At Home With The Templetons (15 page)

Hope was having none of it. ‘I mean, what did we even know about him, apart from the fact he was an expert in antiques? It’s shopkeeping, isn’t it, at the end of the day? He’s a salesman. I asked around. The same story every time. “Henry Templeton? Oh, we adore him. So charming. So handsome. Such good manners. So generous.” Too good to be true, in my opinion. And I was right. He took his time, but I knew it would happen.’

‘Knew what would happen?’

Hope gave a sinuous stretch, reminding Nina immediately of a cat. An exotic cat, like a Siamese. Hope took another large sip of her drink before staring at Nina. ‘There’s no delicate way to put it. He made a pass at me.’

‘Henry did?’

‘Don’t look so innocent. You’re a grown woman with a child. You didn’t find it.in the cabbage patch, did you? You must know what happens to a couple’s sex life after children arrive. Where is your husband? Don’t bother. I don’t want to hear. You grew apart, he left you for another woman, blah blah blah, the usual old story. Or the other even more tedious reply. “We decided to stick together for the sake of the children.” You decided not to go down that boring old road, obviously. Well done. Once the trust is gone, there’s no regaining it, you know.’ She gave a low laugh. ‘I should know. And Eleanor must know now. How could she not know? Answer me that.’

‘I’m sorry. Know what?’

‘That Henry and I have been having an affair for years.’ Nina couldn’t hide her shock.

‘Oh, for God’s sake, don’t be so surprised. Eleanor was never as interested in sex as me. I’d hear them arguing about it. The first time Henry and I slept together, we were both drunk. That was our excuse, but it was lust as much as wine. Too fast the first time. Better the second. And after that, quite marvellous. It’s the guilt, of course. The world’s best aphrodisiac. That’s why so many people have affairs. Sex is sex when you come down to it. It’s what happens before and afterwards that provides the thrill. How could I do it to my own sister? That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?’

Nina blinked. Yes, that was one of the many things she was thinking. She opened her mouth, about to say that what had happened between Hope and her sister was their business, when Hope began talking again.

‘I used to meet him in London mostly. They lived in Brighton at the time. Or was it Yorkshire? They were always moving, two years here, three years there. Hard enough on one’s own, let alone with children. Though that’s why she became interested in the whole notion of home education. I’m talking about the two older children. The two youngest hadn’t arrived yet.’ Hope gave an unpleasant laugh. ‘Unsurprising there was a long break between them. Henry used to tell me only a miracle would get Eleanor pregnant again. She was always too tired. Too busy. Who can blame him for going elsewhere? I wasn’t the only one in his extra-curricular life, either. His work was such great cover, you see -

‘ She glared at Nina, in a way that made Nina feel as though she was on her property, not the other way around. ‘What was your name again?’

Nina told her.

Hope

nodded, as if it confirmed something she’d suspected. ‘He spent all his days in grand houses, charming widows and innocent young women. They were his best customers. He can be so persuasive, you see. He has a way of talking that makes you feel as though you’re the most interesting, most beautiful, most important person to enter his life. And he really knows his subject too. That’s very attractive in a man.’

‘His subject?’

‘The antique business. Henry’s great skill is his eye for beauty. Beauty of value, of course. I went with him once on a buying trip to Scotland. Not that Eleanor knew I was there. Henry and I pretended I was his secretary. All the more spice later. I followed him around this draughty old house, up and down staircases, and by the end of it the addled old woman who owned it would have handed the whole place and all it contained to him. But do you know what he bought from her? Two items. A big old wardrobe that he exclaimed over and then a small vase that he barely seemed to notice, almost as if it was an afterthought. And of course it was the vase that was valuable. Worth tens of thousands of pounds, while the wardrobe was worthless. I think he used it for firewood. Our first affair didn’t last long. A year, less perhaps. I called a halt to it. I didn’t want what he was offering, if the truth be told. He talked of divorcing Eleanor, the two of us running away together. Completely ridiculous. He knew I was going cold on him. Eleanor had started to guess around then, too, I’m sure of it. She started coming with him on all his visits. I certainly never told her what had happened between Henry and me. It was a mistake, as far as I was concerned. And years went by, as I said, before it happened again, just a few weeks after I arrived here. I wonder, was it a fear of death that made Henry approach me again? They say that men in their forties think of death more often than they used to think of sex.’ She laughed then, a sudden noise, too loud. ‘Henry clearly thinks about both. Eleanor was away in Melbourne, down trying to convince that boarding school to take on Charlotte. Best place for her. She’s an arrogant brat, has been from the moment she could speak. As for Audrey, all she cares about is herself - but I was telling you about Henry, wasn’t I?’

