Eighteen

Ava

Ingrid was totally loving this. She had a look on her face that was almost exactly like the expression I’d seen on Marsha Gale when she let off the fire extinguisher in the physics lab one dull day at school: the sort of glee that people feel when they’re being destructive.

Mum had gone very pale. She said, ‘Mark never said anything about Paula having a child.’

‘I know, dear. I’m sorry, I know it must come as a shock. I know he has wanted to tell you many times. It’s an extremely painful subject, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate.’

Mum said, ‘But… how old is this child?’

‘She would be six now, I believe,’ Ingrid said. ‘I haven’t seen her since she was a baby. But I hear about her from time to time. As you know, Paula’s still living in the house she shared with Mark. I know people who know people in the town. And the child is quite… conspicuous.’

‘Then Paula would have had her when she was still married to Mark,’ Mum said. ‘Are you telling me this is Mark’s child?’

‘Probably,’ Ingrid said calmly. ‘Not that we know for sure. She was unfaithful to him. Did you know that?’ She paused, took in Mum’s uncomfortable expression and went on. ‘It’s good that he told you. He didn’t say anything to me until after the marriage was over. And then she was the one who wanted him to leave. She has made it absolutely impossible for him to have any contact with the child. Of course he’s heartbroken about it. But it’s difficult enough to build a relationship with a child like that if you’re around them all the time. If you’re only permitted to see them occasionally, and the other parent is hostile…’ She pulled a face and drew her finger across her throat. ‘But in a way, from your point of view, it’s just as well, isn’t it? I don’t suppose being a stepmother is easy at the best of times, and I suspect you wouldn’t want a child with behavioural problems anywhere near your new baby.’

‘Does she… have behavioural problems?’ Mum had instinctively moved her hands to her tummy, as if to protect the baby there.

‘Oh, yes. Quite severe, I believe. Can I get you some more water, dear? Or I’ve some nice Bath biscuits, if you’d like something to nibble on? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.’

‘I’m all right, thank you. I’m just… it’s a lot to take in. And I’m not sure now is the best time…’

‘The girls both needed to know,’ Ingrid said. ‘I don’t believe in beating around the bush. It’s hardly more shocking than the news they’ve already had to absorb, is it?’

Mum swallowed. ‘I have to speak to Mark about all this. Privately.’

‘Talk to him if you must, but tread carefully, won’t you? None of this need have any bearing on his life with you. It’s just a mistake he made. A big one. A detour.’ She looked at Mum, then at me. ‘You’re his fresh start. You’re the route he should have taken all along.’