‘Yesh… it’s very flowery now. I like it a lot.’ Collapsing into a heap, Candy lay down next to the grave that was covered in ribbons and carnations.
Flopping by her side, Violetta lay prostrate in her bridesmaid dress, red Dr Marten boots poking out the bottom, her eyes closing against the early evening sun. When the vicar discovered them later, he drove Candy home and then took Violetta to the golf club where the evening reception was in full swing. Her mother was already out of her mind with worry and really didn’t need the disapproving looks from the vicar or to hear that he’d be sending her the valeting bill after Candy had vomited over the back seat of his car and Violetta, too, going by the state her dress.
The following afternoon Rosina turned up at Appleton. She and Lou wanted to say goodbye before they set off on their honeymoon to Tenby but first, after bursting into the kitchen she tore a strip off her sleepy, hungover sister.
‘What the hell do you think you were playing at, stealing my flowers from the church and putting them onhisgrave, of all places?’ Rosina was leaning on the table opposite Violetta who was sipping water.
‘It was just a prank, a bit of a laugh and you didn’t need them after the wedding so what’s the problem?’
‘Oh, a prank. Well, that’s okay then! The problem, Vi, is that I’d promised the flowers to the vicar’s wife who was going to give them to the old folks’ home. You are so bloody selfish and you can sodding well pay for that wine you pinched because I’m not.’ Rosina stood straight and folded her arms, glaring at her sister just as her mum and gran came rushing into the room.
Violetta gave a shrug of her shoulders. ‘Oh, stop going on. You’re just pissed off cos I put them on dad’s grave so stop making out it’s all about the old biddies. I put them there to include him in the day because nobody else mentioned him, as usual. Don’t you think he would’ve liked to be part of his eldest and mostperfectdaughter’s day?’
Rosina slammed her hands onto the tabletop, her face puce. ‘Oh, for God’s sake do not turn this into another “poor dad” speech! It’s pathetic. And actually no, I don’t think he’d have been too bothered about missing it, unless you count the booze because, just like you, he’d have loved knocking it back and ruining my day.’
At this point Carmen stepped forward and intervened. ‘Rosina, that’s enough, love. I know you’re annoyed but let’s not spoil what’s been a lovely weekend – and you need to get going. Lou’s waiting in the car.’
‘Well, he’ll have to wait a bit longer, Mum, because I’ve had just about enough of pandering to Vi and her hero worshipping. It’s about time she knew the truth. If she’s big enough to get pissed and steal things she’s big enough to face some facts.’
Violetta’s head snapped up in time to see her gran place a hand on her mum’s arm, as if preventing her from silencing Rosina.
‘What do you mean, “face some facts”?’ Violetta felt as though she’d been slapped. They’d been lying about something. All this time, her family had been keeping secrets.
Temper flaring, she stood and just like Rosina banged her fists on the table, addressing her sister, rage flowing through her veins as she shouted across the table. ‘Go on then, Mrs Wonderful, tell me all about my big bad dad, go on, go on!’
Not missing a beat, Rosina did exactly that. ‘He was a drunk, a slob and a bully who was too handy with his fists, okay. He beat Mum black and blue for years, even when she was pregnant and before he died started taking his temper out on me, too. He was a nasty, spiteful man who had no time for any of us, apart from you because you were the only one who still liked him. He didn’t even want our Leo to be born. I’m sorry, Vi, but it’s true.’
The only sound in the kitchen was the clock ticking as Violetta looked from one to another and when her mum and gran failed to dispute Rosina’s words, she knew without a doubt that her sister was telling the truth. Her heart plummeted, her legs gave way and she sat.
And as quickly as her temper had flared, it dissipated. All the resentment that she’d kept trapped inside began to seep away, replaced by a glimmer of understanding. What they’d done was kind, keeping secrets because they loved her. Now she knew why they never joined in. It made sense. She wasn’t cross with them, not anymore, and it felt quite nice, to let it go.
Her mum put it all into perspective as she came and sat by Violetta’s side, taking her hand. ‘No matter what we knew, you were entitled to your memories and I’m glad you have them, I truly am, despite how he behaved towards us. You must understand that.’
Next, Granny Sylvia. ‘And you were so good with little Leo, passing on your stories and giving her a sense of belonging, a little bit of knowledge about a dad she never met. It was hard for us to do that, knowing what we did, so we were grateful that you were there to fill in the gaps.’
Rosina spoke next, but softly this time. ‘But you’re so angry, Vi, all the time and it has to stop because it’s spoiling the lovely person you are inside. I don’t know if you’re mad at us for not being in Team Dad, or mad at him for dying but whatever it is please don’t let it wreck your future. Talk to us and let us help. We all love you so much even though you are a complete pain in the bum.’ Rosina had come around the table and had placed her arm around her sister who accepted the gesture willingly.
Wrapping her arms around Rosina’s waist she rested her head against her stomach and before the tears escaped, made amends. ‘I’m sorry, Rosie, for being a pillock at your wedding and being angry all the time. I’ll buy some new flowers for the old folks’ home and take them up, but I might have to pay for the wine next month cos I’m skint. Is that okay?’
When Rosina laughed and said it was fine, she’d pay for the wine, Violetta burst into tears and was shushed by her mum while Granny Sylvia put the kettle on and Lou wandered in, saw what was going on and backed straight out again.
Later, once Rosina had gone off on her honeymoon and Granny Sylvia had gone to bed, Violetta and her mum had a conversation that was long overdue. All the questions were answered and a jumbled past laid to rest. And if one good thing came out of being the flower-stealing-chief-bridesmaid-from-hell, Violetta decided that she’d had enough of being a pain in the arse and the rebel of the family. When college started a few weeks later she finally knuckled down, determined to make her mum and all of them, proud.
Present day
The buzz of Violetta’s upside-down phone brought her slap back to the present and as she tentatively turned it over, read the message on the screen which only confirmed what she’d known all along. Men were bastards and they could all just fuck off.
Appleton history proved her theory. Not just that, Violetta lived in the real world where nobody was perfect. Her real job had taught her that. She was becoming jaded and didn’t believe she would ever find an honourable family man. Someone without demons, who worked hard, would never stray or let her down. A man who would carry Darcy on strong shoulders and care for her as if he were his own. That’s what she aimed for – yet all around her, every day, she saw shining examples of why it was far better to remain single. She and Darcy were fine as they were.
10
Carmen
Appleton Farm, Cheshire
Present day
The storm that had battered all four walls of Appleton Farm was slowly moving away, southwards towards the Shropshire Hills, lighting up the sky in the distance as it bade farewell to the Cheshire Plain with a two-flash encore.
