The Age of Misadventure. Judy Leigh

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       Chapter Seven

      It’s past one o’clock. Bonnie’s hunched over a glass of brandy in the lounge. She’s in my favourite armchair, staring out of the French windows at the patch of lawn outside, wrapped in a thick dressing gown, my striped pyjamas and a pair of my old fluffy slippers. The bracelet still encircles her wrist, the little charms winking in the light. Jade’s in her cream coat, standing by the windows, frowning with her arms tightly folded. She reminds me so much of Terry.

      ‘Go on then, Mum. Tell me I’m being stupid.’

      Bonnie’s face is anxious and tired, stripped of make-up. She bites her lip.

      ‘You have to follow your heart, love. It’s the only thing.’ She thinks for a moment. ‘But look where that’s got me. Well, maybe you’ll have more luck, Jade. Of course you will. I mean, Demi’s happy. She and Kyle are in Phuket. She sent me some pictures. I’m so glad she’s away from all this …’ Her face freezes. She’s thinking of Adie, of her escape in the taxi.

      I stare from Bonnie to Jade and realise I haven’t spoken. I don’t know what to say to my daughter, which is unusual, so I just mutter, ‘I’ll support whatever you want to do, Jade.’

      Her face clouds. I’ve said the wrong thing. ‘Can’t you just be happy for me, Mum?’

      I slide from the chair and go over to her, wrap my arms round her. Her shoulders stiffen.

      ‘I’m happy for you, love. It’s only …’

      ‘You think it’s too soon?’ She pulls back and her eyes blaze.

      I start to yawn and wish I hadn’t. She’ll think I’m bored. I’m so tired my bones ache.

      ‘Jade, you and Luis love each other. I can see why you want to move to Brighton to be with him. Of course. You’re smart, talented, sophisticated, beautiful.’ She rolls her violet eyes. ‘You’ll have a great life there. Of course I’m happy for you.’

      Bonnie gives a dry laugh, but her face is sad. ‘You’ll be fine. You won’t mess up like your mum did. Like I’ve done.’

      Tears start and she sucks the dregs from the brandy glass. I fill it halfway and she brings it to her lips. I offer a small glass to Jade and pour one for myself.

      Jade sidles over to her. ‘You’ll be okay, Aunty Bonnie.’

      Bonnie takes a breath and forces a smile. ‘I hope you’ll be lucky in love, Jade.’ She breathes out. ‘You’re off to start a new chapter of your life with your lovely young man. And I …’ A tear tipples from her eye and she dabs it away. ‘I’m about to end a chapter with my wicked old man.’ A laugh bubbles in her throat. ‘So, cheers to you and to me. In fact, cheers to all three of us.’

      ‘Bring it on,’ I grin and our glasses chime together.

      Suddenly, there’s a rap at the door, loud and insistent. It can only be one person. Bonnie leaps up and runs off like a wild-eyed rabbit to hide upstairs, swiping her handbag from the table and, as an afterthought, taking her glass of brandy with her.

      I tweak the door open. His face is grey in shadow.

      ‘Let me in, Georgie.’

      I keep the door slightly ajar.

      ‘I’m in my pyjamas, Adie. For God’s sake.’

      ‘Where’s Bonnie?’ Then he’s in, looking round the reception area for signs of her. ‘Is she here?’

      He charges up to the kitchen. Jade and I are behind him. I check that Bonnie hasn’t left anything and breathe out.

      ‘No, Adie, she’s not here. Do you never talk to her? Wherever would she be at this time of night?’

      Jade stands behind me.

      Adie stares round the room. ‘She must be here …’ He rushes from the kitchen to the lounge, stares out of the French windows at the raised garden.

      I follow him.

      ‘She’s not.’ I make my voice low. ‘What the hell’s going on, Adie?’

      He shakes his head: I think he’s going to cry. I hope not.

      ‘She’s gone.’

      ‘Where?’ I put my hands on my hips in a Haka stance and think about thrusting my tongue out but decide against it. ‘Where’s my sister?’

      He says nothing so I grab his arm.

      ‘Adie, I’m going to call the police.’

      He snatches at my wrist and holds it too hard.

      ‘No. Don’t do that.’

      Jade says, ‘Get off my mum.’

      I pull my arm away. ‘Where is she, then?’

      His face blanches even more.

      ‘She’s not at home. I’m worried about her. Something’s happened.’

      ‘To Bonnie? What have you done, Adie?’ I raise my phone, a sign of intent.

      ‘Georgie, I’m in a bit of trouble. I owe a man some money. I think he came to the house …’

      I gasp. Jade does the same behind me. I’m suddenly relieved that Bonnie’s upstairs. I breathe out.

      ‘You should phone the police.’

      ‘I can’t. I have to find Bonnie.’

      ‘Do you have any idea where she might be?’

      He’s miserable. ‘I hoped she might be here. I got home an hour ago. Someone had broken in, been through the things in my office, and Bonnie was missing.’

      I fold my arms. ‘I’m worried now, Adie.’

      He nods, licks thin lips. ‘She hasn’t taken her coat but her handbag’s gone. I’m just worried. I’m having a few problems with a business deal and now she’s missing.’

      ‘Adie, what on earth have you done?’

      ‘Nothing I can’t sort out.’

      His elbows move out from his body, he stands taller. He’s recovering his poise.

      I wonder what to do, how to get him out of the house. Then his phone buzzes and he grabs it from his pocket.

      ‘It’s a text. From Bonnie.’

      Jade puts a steady hand on my shoulder.

      I frown. ‘Where is she, Adie?’ My mind’s accelerating. She’s probably under the bed.

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