‘Well, I could give Suzanne your number too. Anyway, one good thing that came out of it is – I got to meet this guy Ben, and he’s keen for me to do his research… and pay me! Well, if he’s happy with it. It’s right up my street.’
‘Evie that’s great. I’m really happy for you. You’ll be thorough, I’ve no doubt about that. So how does it all fit exactly?’
‘Well, I’d read that a number of peasant women had been involved in the building of the canal because of their indigenous skills – so I told him, and he has asked me to explore that side of things to make his script more interesting.’ She licked her lips, ‘I haven’t told him it will be handwritten yet, but basically, if they helped design parts of the canal, he can’t completely overlook them in the film, can he? I don’t know much about his script. Maybe he’s making it high action, you know, all the macho-type of brawls in bars or fights on the land or holding back water, I don’t know.’ Evie threw the greasy wrappings into the steel bin in the corner by the French doors. Then thinking aloud she added, ‘Actually, I could type it up in the library and print it off. It’s just a one-off.
‘As a short-term measure, yes, it’s a good idea. But that’s so encouraging, you really should get back to your writing. Freelance would be ideal for you.’
‘I don’t know. I’ve never put it to the test. Possibly, something to think about for the future. It won’t get me out and about though, will it? I would like a job where I meet new people, waitressing or something. Wow, suddenly there’s so much I need to have a think about. I was just so shocked Ben asked me to do it, and pay me. A bit short-sighted really. It didn’t occur to me to turn it down because I didn’t have a computer.’
‘Ask Seb for a computer.’
‘Maybe.’ Evie tensed. She couldn’t admit to her sister that Seb had denied her a computer when she’d asked. And she really was racing ahead. Seb would object to her working anyway, so it was best not to go off at a tangent.
Cally appeared pensive. ‘You could have my old laptop actually. I would need to clean it up a bit, but it would be ideal for your writing. Do you have the internet here?’
Evie shook her head. She had not thought that far ahead. ‘No. But that would be great just to be able to use it for typing and storing files. I can then transfer them on a memory stick and print them at the library or set up an email account there and send them.’
‘It would be far easier with the internet here. At least you wouldn’t have to race out every time you need to send stuff. And you wouldn’t need to print it. Ask Seb for the internet.’
Like it was that easy. Evie feigned a smile and bit her lip. It would be hard to admit to any of her family the difficulties she’d had with Seb; the penny-pinching lifestyle, his meagre allowance, not to mention his restrictions. And she didn’t wish to sound ungrateful either. Wiping her forehead, Evie knew her sister would give her the I-told-you-so speech.
‘Seb’s not keen on me having anything more than the basics. I suppose he foots the bills. That’s another reason I need to find some work. I could really do with having a bit of extra money as well as a bit of independence.’
‘Really? I thought he provided everything you wanted. I mean, that man must be loaded! So, you don’t have the WAG champagne mornings or charity bashes, pamper days and all the usual millionaire lifestyle trappings?’
‘Blimey, no. I don’t think Seb’s that wealthy, not to that extent anyway. And I wouldn’t like that anyway.’ Evie clambered onto a stool next to her sister. The conversation was now becoming embarrassing and she knew her life would sound exactly as her sister and parents had predicted – that Seb was keeping her sweet to keep control and prevent any scandal. How she would have loved to have proved them wrong, but how could she?
‘I’m a bit surprised if I’m honest. ‘Cally climbed down and collected her bag from the hall, lifted out her phone and began searching the internet. ‘Ok, I’m sure you could get a cheap internet connection. It can go on your phone line. And the next time I come I’ll bring the laptop.’
‘There’s no house phone. Just my pay-as-you-go on this phone.’ Evie held up the old mobile.’
Cally’s eyes widened. ‘Are you kidding? That would be worth more as an antique. Have you even got a camera on there?’ Cally whipped it from her hand, inspecting the screen.
‘Sadly not.’
‘So, no photos of Charlotte?’
Evie shook her head and at the same time gasped. ‘Seb has some on his camera that he’ll print off!’
Cally’s eyebrows stayed fixed as she gave her an incredulous glare.
‘Suzanne has taken some with her phone. She said she will get some printed for me. And, Dad took some last year,’ Evie said hopelessly.
‘Seb can’t leave you a camera?’
Evie’s mouth twisted. It wasn’t something she’d considered early on. Seb had taken numerous photos when Charlotte was a baby but, she had to admit, he hadn’t taken any recently. ‘No. I keep meaning to ask him to leave one.’
‘Oh, Evie, that’s…’
‘Mummy.’ Charlotte sauntered up to the breakfast bar dividing the kitchen and living area.
Cally peered down at her niece as though longing to pick up the child.
‘Hello, poppet.’ Evie stepped down and lifted her to her lap with them at the breakfast bar.
‘I should have brought her another pressie as an ice-breaker,’ Cally told her. ‘I only bought a birthday present.’ She glanced down at her arm full of bangles and bracelets. ‘Can she play with these?’
‘Yes, it’s fine as long as we’re here to watch her.’
Charlotte was soon sitting on her auntie’s lap playing with the novelty costume bangles, slipping them on and off her arms. Evie was delighted that the girls were bonding and enjoyed watching them before going outside and setting the bench table up. She had prepared a colourful salad for lunch under the vine leaf shade.
‘Oh, that food looks divine, Evie.’ Cally carried Charlotte out to the table and kept her on her lap. ‘You are such a sweetie, just like your mummy.’
Hearing such endearing words from her sister brought a lump to Evie’s throat. She collected the wine glasses and placed them on the table before nestling in the seat facing Cally. She swallowed a sip of wine and, blinking back tears, chopped food onto Charlotte’s plate.
Cally squeezed her niece and at the same time kissed her cheek repeatedly, before sitting her in her highchair at the end of the table.
Evie battled to control the tear escaping down her cheek. It splashed, staining the table. If her sister had seen it, then thankfully she wasn’t fussing. They ate in silence.
Cally’s rapid jerk startled her. Evie frowned as her sister glared at the bushes a few feet away.
‘Hello.’ Cally leaped out of her seat, gripping her knife and racing to a boundary hedge. Leaning forward and stretching out her neck, she called, ‘I know you’re there.’
‘Here, hold Charlotte,’ Cally said, dashing back to Evie who was now on her feet, stunned and holding out her arms. Cally extracted Charlotte from her highchair and passed her to her mum.
‘You be careful,’ Evie warned as she heard a rustling on the other side of the tall shrubs, then a thump.
She watched as her sister unlocked the front gate and raced down the side of the property, where a path led