Katie Fforde - Going Dutch

‘I don't think you could say she was bitter at all,' said Dora defensively. 'She's been very upbeat about the whole thing.' She laughed. 'In fact, she said that Philip had got very boring, so maybe they'd just fallen out of love with each other. I don't think she's jealous of you at all.' Dora didn't know if this was entirely true, but Jo had been putting a very brave face on things and she didn't want to give the Floosie any more ammunition.

‘But I've got her house. My mother would never have let Dad have the house. He had to go and live in a ghastly little flat when he and Mum split up.'

‘Jo's a very special person,' said Dora, 'and although I probably shouldn't tell you this, I wouldn't be surprised if she was snapped up by another man very soon.’

Samantha made a face. 'But how could she be? She's old!'

‘She's younger than Philip, she told me, and she's a very attractive woman. The men on the moorings have been flocking round her. Some men like the more mature woman,' she added.

‘But her figure's gone, her hair is a disaster, and while I do admit she's got good skin, I mean..

Aware that Samantha wasn't capable of expressing what she really meant, Dora said, 'But don't you think it's the person that matters? I mean, Uncle Philip – sorry!' She laughed artificially. Actually, she'd never called Karen's father anything except Mr Edwards. 'Philip – I used to call him "Uncle" when I was a little girl – is quite a lot older than you are, but you don't notice his turkey neck and saggy stomach, do you? You love the real Philip, the one inside.’

Samantha bit her lip. 'Yes, of course… hey, you wouldn't like to come and see my wedding dress, would you?'

‘Your wedding dress? But Philip and Jo aren't divorced yet, are they?'

‘Well, no, but we're going to have a special party to tell all our friends about us being together and everything. Now we can tell them about the baby too.’

Feeling that Jo might want a bit of time alone with her ex-husband, Dora reluctantly followed Samantha back into the master bedroom.

While Samantha and Dora were upstairs, Jo sat down at the kitchen and accepted a glass of water.

‘Do you think I could have my sewing machine?' she said quietly once she felt able to speak again. 'It's in the attic.'

‘Of course,' Philip said. 'Shall I get it down for you?'

‘That would be kind. You bought it for me when Karen started to need costumes for her dancing lessons. Do you remember?'

‘That's right! She was a talented little thing, wasn't she?'

‘Still is, only not as a dancer.' She was aware that he must miss talking about his only child. Samantha wouldn't want to hear how well Karen was getting on, running an art gallery in Toronto. 'You'll have another baby to think about soon.'

‘Yes, but Karen-'

‘Is your first child, the only one we had together.’

He swallowed, as if remembering the heartbreak that subsequent attempts at parenthood had caused. 'At least I know..

‘That it wasn't your fault,' Jo finished for him. 'That's very nice for you. Now would you be a dear and get the sewing machine for me?' She needed space alone more than she needed any amount of machinery.

‘Of course.’

Jo was still sitting at the table when Dora and Samantha appeared. 'Philip's gone into the attic to get my sewing machine.'

‘A sewing machine!' said Samantha. 'I've always wanted one of those.'

‘I'm sure Philip will get you one if you ask him,' said Jo, her patience wearing thin.

‘Or you could buy your own,' suggested Dora, who was a different generation.

‘I'd like to make the baby little clothes,' Samantha said confidingly. 'I used to make dresses for my Barbie.'

‘Did you?' Reluctantly, Jo felt some respect. 'Now that's really fiddly. I would have thought you'd have had to domost of it by hand. I once made a suede jacket for Karen's Sindy-'

‘I was so jealous of it!' said Dora, her youth coming back to her in a rush.

‘It was only fake suede,' said Jo. 'Oh, here's Philip.'

‘Sweet cakes! I was just saying, I really want a sewing machine.' Samantha was obviously remembering a happy childhood playing with dolls too.

‘Could you put that into the car for me?' Jo asked Philip. 'I'll take the clothes.'

‘I can take them,' said Dora, 'or the machine.'

‘It's all right, I'll take it,' said Philip. 'Sammy, darling, you wouldn't like to think about making some lunch, would you?’

They all trooped outside, including Samantha, who obviously felt the need to be near Philip, just in case.

Philip put the sewing machine in the back of the car. 'I hope you're going to be all right, Jo. I do worry about you.'

‘I'm going to be absolutely fine,' said Jo firmly.

‘And you're not going to go on this ridiculous trip to Holland, are you? Michael told me all about it. I was appalled. It sounds grossly irresponsible. You're very welcome to stay with us, both of you, while someone else takes it.’

Samantha's expression of horror at her new man's sense of duty would have made Jo laugh in normal circum stances. Now, she couldn't remember what normal circumstances were.

‘A trip like that' – Philip went on solicitously – 'is not really the sort of thing a woman of your age should undertake.’

For a ghastly moment, Dora thought she was about to witness a murder, but Jo seemed very calm.

‘Oh, I don't think my age means I should miss out on a chance of an adventure, do you? I mean, I only have myself to worry about now and it would be a shame to miss what could be the trip of a lifetime!'

‘But you know how sick you get and you'd hate it.'

‘Oh, I'm definitely going.' She got into the car, slammed the door and opened the window. 'I've got the chance to live a bit now I'm no longer married. I want to take full advantage.' She smiled. 'Oh, and by the way, remember Marcus? He's skippering.’

Jo felt a wicked pleasure in seeing Philip's look of bewilderment and then slight displeasure. It made up a little for the horror of the last half-hour.

‘Thank you for getting my sewing machine,' she added sweetly as she started the engine.

Dora saw from Jo's and Philip's expressions the way the conversation was going, and leapt into the car with alacrity, a black plastic bag clutched to her bosom.

A little way down the road, Dora said, 'That Samantha is a piece of work! It must have been utterly horrible for you. Shall I take you out to a pub for lunch?’

Jo sighed. 'That would be lovely! Somewhere with a garden where we can take our shoes off. I'm awfully hot.’

After they had found the perfect pub and were settled under an umbrella in the garden, their food ordered, she said, 'This is so kind of you, Dora, you don't need to pay for me. It could come out of your rent.'

‘Not at all. I'm a wage-earner now. I can afford some treats. Besides, I've got a bit of a confession to make to you.’

‘Oh, what?’

Dora sipped her spritzer. 'I said that the men on the moorings were flocking round you.'

‘You did? Why?' Jo asked, raising her face to the sun and feeling the stress of the morning gradually ease.

‘Because Samantha said you must be jealous of her, and I couldn't bear it, so I said you had no need to be jealous and that Philip had got very boring and she had no need to pity you. Although actually,' she went on thoughtfully, 'I think she is jealous of you.’

Jo didn't speak for a few moments. `To be absolutely honest, I was a bit jealous of her for a few moments. It's why I nearly fainted.'

‘From jealousy?' Dora was appalled.

‘No, shock, more. It was when Philip told me they were going to have a baby. It just hit me.'

‘But you wouldn't want another baby!' Dora was aghast. 'Would you?'