The Bedroom Window, page 6
‘Yes, he’s the new estate manager there.’
‘The Williamses are such nice people. Did you know they donated the funding for our floodlight football pitch?’ Gloria points to the window, indicating the field at the rear of the school. ‘Before that, the kids had to travel miles on a hired coach just to practise after school.’ She looks back down at the form and smiles fondly to herself. ‘Yes, we’re big fans of Mr and Mrs Williams here at Beck Primary, as you can imagine.’ She checks the form. ‘How’s your husband finding it up there?’
‘It’s very early days but yes, I think it’s going well.’
‘Mrs Williams, Neeta – she’s a stunningly attractive woman. Dripping with diamond jewellery and designer labels and yet she’s got absolutely no ego.’
I think about Neil’s text letting me know he’ll be later home than planned again. I’ve already postponed our supposedly romantic dinner from last night to this. Now it feels like I might as well give up altogether.
For as long as I’ve known Neil, prior to the accident, he’s been the kind of man who works very hard but, at the end of each day, it’s always been tools down and home. I find it extraordinary he’s willingly volunteered to help Ted Williams for a second consecutive day.
‘How lucky, getting to live in the Seaspray cottage, too.’ Gloria’s voice interrupts my thoughts.
Against my better judgement, I hear myself broaching the exact subject I’ve been warned off. ‘Mr and Mrs Gooding lived there before us, I believe? We’re so lucky their retirement created an opening for Neil.’
As I’d hoped, Gloria is not a woman to mince words. ‘The less said about those two, the better.’ She presses her lips together and shuffles the paperwork in front of her. ‘How they got away with what they did, I do not know. They were very lucky the Williamses didn’t press charges.’
I try and fail to keep the surprise from my face. ‘That sounds quite serious. What happened?’
She swallows and picks up the phone. ‘I shouldn’t have really said anything.’
‘I won’t repeat anything you tell me, Gloria.’ I stare as the woman punches in a number and presses the receiver to her ear. ‘I’m not one to listen to idle gossip and I’d rather hear what happened from someone I can trust.’ I see Gloria falter as the flattery hits its target.
The older woman sighs and puts down the phone. ‘You haven’t heard this from me, OK?’
‘You have my word.’ I’m almost bursting with anticipation.
‘There’s no easy way of saying this. Tom Gooding, he… he assaulted Neeta Williams. It was terrible really but it’s not for me to go into the details. Suffice to say he was fired on the spot.’
‘Goodness! Were the police involved?’
‘No. I think… it was dealt with quickly and privately. As always, the Williamses, despite being unjustly treated, sought to do the right thing. I heard Mary Gooding had been in a bad way for some time, suffering from some kind paranoia or anxiety. Police involvement would have probably pushed her over the edge. As I say, please don’t repeat anything I’ve said,’ Gloria adds hastily.
‘Do other people know what happened up at Seaspray?’ I ask, feeling breathless.
‘They do not!’ Gloria looks horrified. ‘There are just a handful of us who know the truth. People who know Mr and Mrs Williams well, of which I consider myself one. On their many visits to the school I always make sure they’re taken care of, and Mrs Williams is always interested in how my Bengal cats are doing. I’ve only spoken to a handful of people I trust. And now that includes you.’
It doesn’t take me long to figure out that if Gloria has so willingly spilled her guts to me, a complete newcomer to the bay, then chances are she’s told a good few other people, too.
I wonder how the very private and very generous couple would feel about that.
NINE
THURSDAY
I’m getting tired of the unpacking and cleaning now. My back is aching, reminding me of the broken promise I made to myself in the new year to start exercising again. Just like the year before, I’d had good intentions but being the only person who could do anything in the house during Neil’s recovery meant I felt constantly exhausted. When push came to shove, I couldn’t face a brisk walk, never mind a run.
This unpacking has to be done, though, and I keep thinking how nice it will be to have everywhere neat and organised. I can’t wait until the place really feels like home.
