‘So, let me get this right,’ Oliver says, staring in disbelief at his wife. ‘You’ve accepted a job and will be moving to London.’
It’s Deanna looking for a property, not Sammy!
‘Only for part of the week, Ollie,’ says Deanna, nervously fingering the property details in her hands. Digging deep, she attempts to maintain her trademark cool. ‘I’ll be at home all day Sundays and won’t have to go in again until Monday afternoons.’
‘Tell me, Deanna, just how do you think that’s going to work for the family?’
Despite her resolve, Deanna blinks rapidly. ‘The family’s growing up fast and it’s time they realised their mother is also a career woman. Anyway, they’re used to you hardly ever being here.’
Oliver runs a hand through his hair. ‘Deanna, as we’ve discussed, I’m all for you finding something fulfilling, but I didn’t expect you to break up the family and move away in order to do that.’
‘Ollie, I’m not breaking up the family. Cast your mind back – was I, or was I not, training to be a stage manager when we first met?’ She places the sales brochures on the kitchen counter.
‘That was over twenty years ago!’ Oliver exclaims. ‘Life evolves and yours moved in a different direction.’
‘Even though it was years ago,’ says Deanna patiently, ‘I’ve never lost sight of what I could have achieved in the theatre. Now that I’ve been offered the chance to do exactly what I trained for I’m not going to turn it down.’ She thrusts out her chin defiantly.
‘How do you honestly think this will work?’
‘Are you telling me I have to decline the job?’ Deanna asks.
‘Of course not. You know I wouldn’t force you to do anything,’ Oliver says, the strain clear in his voice.
Deanna considers her husband. It’s true. She has done anything she’s ever wanted.
‘Listen, Oliver, I’ve been offered a second chance and I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by. Anyway, you’ve been swanning around the globe for years enjoying yourself. It’s time I had some fun.’
Oliver groans. How many times do they have to go over that old ground?
‘Don’t forget it’s my international career that provides us with the lifestyle we enjoy,’ he says carefully. ‘In order to maintain it, there’s no choice but to continue what I do.’
‘But, Ollie,’ Deanna says sweetly, ‘by my accepting this job I’ve given you the chance to have a choice.’ Oliver stares at his wife, hardly recognising the woman standing before him. ‘Anyway,’ she continues airily, ‘Charlie only has another year at school and then he’ll be away at university. And, let’s face it, he’s hardly at home these days; always staying over with friends.’
‘But what about Sebastian and Jamie? It’s several years before they reach that stage.’
‘I’ve already thought about that. If you have to be away on a job they can stay with me in London, or they can weekly board. There are numerous solutions, Oliver. Stop making such a mountain…’ Deanna busies herself clearing away the dirty breakfast dishes.
Oliver watches his wife. Experience has taught him that when Deanna has made up her mind there’s no turning her, but he wonders how long this idea has been brewing. Since his return from Cornwall, their relationship hasn’t been what it was, despite attempts at rebuilding it, but he hadn’t realised the distance between them was quite so cavernous.
‘It probably won’t affect Sebastian too much, being the resilient lad that he is, but aren’t you worried what your absence will do to Jamie?’ Oliver asks, thinking of their youngest son, so quiet and fragile.
Deanna strengthens her resolve. She can feel her success – it’s within touching distance – but Jamie is the only cause for deliberation. ‘He will be fine. Pins says it will bring another element to his life; one that will probably be the making of him.’
‘What the hell has it got to do with him?’ says Oliver angrily. Taking a deep breath, he continues, ‘It seems to me, Deanna, for someone who prides herself on being so independent, this Pins has quite a hold over you.’ His voice is dangerously low.
Deanna doesn’t say a word. She, too, is shocked at her infatuation with the charismatic man.
The tick of the kitchen clock is unnaturally loud as it fills the void of silence between husband and wife.
Is this a taste of our future – a cold, sterile house that should be filled with laughter and loving mayhem? Oliver shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the feeling.
‘Oliver, I really want this job and I’m not going to retract my acceptance,’ Deanna says firmly. Turning away, she starts to stack the dishwasher.
Oliver looks out of the window. A weak sun rises in a pale blue sky and high above the treetops a pair of buzzards circle.
‘OK, Deanna. We will try it your way. I want you to be happy and if this is what it takes, then we will give it a go.’
Deanna turns again and smiles at her husband. ‘Thank you, darling. I knew you’d come around.’ She makes a move to kiss him.
Oliver holds up his hands, blocking his wife. ‘But, if Jamie shows the slightest signs of floundering you must promise to be flexible and reshape your life so that he is not compromised.’
‘Of course. You don’t think I’d toy with his frailties, do you?’
‘To be frank, I don’t know what you’d do any more.’
‘Oh, Ollie, of course you do. You know me through and through. I’d never play with our children’s lives. What a silly thing to say.’ Placing her hands on his shoulders, Deanna drops a soft kiss on her husband’s lips.
‘So, let’s have a look at these properties,’ Oliver says.
Deanna passes him the brochures, surprised that he’s taking it so well. She thought he’d put up more of a fight.
Oliver flicks through the half-dozen sales particulars. ‘Which one’s it to be? Egerton Gardens, Hans Crescent, Ebury Street, Artillery Mansions, Denbigh Street or, perhaps, Grosvenor Waterside?’
‘I haven’t made up my mind,’ Deanna says.
Oliver fixes his wife with a stare. ‘Do let me know when you have. You see, I have my own plans to make.’
‘What do you mean?’ Deanna asks, aware of a slight quaver in her voice.
‘Just that.’
Oliver inhales deeply and steadies his breathing. He is so disappointed and angry… not just with his wife, but also with himself. He has sacrificed so much to still be here. He will never forgive her the underhand tactics of using Jamie to ensure he did just that. And he feels so lonely, but it’s not loneliness from being alone. It’s loneliness from being so far removed from himself; so far from the man he once had the chance to be. He has traded his whole identity and sacrificed his entire life to still be here. He knows it’s the depression making him think this way, but he can’t shake off the feeling that this is all his life will ever be. Will he have the strength to force himself through yet another day? He is so drained. He yearns for the things that bring nurture to his tired body and soul, and he longs to journey back to his own heart.
‘As I said, Deanna, I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know when you have made up your mind.’ He hands his wife the property details.
Without further discussion, Oliver makes his way to his study and closes the door firmly behind him. Walking to the fireplace, he gazes up at Cara’s paintings. As usual, something about her brushstrokes soothes his troubled soul. He turns away and approaches his desk, switches on the computer and searches the Internet. Then, picking up the phone, Oliver makes the call.
‘Hello, is that By the Sea Property Finders? I’m looking for a house in Cornwall on the Lizard Peninsula and I’d like you to find it for me.’