The Runaway Woman. Josephine Cox

can often be worse than a physical injury.’

      ‘She’s started forgetting things, like putting food in the cooker and leaving it to burn. Last week she ran a bath and came downstairs, leaving the taps running. It was only when Dad saw the water dripping from the kitchen ceiling that he realised what she’d done. He phoned us, and Martin went round to check for any damage, but thankfully it wasn’t too bad once he’d dried it all out.’ Lucy went on, ‘I’m trying to persuade Mum to see the doctor, but she’s being difficult about it.’

      ‘You’re a good daughter,’ Mary told her, ‘and you’re right in persuading her to see a doctor. I’m sure it can be all sorted out.’

      Lucy hoped so. ‘I don’t know what’s happening, Mary. Just lately, it’s one thing after another.’

      In that moment, Mary thought of how things were worse than Lucy could possibly imagine, with her two-timing husband and her own sister having a full-blown affair. It was a wicked and shocking betrayal. After what she had witnessed the previous morning, the knowledge that those two were cheating on Lucy had been gnawing at her ever since.

      She was on the verge of telling Lucy what was going on behind her back, but then she remembered how Peter had been dead set against either of them getting involved.

      Mary, however, did not agree with sweeping it all under the table, and besides, she believed that Lucy deserved to know the truth. One way or another, she must make Lucy aware of what was going on. She had been agonising over it, but how could she tell Lucy without actually getting herself and Peter involved?

      While she thought of it now, a sudden, sneaky idea came to her. Yes! The answer was right there all the time.

      Lucy’s quiet voice jolted Mary out of her thoughts. ‘Mary, are you all right?’

      Startled, Mary looked up. ‘Oh, Lucy, I am sorry. Yes, I’m fine … I was just thinking.’

      Lucy understood. ‘I expect you’re tired, what with Rascal’s adventure and everything.’

      ‘You’re right. I was close to nodding off.’

      Mary bitterly regretted having to deceive Lucy, but it was the best way if she and Peter were not to be drawn in. But she had to do it now, in case it was a while before she saw Lucy again. ‘Lucy?’

      Lucy looked up from stroking the little dog. ‘Yes, Mary?’ When the older woman hesitated, Lucy sensed her nervousness. ‘What is it?’

      ‘Oh, I don’t suppose it’s anything really, only what with you saying you haven’t seen Paula for over a week, I was just wondering … is she all right?’

      ‘Well, yes … I think so, but what makes you ask?’

      ‘I’m sorry, Lucy, I really shouldn’t worry you … you’ve got enough to think about, what with your mother and such …’

      ‘Has Paula been a nuisance?’ Lucy asked. ‘I know how rude she can be if the mood takes her. Come on, Mary, out with it. What’s she done to upset you?’

      Mary was beginning to regret having started this conversation, but she held her resolve and continued with the deception. ‘Oh, no! She hasn’t upset me. In fact, we’re the best of neighbours at the minute; as long as my cat doesn’t get in her back garden and leave his mark.’ She went on, ‘Look, I don’t want to worry you, Lucy. It’s just that I had not seen her for a couple of days, but this morning as I passed her house she was talking to the postman and, to be honest, she looked so tired and pale … all kind of huddled up … not at all like the Paula we know.’

      ‘Oh dear.’ Lucy felt guilty. ‘She’s had a rough time of it lately, but I really thought she was dealing with her marriage break-up. The trouble is, our Paula hardly ever confides in anyone. She likes to think she’s invincible.’

      Lucy went back over the past few months in her mind. While Paula’s husband, Ray, had tried his hardest to keep the marriage together, Paula seemed to be hankering after a life without him and, as ever, she was her own worst enemy.

      ‘Paula was the one at fault in the marriage, but she wouldn’t listen,’ Lucy admitted. ‘She obviously thought that Ray would forgive her, however she behaved. When he walked away from it all, she was shocked to her roots, and it’s such a shame, because he idolised her. And deep down I know she truly loved him. But now you’ve got me worried, Mary. I must find time to go and see her … make sure she’s all right. The thing is, I planned to check on Mum tonight. You know she’s been upset and ill since the fall, and I thought me going over to see them might give Dad a little break. And tonight was ideal, what with Martin working late, and Sam off out with his mates.’

      The decision was made. ‘I’d best go and see Paula tonight, though. I mean, she’s the only one of us who doesn’t have anyone at home to talk things through with … not since Ray walked out. I can ring Dad from there. I’m sure he’ll understand.’

      Mary was curious. ‘Is Paula’s marriage well and truly over then?’

      ‘Well, yes. From what I understand, she’s been served with the divorce papers, but she’s taking her time to sign them. The trouble is, ever since Ray left, she was certain he would never serve the papers. She was convinced that the two of them would get back together. Receiving the papers knocked her back a bit, though, being Paula, she would never admit it.’

      A few minutes later, anxious to make sure her sister was coping, Lucy bade Mary cheerio and set off at a fast pace towards the bus stop, thinking that it wasn’t wise for Paula to show a brave face to the world when inside she must be devastated. No one could help her if she didn’t let them in. Lucy realised that her younger sister was still reeling from the end of her marriage. It was a huge, painful milestone in her life.

      Knowing her sister’s unpredictable character, Lucy quickened her steps.

      Having carefully manoeuvred his van into the narrow alcove, Martin went at the run down the alley, skipped up the two steps into Paula’s back garden, and let himself in through the back door.

      Having seen his approach through the back window, Paula hid behind the kitchen door and waited to surprise him. She was wearing only a short, slinky slip; and a disappointed frown.

      Entering the kitchen, Martin kicked out with his heel to shut the door. He then grabbed Paula and pressed her hard against the wall.

      ‘Ready for me, are you?’ His roving hands reached inside her slip.

      ‘Where the hell have you been?’ She pushed him away. ‘You should have been here ten minutes ago.’

      Surprised at the vehemence of her tone, he gathered her to him. ‘Hey! It couldn’t be helped,’ he explained softly. ‘I had a last-minute complication with the electrics. It won’t happen again, I promise.’

      ‘It had better not, because if you ever keep me waiting again, I’ll bolt the door so you can’t get in.’

      ‘You wouldn’t dare!’

      ‘Huh! Don’t bet on it!’ Squirming from his grasp, Paula fled up the stairs, laughing and teasing as he chased her into the bedroom.

      Anxious to speak with her younger sister, Lucy hurried down the street, her heels beating against the pavement as she neared the house. She thought of how Mary Taylor had described Paula as looking sad. Paula had best come and stay with me for a while, Lucy decided as she hurried along. It’s a pity she’s not full time at the petrol station because now it will give her more time to fret. I can’t leave her alone in that house, wittering and worrying, and making herself ill. But who can blame her for feeling miserable? What with the endless rows between her and Ray, then the difficult marriage break-up, and then getting sacked and having to find a new job.