I also want make a start on cooking a batch of meals for the freezer. Just simple one-pot stuff like chilli con carne, curry and shepherd’s pie for the times Neil is late home, which seem to be becoming the norm. But I’m trying not to think about that.
Last night, when Neil went up to shower, there was a problem with the boiler. Now, there’s no hot water so my hair is a greasy mop that I’ve pulled back from my face with a frayed old floral scarf.
Neil, not wanting to bother Ted, has ordered a new timer from Amazon, which will be delivered today. ‘It was the last one in stock, so it would be great if you can be in when it comes,’ he told me this morning. ‘We need that part, or it’ll be cold showers all weekend.’
Albie was grumpy this morning, insisting he could walk to school on his own, that several of the kids in his class already do so. ‘There are no drug dealers around here, Mum. It’s different to where we lived before.’
It was a fair point but I don’t feel comfortable with him walking alone so soon. ‘That might be so, but I prefer to take you in anyway,’ I told my disgruntled son. ‘We can look at it again when you’re ten.’
When I’d insisted on him washing his face and hands with cold water this morning, I’d cemented my ‘Unreasonable Mother of the Year’ award.
I glance in the hall mirror when I pass. I’d made a slice of toast and jam when I’d got back from the school run and had managed to spill a dollop of raspberry jam down my top. Rather than change, I wipe it off, leaving a dark, sticky mark, and get on with the last of the unpacking.
When the doorbell sounds just as I’m about to make a coffee, I’m expecting Neil’s parcel. When I open the door, the tall, willowy woman I saw in the garden stands there. Close up, I can see she’s in her late forties with short black hair and smooth skin and she is very attractive. She looks immaculate, dressed simply in dark navy jeans, a fine grey wool sweater and white trainers with a distinctive green and red Gucci stripe.
For a moment I can’t speak; I just freeze for some unfathomable reason.
‘Hello, you must be Lottie! I’m Neeta Williams.’ She holds out a hand. ‘It’s so lovely to meet you at last!’
I force myself to snap out of it and shake her hand.
‘Neeta… hello! Please, come in.’ I step back from the doorway and out of the cloud of my visitor’s strong floral perfume.
I feel a wave of dread at being caught out looking so scruffy… and her looking so ravishing, too! Hopelessly, I attempt to smooth back wisps of hair and wipe a finger under each eye to remove any smudged eyeliner.
‘Are you alright?’ Neeta says, concerned. ‘You look a bit hassled. Have I called at a bad time?’
‘No, I’m fine. I just feel such a mess! Please, come in.’ I do feel a bit out of sorts all of a sudden, but I usher her over the step into the kitchen. ‘Neil mentioned you might pop down. I’m so sorry about the clutter.’
‘No need to apologise, you’ve just moved in. And you look absolutely fine, by the way!’
It’s kind of her to reassure me, even though we both know she’s lying through her teeth.
I point to the worktops, stacked with stuff I’ve taken out of the cupboards. ‘I was just wiping the shelves before I put the last bits away.’
Neeta looks concerned. ‘Oh dear, I hope the kitchen wasn’t dirty…’
‘Not at all! The place is spotless. I just gave it a quick wipe.’
‘Oh, that’s a relief! I booked an end-of-tenancy clean from a local cleaning company. I wanted everything looking spick and span for when you moved in but Ted found a few bits they’d missed when he checked.’ I think about the letter and photograph concealed under the drawer liner. He’d obviously missed those items, too. ‘When the last tenants moved out, we found they’d been living in a bit of a mess.’
When they’d ‘moved out’. It is interesting phrasing after my conversation at the school.
‘Well, it was very clean, so thank you for doing that.’ I know I’m babbling. I try to force myself to relax. I’m assuming Neeta will judge me but she actually seems very nice and not like that at all. ‘Can I get you a tea or coffee? Or perhaps a glass of water?’
She checks her fancy watch. ‘Go on then, a quick coffee would be nice. Thank you!’
While I fiddle around with coffee pods and the milk steamer, Neeta looks approvingly around the room. ‘You’ve already got it looking so much homelier in here,’ she says. Diamond rings glitter on her slender fingers as she flicks idly through a Gordon Ramsay cookbook on the worktop before moving over to the window. ‘I’ve always thought this is a great view. It’s very cosy in here.’
