Roses Aren't Everything: Chapter 18: The Climber
...Rosalie didn't need to know the truth. Nobody needed to know the truth. This was something she had to do for herself … for her own self-respect as a woman...
Ingrid, a lady facing important decisions, is about to make what could be a life-changing visit.
Leanne Hunt continues her novel set in an evolving South Africa, the central character of which is a woman whose life has reached a crossroads.
Following Debbie's examination by Dr Pienaar, Ingrid drove to Muller’s Pharmacy to fill her prescription for anti-inflammatories and painkillers. Debbie's initial excitement about her swollen ankle had waned and given way to mild shock, so she had in mind to buy her a cool drink and chocolate bar at the same time. However, first she needed to put a call through to Beth.
“Hi, it’s me.," she said, unlatching her seatbelt and reaching for her handbag. "Debbie’s ankle is sprained, not fractured, thank goodness. She’s a bit shaken up, but still keen to come over tonight as planned. Is it still okay with you?”
Beth hesitated. “You haven’t changed your mind about going to Johannesburg then?"
Ingrid looked away from Debbie, conscious of her jaw clenching. “No. Why should I have?”
"Well," said Beth warily, "considering how hard it's been for you with Warren away and all that …" Her voice trailed off, and Ingrid could imagine her toying with her earring uncertainly.
“I have to collect our roses before the nursery closes for Christmas," said Ingrid emphatically. "You must remember. We discussed it yesterday.”
“I know, but ....” Beth lowered her voice as if someone else was in the room. “When I left the Clinic this morning, I suddenly put two and two together. You’re going to see that guy, aren’t you?”
“Hold on a minute.” Ingrid signalled to Debbie that she was going into the pharmacy and for her to lock the door after her. She got out of the car, clutching the cell phone to her ear. “I have no choice, Beth. I told you. If I don’t go tomorrow, the nursery will close and we’ll have to wait till January to get the stock.”
There was a pause. Then Beth inquired pensively, “Can’t Alice go?”
"No, she can’t!” Ingrid almost shouted the words. Then, dropping her voice, she went on, “Alice can’t take this summer heat. She’s okay to drive alone in winter, but she would have to take Dad with her if she went tomorrow, and he’s busy with other things.”
“Couldn’t she take Tracey?” Beth ventured. “Maybe your sister-in-law and this guy would hit it off and get together.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Ingrid thrust Debbie’s prescription at the pharmacist and tried to make her tone sound reasonable . “It’s a business trip, Beth. Trust me. I’m not going to do anything stupid." There were several other people waiting at the dispensary counter. A teenage boy looked at her curiously, but she gave him a cold stare and he looked away.
“All right, all right,” said Beth. Her tone was resigned. “I do trust you. But be careful.”
Ignoring this last comment, Ingrid said deliberately, “Caroline is helping the Sunday School children with their nativity play. They have a rehearsal this afternoon. She should be finished around five, so I’ll drop both girls with you at about quarter past.”
That night, the house seemed very quiet, almost as if it were anticipating what was about to happen. Ingrid knew she was taking a step that could significantly alter her future, but she felt only slightly ambivalent about it. Doing something bold and decisive in the face of all the cover-ups that had taken place in her life made her feel as if she were in control for the first time since the discovery of Tracey's birth certificate. She waited until the girl was safely inside her own room for the night, then called up her emails.
To her delight, there was one from Rosalie. She apologised for her lapse in correspondence with a perfectly valid excuse:
"Of course, we’ve been attending that church conference I told you about. It really is amazing … There are about 500 people attending. I will have more time to write after Thursday, which is when the conference ends.
"Meanwhile, I agree that you have to explore all options in case of a family crisis. I do remember you telling me before how sweet this Carl Meier is ... Even so, knowing how much you love Steelesbury, I hope it will never be necessary for you to leave."
Ingrid smiled. Rosalie was a whole lot more supportive than Beth. She must be equating Carl with the nice next-door neighbour who had helped them after their arrival in Auckland. Rosalie and Neil had been struggling to shop for a second-hand car and, seeing their plight, the next-door neighbour had come gallantly to the rescue. He had spent an entire day taking them to various dealers around the city until they found a car that was suitable. By all accounts, it had been the beginning of a solid friendship.
knowing Rosalie, she was probably hoping that Carl represented a safe harbour for Ingrid and the girls. Well, Ingrid told herself, that was fine. Rosalie didn't need to know the truth. Nobody needed to know the truth. This was something she had to do for herself … for her own self-respect as a woman … and to hell with the consequences.
**
To read earlier chapters of this novel please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/roses_arent_everything/
