Chapter 3: Lori - The Foster Child

‘How much longer, Lori?’ Jacob asks, an irritated edge to his voice.

He insisted on driving us down tonight, although I warned him that there would be a lot of traffic – as you’d expect Friday rush hour.

I’d planned on coming down tomorrow morning on the train on my own for the weekend, but Jacob wanted to come too and meet my mum and Elliot. I’m pleased he’s so eager to spend time with my family.

I checked with Mum, of course, but she was delighted to get the chance to meet Jacob. ‘You talk about him so much, I feel as if I already know him,’ she said.

I’ve only been with Jacob a few weeks, but I’m hooked. He’s so handsome, talented and great company. He’s ten years older than me, a journalist on the local paper, and has a modern flat in the town whereas I flat-share.

I don’t think Dad will approve of him, he’ll think he’s too old, but Mum will just want me to be happy. Which I am. Jacob is so cool and sophisticated. I can’t believe that someone like him is interested in me.

‘About fifteen minutes,’ I reply.

I’ve only been to the cottage once before but Mum and Elliot have visited me at uni a couple of times. I really like Elliot and am pleased she’s found someone who makes her happy. I hated it when Mum was on her own, and I was furious when Dad cheated on her with Selena. It’s all in the past now though, and I love my little half-sister, Sasha. I’m looking forward to the new baby coming too. They haven’t had a gender test, they want it to be a surprise, but I think it will be a boy this time.

‘So how long has your mum lived here?’ Jacob asks.

‘A couple of months. Elliot’s lived here for years though. He’s been renovating the cottage in between working.’

‘Not the sort of thing you’d expect a dentist to do. Is he posh?’ Jacob asks.

‘Not at all. He’s very down to earth and makes me feel so welcome. You’ll get on well with him.’

‘I’m looking forward to it.’ He turns off the main road and into the village. ‘Hey this looks a quaint place to live. It’s like stepping back into the past. I’m expecting to bump into a hay cart any minute!’

‘It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? Wait until you see the cottage. It’s divine,’ I tell him. I text Mum to say that we’re only a few minutes away, she’ll make sure the front gates are open.

I’d almost forgot how grand the cottage looked, especially with the Virginia Creeper snaking up the front – shame that it isn’t crimson like the last time I visited – and the stone gravelled driveway through the front garden.

‘Wow! This is amazing,’ Jacob says as he drives through the open gates and pulls up on the front drive. ‘Elliot must be loaded.’

Just then the door opens and Mum comes out. She’s smiling but she’s twisting the gold watch around on her wrist, a sure sign something is bothering her. ‘How was the journey?’ She hugs me and I can see the anxiety in her eyes. What’s wrong?

‘Busy,’ I tell her. I turn to Jacob. ‘Jacob, this is my mum.’

‘Pleased to meet you, Jacob,’ Mum says, and Jacob replies back easily.

‘Pleased to meet you, Lori’s mum.’

‘Cora, please,’ Mum tells him.

‘Pleased to meet you, Cora.’ Jacob kisses Mum on the cheek then goes around to the boot to get our bags.

Mum touches my arm. ‘Lori’ – she swallows then continues in a whisper – ‘Violet’s here. You know, the girl we used to foster.’

‘Violet?’ I repeat, stunned. I had no idea Mum was still in touch with her. ‘Why? Have you kept in touch with her all this time?’ I can’t believe this. I’d been looking forward to spending a relaxing weekend with Mum and Elliot, an opportunity for them to get to know Jacob. And now she’s here.

Mum shakes her head vehemently. ‘No, I haven’t seen her since she went back to the home. Then today I found her standing by the gate, looking at the cottage. She lives in the village too. We got chatting and I invited her in for a coffee. When Elliot found out who she was he suggested she stay for dinner, so she could meet you again.’ Mum fiddles with her watch again. ‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t really refuse. I hope this isn’t awkward for you.’

Why after all this time has Violet turned up? She must be up to something. My stomach is in knots and all I want to do is get back in the car and drive away. It was a long time ago and we were both just kids. It’s just a few hours, Lori. Don’t overreact. My eyes dart to Jacob, who is about to close the boot. ‘Does Elliot know what happened?’

Mum shakes her head. ‘No, only that we fostered her for a while. I haven’t had chance to explain.’

Jacob returns with the bags. ‘What’s up?’ he asks, looking from one to the other of us.

Mum gives him a big smile. ‘I was explaining to Lori that we have another guest for dinner. Violet, who we fostered for a little while when Lori was young.’

‘Oh that’s nice. You can both have a catch-up,’ Jacob says cheerily. ‘How long has it been since you saw each other?’

‘Fourteen years,’ I tell him.