Neeta watches me pour milk into a stainless-steel jug and pop it under the milk steamer pipe. She’s standing close enough to me that I can smell every last note of her sweet, floral perfume. It’s a little sickly, so I walk over to the fridge to escape it and Neeta steps back, turning her attention to the coffee machine. ‘Gosh, aren’t you clever? Ted has one like this at home, possibly even more complicated. I haven’t got a clue how to use the thing.’
I finish the coffees and hand her one. ‘It’s just practice really.’ I hesitate before adding, ‘I could pop up and show you how, if you’d like.’
‘Oh no… I’ll leave that to Ted!’ She follows me through to the lounge.
‘More mess in here, I’m afraid.’ I cringe at the overflowing boxes of cushions, books and mismatched blankets we had in our old lounge.
‘I’m sure it’ll look lovely when you’ve finished. Neil mentioned Albie’s started at his new school. I’ve seen him when you both walk to school. He seems quite a happy boy, pointing out plants and birds.’
‘Yes, we’re hoping he’ll be very happy here,’ I say. It’s baffling that Neeta has managed to see so much detail from the main house, which stands a good way back from the hillside path. Still, it’s nice of her to say such things.
‘And he’s a handsome little chappie… just like his daddy!’ Her comment rankles, but I push it away. She picks up a framed photograph of Neil with Albie on his shoulders when he was much younger. ‘Ted’s going to find Albie a few jobs to do at Seaspray, if he wants to come up. How old is he?’
‘He’s nine,’ I say. ‘Nine going on nineteen! He’s pushing against boundaries and feeling his feet a bit. What about you, Neeta, do you have children?’
I’m alarmed to see her physically stiffen. After a few moments of awkward silence, she answers me stoically. ‘No. Ted and I couldn’t have children. Sad really, but we made peace with it years ago.’
Silence rings in my ears. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to be intrusive.’
‘No, it’s a fair question. We would have liked little ones but… I suppose what’s meant to be is meant to be.’ She stares into the middle distance and after a few moments I feel moved to fill the space.
‘I completely get that. Time moves on so quickly and—’
‘You’re so right, Lottie. Time moves on and you try to forget about the lack and get used to the freedom being childless affords.’ Neeta’s voice sounds almost monotone now, like she’s falling back into a well-rehearsed defence. ‘We’ve always loved our holidays abroad although we haven’t been for a while.’ I watch as Neeta’s mouth stretches into a semblance of a smile. ‘We’re really very lucky. We’ve nothing to complain about.’
‘That’s good.’ I shift in my seat as the feeling of discomfort grows inside me. There seems to be a big disparity between what she’s saying and how she looks. Her dull eyes, the corners of her mouth turning down… I’d like nothing more than to change the subject but suddenly, I can’t think of a single thing to say.
Neeta looks straight at me, her demeanour perking up. ‘Anyway, I’m so looking forward to meeting your boy. Albie. If you and Neil fancy a night out when you’re settled in, then please don’t hesitate. We’re available for babysitting!’
I think about Albie and the way he can be a little shy when meeting new people. That’s why I’d been so surprised when he’d felt at ease with Keris and Edie. It always takes him a long time to develop trust with new people. A bit like me. There’s no way he’d want to stay with the Williamses if Neil and I fancy a night out. Not for the foreseeable future, anyway. But things might change if he visits Seaspray a few times.
‘Thanks so much for the offer,’ I say. ‘I’m sure Albie will want to get to know you both. He’s a bit nervous after—’
I bite down on my tongue. I don’t want to get into any negative stuff in this, our first meeting. But Neeta is instantly astute. ‘After what?’
‘Albie had a bit of trouble at his last school with some of the other boys. I began to think it might really affect his education and… well, let’s just say it was a difficult time. He sort of went back in his shell after that.’
