The Back Road

19

Pat had told Mimi that he was going to see Abbie’s parents, which was the truth. But he wasn’t there for very long. He only stayed for half an hour. Kath Campbell was at the hospital, and her husband Brian was in no fit state for visitors, although he had asked if Pat would help the police to talk to the ‘little cows’ that had been out with Abbie on Friday night to see if they were holding anything back. But then he had given up trying to speak. The poor man had started to weep openly and Pat had found it difficult to know what to say.

He wasn’t good at dealing with other people’s grief. It affected him deeply, and he needed to share his feelings with somebody. His first thought was Georgia. It was always Georgia. God, what a mess.

He decided to drive his car out into the country. He needed some thinking time, and he needed time without Mimi. He knew he was going to have to deal with his own problems, one way or another. But Mimi was expecting his child now, and whatever mistakes he might have made, it wasn’t the baby’s fault.

His car seemed to have a mind of its own, though, and within fifteen minutes he found himself outside his home. His real home. Georgia’s car was in the drive. Without stopping to think, he made his way up the front path and approached the door. He remembered how much they had loved this house from the moment they saw it. A large, late Victorian semi, it had huge bay windows and high ceilings. With fields to the rear, it had a stunning view over the Cheshire countryside to the hills beyond.

He knocked on the door, realising that using his key wouldn’t set the right tone. He needn’t have worried. Georgia opened the door, and she was running at full steam. She jabbed her finger at him, as if she would like to jab his chest with a six inch knife.

‘You’ve got a bloody nerve, Patrick Keever. After the last few hours, I can’t believe that you would have the audacity to turn up here.’

Pat looked as his wife in confusion. God, but she was beautiful. Her spiky blonde hair was catching the sunlight, and her huge brown eyes sparkled with fury. Tall and slim, she looked perfect to him. But he had no idea what he’d done. At least, not in the last day or two.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, Georgia. Can I come in, or are we going to fight on the doorstep?’

‘You can come into the hall so that we can shut the door,’ she answered. ‘But that’s as far as you’re getting.’

He walked in and headed towards the kitchen. But Georgia just stood by the door with her arms folded.

‘What am I supposed to have done? I’ve had a shit morning, and I didn’t come here for an ear bashing. I came for sympathy.’ Even to himself, Pat sounded a bit pathetic.

‘What in God’s name makes you think I’ll give you any sympathy? First you send me a text message, telling me baldly that you are about to become a father. Then when I phone to ask you what the hell you’re talking about, you reject my calls. Not once, but three times. And on top of that, I got a message from Ellie last night saying how happy they were for you because - and I quote - “Mimi’s a little treasure”.’

Georgia’s hands fell to sit firmly on her hips, arms bent at the elbow. She was a picture of anger and resentment. But Patrick was totally bewildered.

‘I never sent you a text. Why the hell would I do that? I had no idea how I was going to tell you about the baby - I was going to wait a bit to make sure it wasn’t a false alarm.’

‘Bloody typical of you. Try to avoid the issue and hope it resolves itself without any intervention on your part. It doesn’t work like that, Pat. It didn’t take you long, though, did it? My God - just because I said I wasn’t ready to have babies you have to go and make one with somebody else within about five minutes. You really are unbelievable. And then - yet again - I learn about your behaviour by text. Last time it was with the happy news that you were being unfaithful. This time I get a few words to tell me that you will soon be a proud father.’

‘Georgia, we’ve been through this before. I don’t know who could have told you about me and Mimi. Nobody knew. Not even Max! And I wouldn’t have told you about the baby this way. Surely you know that?’

‘Well all I can suggest is that your tart must have got hold of your phone and sent it. Because it definitely came from your mobile.’

Pat was astounded. He’d caught Mimi with his phone a few days ago. She said she was looking up the weather forecast, because she didn’t have a smart phone. But since then he’d changed the password, and to something that she would never guess in a million years.

‘When did you phone me, exactly, because I would never reject a call from you? You know that, or at least you damn well should do.’

‘I phoned you three times, between ten and eleven this morning.’

Pat felt confusion and a rising sense of panic. He didn’t want to do anything else to upset his wife.

‘I promise you, I never got any calls from you. If you got a text, it wasn’t from me.’

Georgia shoved past him and stormed down the hallway. He made a move to follow her, but she half turned and held up her hand, palm facing outwards. A definite sign that he should stay where he was. She returned a few seconds later with her mobile clutched in her hand and waved it in his face.

‘So explain this, if you’re so bloody clever. Here’s the text. And look - oh surprise, surprise. It’s from your phone.’

Pat stared at the screen in amazement. She was right.

Before they could pursue this any further, his own phone rang. Mimi. Perfect timing. Sometimes he thought she had some sixth sense. He clicked to answer.

‘What is it, Mimi?’

‘I’m sorry Patrick. Am I disturbing you?’ she said in a soft voice. ‘Are you still with that girl’s parents? I need you at home. I’ve lost a bit of blood, and I’m scared.’

Pat leaned back against the wall, resting his head there and closing his eyes.

‘Okay. I’m about to leave Abbie’s now. I’m on my way.’

He hung up and turned to his wife. ‘Georgia…’

‘Piss off, Pat. I won’t be calling you again, so you don’t need to think about rejecting my calls. I have to say that I’m delighted to see you still don’t see the necessity for honesty. I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets lied to.’

She walked away, leaving him to show himself out.