I’d only been six but I can remember it as if it was yesterday. Violet isn’t the sort of person you forget.

‘You can leave the bags in the hall for now, Jacob,’ Mum says. ‘Dinner is almost ready. We thought we’d eat in the kitchen, it’s cosier.’

‘Thanks.’ Jacob puts the bags under the stairs and we follow Mum into the kitchen. My gaze darts to Violet, who is perched on one of the stools by the breakfast bar, looking very much at home as she chats to Elliot, and my throat tightens. She looks so pretty with her chestnut hair floating over her shoulders and sophisticated in her rust knitted dress, cream tights and black boots. I wish I’d worn a dress instead of my denims and polo neck jumper. I take a deep breath to steady myself. We’re both adults now, there’s nothing to be nervous about.

Elliot looks up. ‘Ah here they are.’

Violet turns to me and smiles widely. But I’m sure that I see a familiar coldness in her eyes.

‘Lori! It’s so good to see you again.’ She jumps down from the stool and gives me a big hug, as if we’re long-lost best mates. ‘I’ve missed you. I was hoping we’d bump into each other again one day.’

Well, it’s the last thing I wanted.

‘Hello again, Lori.’ Elliot gives me a hug too then holds out his hand to Jacob. ‘Hello, Jacob. Good to meet you.’

‘Likewise,’ Jacob says a little coolly. That surprises me and I wonder if he’s a little nervous although he’s usually brimming with confidence.

‘I’ll just go and close the gates, won’t be a tick,’ Elliot says.

‘It’s a wonder you don’t have electric gates,’ Jacob remarks. ‘Save your legs.’

‘It’s on the to-do list.’ Elliot smiles, then goes outside.

‘The food’s ready, would you like to eat now or unwind with a drink first?’ Mum asks.

I look over at the long mahogany dining table which is laid with red tablemats and coasters and matching white and gold china plates, a water glass and wine glass by each plate. A bottle of top brand red wine is standing in the middle of the table. Elliot is a bit of a wine connoisseur.

‘Eat, if that’s okay with everyone else. I’m starving and that smells delicious,’ Jacob says appreciatively.

‘Of course. Sit yourselves down and I’ll get drinks to go with the meal. Fruit juice, wine, beer?’

‘I’ll have fruit juice please, I don’t drink alcohol,’ Violet says.

‘Beer for me,’ Jacob says, he puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses me on the cheek. ‘How about you, Pumpkin?’

‘Wine please,’ I say. ‘I’ll get them, Mum.’

But Violet is already there, helping Mum. I bet she helped lay the table too. Making herself useful, ingratiating herself.

Just like before.

So we sit down together. Violet passes us the drinks then sits the other side of the table, opposite me, where I expected Mum to sit.

Elliot returns and he and Mum dish up then take their seats. Mum next to Violet, opposite Jacob, with Elliot at the end.

It seems odd with Violet being here and I feel a bit uneasy, but she is so friendly and amusing, telling us some of the mistakes she made when as a trainee hairdresser. ‘One time I put the wrong dye on someone’s hair and instead of it going blonde she went green,’ Violet says. ‘She wasn’t very pleased. The manager had to put it right and offer her a few free hairdos to pacify her.’ We all laugh and I start to relax.

‘So how did you two meet?’ Violet asks, looking from me to Jacob. ‘I’m gathering that you’re not a student, Jacob. Unless you’re a mature one,’ she adds.

‘At a Hallowe’en party,’ he says with a grin. ‘Lori was dressed as a pumpkin. A very sexy pumpkin in an orange tutu with black and orange long socks and a pumpkin mask. Hence my nickname for her.’

‘That’s cute,’ Violet says.

We chatter easily throughout the tasty meal, Jacob chats to Elliot, asking him about his work and the cottage and I hope that Elliot doesn’t think he sounds interrogatory. Jacob is a journalist and doesn’t always realise how intense his questioning is.

After dinner Mum brings out a sumptuous carrot cake for dessert, putting it in the middle of the table with a jug of cream.

‘You still make those lovely cakes?’ Violet asks. ‘I remember helping you to make them every Sunday.’ She turns to me. ‘Do you remember, Lori?’

I nod. ‘Yes. I used to love licking out the bowl.’ Violet is talking as if we were all one big happy family when she was staying with us when actually she bullied me and made my life a misery. Has she really forgotten?

‘So, you were only a short-term foster placement, Violet?’ Elliot asks as he tops up his water.

‘Oh yes, I went back home eventually. But we were like sisters. I’ve never forgotten you, Lori.’

Her eyes meet mine over her glass. ‘I was hoping we’d all meet up again.’

A subtle smile plays around her lips and a shiver runs down my spine.