep yourself fed and watered and looking beautiful. You always look lovely.’

‘Didn’t do me much good, did it?’

‘Well, the way I see it is, if he walked back in here now and he saw you, he would think you could never manage without him. I personally, wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. If he’s been having an affair, he’s already betrayed you.’

Adrienne scowled at Gina. ‘My husband of thirty-three years has just walked out, how do you expect me to look?’ She held her cheeks, her palm spreading across her face, trying to contain her sobs. ‘I’m not like you, Gina. He’s my life. I care about him and I’m hurt. I don’t care if he sees me like this.’

‘Oh sorry, Mum. That’s just me. I’ll shut up. I’m sorry, I’m still just so shocked, and I’m sure, like you, confused. I don’t know how I’d react in all honesty.’

‘I’m going back to bed,’ Adrienne said, lifting herself from the chair and shuffling off, hunched, to her bedroom.

Cursing herself for upsetting her mother, Gina apologised again. ‘I’m so furious at him for hurting you like this.’

‘I’m tired. Maybe I’ll feel better after some sleep.’

‘You haven’t got any tablets or anything in there, have you? I mean, I don’t want to leave you alone…not in your state of mind,’ Gina said with panic in her voice.

‘No. But I wish I…never mind. I need to sleep.’

As her mother closed the door, Gina paced. For the first time in her life she felt helpless. With her own relationship struggling too, she failed to reach any answers. It seemed men still ruled. Did what they wanted.

What could she do? Respect her mother’s feelings and help her cope, she supposed. Looking through the fully stocked cupboards it seemed she didn’t need to go shopping. She tried her father’s mobile again, leaving him a message to call her urgently. She then left her mother a note and slipped out. She needed to walk.

She took the path along the lake towards the centre and continued until she reached Château de Chillon towards the end of the lake. A kiosk was open outside and, feeling a thirst, she bought a small bottle of water and an ice cream with some change in her pocket and headed back down the path.

A smaller path led her down to the shore where rocks formed a tiny bay just feet from the vast castle wall. She perched on the rocks and looked out across the lake. It wasn’t as bright as her last visit had been. Clouds and mist harboured the distant view but added drama. The mountains peaked dark grey above a bruised sky like shark fins protruding from the murkiest ocean. It was dismal but the sun was trying its best to sneak through. She peered back at the castle, its turrets towering above. It was beautiful in a haunting medieval way. She couldn’t remember ever visiting it before but noted a tour for when she had time.

She tried her father’s phone again and every few minutes thereafter but he continued to ignore her. She couldn’t bring herself to call her brother. God no, he would be horrified to discover his parents’ marriage had disintegrated having just tied the knot. Instead she rang Rebecca in the office who confessed it was busy but said she would manage there and sent her condolences. Lydia, she relayed, had agreed to do a few hours where she could. It was fortunate she could assist during school hours. At least something was sorted out, if only for the short-term.

She climbed some steps and began to meander back along the lake path.

***

Ollie Martin had begun the day early. He and Thomas, his foreman and good friend, had run through the schedules for the villas. With the first villa completing its second fix, Ollie inspected the sanitary ware and kitchen cupboards waiting to be fitted. The wall and floor tilers could now begin and the painters could return to complete the walls and woodwork. The landscaping surrounding the villa could also start.