Nina nodded, not daring to speak.

‘Henry begged me to come here, you know. Begged me. “I need you, Hope,” he said. And it wasn’t about the garden. He knew that. I knew that. An attraction as strong as ours doesn’t die. It stays dormant. That’s the word, isn’t it?’

Again, Nina only dared to nod.

‘There’s a curiosity, isn’t there, about someone you’ve slept with in your younger days. Especially if it was good. Wonderful, in fact. You always wonder, what would it be like to try it one more time? For old time’s sake? Especially if that spark of attraction is still there. And it was, from the second I arrived here. The two of us in the Hall together, me doing all I could in the garden, while Henry had I don’t know how many builders working round the clock. He needed me. And of course all that time the sexual tension was building between us. So delicious. It started with stolen kisses. It’s always sexier like that, don’t you think? Like a series of courses in an elaborate banquet, little bite-size pieces, the pleasure building and building between ‘

Nina didn’t want to hear any more. Out of nowhere, she remembered her first and only sighting of Eleanor, recalled liking her face, her expression, the look of humour in her eyes. What had seemed like good gossip to pass on to Hilary now felt tawdry and salacious. She stood up. ‘Would you like me to drive you home?’ ‘Home?’ The haughty tone returned instantly. ‘I’m not going back there tonight.’

You’re not staying here either, Nina thought. ‘My car’s just outside. I’ll have you home in five minutes. Or I can ring the Hall and they can collect you if you like.’ Nina didn’t really want either situation. She wasn’t sure if she’d manage to get Hope into her car. As for one of the Templetons coming here to collect Hope … no, Nina didn’t want that either, especially now she knew so much about them.

Hope surprised her then by suddenly sitting upright. ‘Do you have a bath?’

‘A bath?’

‘Yes, a bath. I’m sorry. I’m upset. If I could just have a bath, I’ll be fine.’

Nina pictured Hope slipping under the water. Falling asleep in the tub. Being there in the morning when Tom arrived back. ‘There’s something wrong with it,’ she improvised.

‘A shower, then?’ ‘A shower?’

‘I have to go home. But I think if I freshen up before I go, I’ll feel much better. Please.’

Nina was thrown by this new reasonable Hope. In truth, she’d rather Hope didn’t see the bathroom. It badly needed renovating and Tom’s cricket whites were soaking in the bath. Not that she thought Hope would notice.

‘Where is it? I’ll be quick,’ Hope said, standing up and steadying herself after just the briefest of sways.

Nina made her decision. ‘Let me just get it ready.’

‘Thank you. You’re very kind.’ Hope sat herself down again, once more with a controlled combination of grace and tipsy unsteadiness.

In the bathroom, Nina quickly emptied the bath of Tom’s clothes, sluiced the shower, grabbed fresh towels, wiped the mirror, put out new soap. It took her less than five minutes. When she went back to the living room, Hope was gone.

‘Hope?’ she called.

She checked the kitchen. The bedrooms. Under the beds. The laundry. No sign of her. She went outside, calling Hope’s name. Nothing. Where could she have gone? As she came around the side garden, Nina thought of her car. She had a bad habit of leaving her keys in the ignition. She ran to the driveway. The car was still there.

‘Hope?’ she called again. She had to be nearby. She can’t have got far in those heels.

Nina saw

her then, barely visible in the moonlight, walking unsteadily down the road that led to the main highway. There wasn’t time to worry whether she was over the limit herself. She got into the car and was pulling alongside Hope less than a minute later. She opened her door and ran around, catching up with Hope, half expecting her to lash out or collapse on the ground.

Hope did neither. She just directed a confident stare at Nina, as if she hadn’t just made a run for it in the middle of the night wearing high red shoes. ‘I want you to take me to the police station. I’ve decided to make a formal complaint.’

‘Against me?’

‘Against the thieves who’ve been taking all my plants.’ ‘Please, Hope, get in the car. I’ll take you home.’

