Karen Aldous - The Chateau

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 on, what his plans were and if he was going to continue support his wife.

Adrienne came up for air, wiping her eyes with a clean tissue.

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do, Gina,’ she said, seeking her daughter’s eyes for answers.

‘Would you like to come back to London with me for a while?’

‘No. No. I couldn’t do that. I want to be here, in case.’

‘In case what?’ Gina blurted out with more irritation than she’d intended.

‘In case Dad comes back. He could change his mind or regret leaving. Realise it’s not what he wants. I don’t know.’

Gina sighed.

‘Well, it’s up to you. You’re more than welcome,’ Gina replied in her softest approach. It was hard to imagine her father coming back so soon but her mother was obviously living on hope just now. ‘Think about it. I’m going to try Dad again.’

Gina gently rubbed her mother’s arm and stood to get her phone, which she’d left on the breakfast bar. Again, he didn’t answer so she text him another message with even more urgency. As she read her mother’s face, she could see the disappointment.

‘Let’s go and have something to eat,’ Gina said in a more upbeat tone. ‘I’m starving.’

Adrienne shook her head.

‘No darling, you go. I’m really not hungry.’

‘You have to eat, Mum. You haven’t eaten all day, have you?’

Gina heard a text message bleep from her phone. She quickly read it.

‘It’s from Ollie.’

‘What, Ollie, Gabriella’s cousin?’ Adrienne looked at her in surprise.

‘He’s just...asking about the villas. I went to see the first one.’

‘When did you speak to him?’ her mother sat forward with panic in her voice.

‘I met up with him earlier, while I was walking. Then, when I returned and you’d gone back to bed, I nipped up to his site.’

‘You didn’t tell him why you were home, did you?’

‘No,’ Gina lied but felt an uncomfortable stiffness in her throat.

Gina now wished she hadn’t said anything. She knew her mother was proud and would feel humiliated. Rubbing her forehead she felt as if she’d betrayed her mother. Not that she’d revealed much.

‘Well, don’t breathe a word. He’ll tell his family and it’ll be all over town. James doesn’t even know yet. What if he hears it from someone else?’ Adrienne closed her eyes and blew out a big sigh as she sat back in her chair. ‘Don’t get me wrong, sweetie, I like Ollie, but it’s private. I will have to ring James soon though. I don’t suppose for one minute your father will, but, well, he’s still on his honeymoon. I couldn’t do it, not until they’re back.’

‘Yes, I agree. I’ll speak to James if you’d rather. I’d wait until he gets back, of course.’

‘I think it would be better coming from me.’

‘If that’s what you prefer.’ She tried to reassure her mother but realised she was really trying to assure herself.

She tried to convince herself that Ollie would exercise discretion but was well aware of his loudness, particularly after a few beers. Oh, fuck!

Chapter 8

Agnes-Francesia gave herself a satisfied smile. Seems to be going well , she thought. Gina wasn’t actually that phased by her, which was surprising. She pondered as to whether she was getting better at her contact or whether the world was changing. She preferred to think it was the former. It could be her efforts were more refined with the practice she’d had over the years but it was always possible people were more in touch with their spiritual side or had less fear of it.