It had happened after our circumstances changed. Neil went from being an attentive, loving husband and father to an emotionally distant shadow of his former self following the accident. He was forced to close the business. I had no choice but to watch my confident, capable husband sink rapidly into a bleak hopelessness from where he seemed to find it impossible to imagine any future worth having. He often lashed out verbally in frustration, becoming snappy and snide, even with his son.
I’d sat down with Albie and explained that Daddy wasn’t cross with him. ‘He’s upset he can’t work any more or go out on his bike. He’s not angry at you, even though it sometimes feels that way. Do you understand?’
Albie had nodded but then he went quiet on me, too.
School summoned me after he started having problems with the other kids. The few friends he’d had disappeared, and he became more insular. Somehow, he then began attracting the attention of bullies in the year above him who started spoiling for a fight every break and lunchtime with Albie always coming off worse.
Neeta’s brow furrows with concern. ‘Gosh, I can imagine it must have been hard, especially on top of everything else you’ve been through. Poor Albie, having to deal with bullies at such a young age.’
I don’t elaborate. I have no intention of telling Neeta all the gory details of what we went through as a family back then. But it hasn’t escaped my notice that Neeta said, On top of everything else you’ve been through.
What did she mean by that? I think she must be referencing Neil’s accident. He’d given them very little detail about that period on his application, he’d said, although obviously he’d had to explain why he hadn’t been working for the last two years. Neil is a private man, always the sort to underplay any challenges. I’m fairly sure he wouldn’t have gone into any real detail.
‘It must be a big relief, getting Albie away from such toxic surroundings. And at his school, of all places,’ Neeta says.
‘Yes, it was one of our main reasons for relocating.’ I realise, too late, how that must sound. ‘I… didn’t mean that was the only reason we moved. Our main reason was Neil’s job. We couldn’t have done it at all without that.’
‘Don’t worry, I know what you mean.’ Neeta smiles, taking a sip of coffee. ‘I think there usually have to be a few reasons for making a big move, don’t there? It’s a big decision and lots of things have to align to make it possible, not all of them good,’ she says generously. ‘I expect if you were completely happy back in Nottingham, Neil wouldn’t have even applied for the job. So I’m glad the opportunity to move here came at the right time.’
‘Thank you,’ I say, feeling my shoulders finally relaxing a little. ‘We were very grateful at the chance you and Ted gave Neil… and gave to us as a family.’
‘Ted and I, we believe in giving people second chances. We all need them sometimes, don’t we?’
Neeta turns her face slightly away as she smiles and something about her profile looks almost familiar. But when she turns back, the impression fades.
‘I think Neil said you worked in a school before he had the accident.’
In the short time since he’s worked at Seaspray, Neil seems to have given Neeta a pretty good potted history.
‘It was just part-time, working in the local school’s office doing some bookkeeping and admin, but I was sad when I had to give it up.’
Neeta raises her eyebrows. ‘Are you hoping to get a job locally?’
‘I’d like to, but it’s a case of finding something that fits in with school hours.’
She thinks for a moment. ‘I’m sure we can sort something out to help with that. Perhaps Neil could pop out to do the school run and bring Albie back to Seaspray until you finish work.’
‘Oh, that’s really kind, thank you!’ I instantly imagine Albie freaking out because he has to spend time with people he doesn’t know. ‘But hopefully I can get something that doesn’t put you out like that.’
‘Really, it would be no trouble and we’d like having a youngster around the place. Such a shame you had to finish work to become Neil’s carer,’ Neeta says easily. ‘He said you were wonderful – said he didn’t know how he’d have got through the dark times without you.’
I drink my coffee to help cover my expression. I can’t imagine Neil being so open with someone he’s only just met. He’d barely told his friends back in Nottingham anything about what he went through during his recovery.
‘Depression is a terrible thing. It sounds like you both went through a very tough time,’ Neeta adds.
‘Neil spoke to you about that?’ I say faintly.
‘He did.’ Neeta’s tone is empathetic and, somehow, it makes things so much worse. ‘I think it was a relief for him to talk to someone else about it, you know? That’s often the case, isn’t it? Those closest to you can be the hardest people of all to talk to.’