‘No. Take me to the police station.’ ‘I don’t think that’s a good id-‘ ‘Please. Please, Nina. I need your help.’

It was the use of her name that softened Nina’s resolve. With one hand on the other woman’s sleeve, she guided Hope towards the passenger seat, manoeuvred her in with some difficulty and fastened her seatbelt. Hope was now sobbing.

‘I really think it would be better to drive you home,’ Nina tried again. ‘You could go to the police another time. When you’re …’ How to put it? Sober? ‘A little less tired.’

The sobs stopped. ‘Forget it. I’ll find my own way.’

Hope reached for the door handle as Nina was starting the engine. Just as quickly, Nina reached across and pulled it shut. To her relief, Hope didn’t fight her, just began crying again, covering her face with her hands.

Nina hesitated again. If she took Hope to the police station now, word would be all around the area within hours. But then, when weren’t people in the local area talking about the Templetons? And what was the alternative? If she did start driving her home, there was every chance Hope would leap out while the car was moving. If they did make it safely, Nina wasn’t sure she wanted to be witness to the homecoming scene either.

‘The police station it is, then,’ she said, more cheerfully than she felt.

‘Why am I coming too?’ Gracie said, a week later, as she, Henry and Spencer walked down the driveway towards the farmhouse several paddocks away.

‘To make a good impression,’ Henry said. ‘That face of yours could melt icebergs.’

‘But I only met Tom once.’

‘And now you’ll have met him twice. Remember to smile, Gracie. You too, Spencer. Use every drop of family charm and before the end of the day, we’ll have a friend for you, Spencer, or my name isn’t Henry Charles Templeton.’

‘The third,’ Gracie said. ‘The third,’ Henry agreed.

In her house, Nina was panicking. There was no other word for it. Answering the phone to Henry Templeton was one thing, but before she’d got over that shock, he’d invited himself over. There was something he needed to discuss, he said to her, in the deep, cultured tone she remembered from the day of the fete. Realising it was about Hope, she agreed to a visit.

‘Thank you, Nina,’ he said. ‘These things are much better face to face. We’ll see you shortly.’

She didn’t have time to ask who he meant by ‘we’ before he hung up. Himself and Eleanor? Henry and Eleanor and Hope, dragged along to apologise? How was Nina going to be able to sit with all three of them and act as if everything was normal? Pretend she heard stories of affairs like theirs every week and they didn’t bother her in the slightest?

There wasn’t time to ring Hilary to ask her advice. She was too busy tidying the house, sweeping the kitchen floor and cursing the fact she worked from home, which meant the living room was taken up with her easels and canvases and paints.

She called Tom three times from the front verandah but he didn’t answer. She went to the very bottom of their garden and called again. He was building a tree house, he’d told her that morning. She just didn’t know in which tree. There were hundreds of them in the paddocks around their house. He finally heard her the fourth time.

‘Tom, come home. Quick!’ ‘What’s wrong?’

‘The Templetons are coming. The father and some others.’ A minute passed before Tom came into sight. He looked like he’d been rolling in dust. ‘So what? They’re just people.’

‘No, they’re not.’

‘They are. I’ve met them.’

He ambled towards her. She had to stop herself from shouting at him to hurry up. ‘Quick. Go inside and comb your hair.’ He ran his hands through his hair, sending up spikes. ‘No. And I’m not changing either.’ He grinned. ‘Mum, calm down.’ ‘I am calm.’ In her room, Nina caught sight of herself in the wardrobe mirror. She wasn’t in the least bit calm. She was a cross between overexcited and wild-eyed. What had got into her? Why was she in such a state? She stopped, told herself to breathe deeply and relax. It was just her neighbours calling by. The neighbours she’d done her best to avoid. The neighbours she’d rung and shouted at just a month before when Tom went missing. The neighbours she’d learnt far too much about from a drunken Hope just a few days earlier ..

. She heard the sound of footsteps on the verandah.

The neighbours who were now at her front door.

Tom got to them first. He was very relaxed. ‘Hi, Spencer. Hi, Gracie. Hi, Henry.’

‘Mr Templeton, Tom, not Henry,’ Nina said behind him, trying to hide her surprise that he’d brought his children with him to discuss a subject like Hope.