Free The First Cut by Ali Knight Page B

which had drooped at the outer edge – presumably the result of one of her strokes. It gave her face a strange lopsided appearance.
    ‘She’s not going to bite,’ said Adam, coming to Bridget’s aid, holding on to his aunt and trying to get her to sit down.
    ‘What are you doing here?’
    ‘Adam invited me round,’ Nicky replied.
    ‘Adam, your nephew,’ Lawrence added loudly as he dried his face, his features hidden again beneath the red towel.
    Connie frowned but let Adam lead her into the room.
    As Nicky looked at Connie, she adjusted her age downwards. From her good eye and her skin Nicky decided she was probably only in her sixties. It seemed young to be so frail and dependent.
    ‘You were fine earlier. You’re having a good day today, Connie,’ Bridget said, setting out glasses.
    Nicky came towards Connie and held out her hand. ‘It’s good to meet you.’
    Connie stared at her nephew. ‘Good?’
    ‘Sit down, Connie, for goodness sake,’ Bridget said, irritated at the old woman’s rudeness.
    ‘Sorry about that. I’m Lawrence.’ Lawrence put the towel down and came over to shake Nicky’s hand. ‘Excuse my sister.’ His face was still red and blotchy from the steam, but he had a nice smile, which she found comforting in the awkward atmosphere.
    Lawrence sat on the sofa, reached for a wine glass and poured a generous measure. Adam sat down next to Nicky and opposite Connie. Silence descended again and Nicky realized Connie was still staring at her. Adam had prepared her for how Connie might be, so it should have been no surprise the way she was acting, yet her stare was unnerving. She was confused, but her eyes, even though one wasn’t straight, looked clear and focused.
    ‘So, Adam jumped into the Thames after you,’ Lawrence said.
    Nicky smiled. ‘Yes, he did, and I’m very grateful—’
    ‘That’s just like Adam, not appreciating the consequences of his actions,’ Lawrence interrupted.
    ‘
Such
a dangerous thing to do,’ Bridget said, shaking her head.
    ‘Anyone would think you lot
wanted
her to drown in the Thames!’ Adam was scowling at his dad.
    ‘Of
course
we don’t mean that.’ Bridget added for emphasis: ‘I’m very glad you’re OK, Nicky.’ She handed her a glass of wine.
    As Nicky tried to navigate the toxic cross-currents eddying through this room she decided that her own family really wasn’t that bad at all. But she was here for a reason, so she just decided to get on with it. She turned to Connie. ‘Adam has told me a lot about your life, Connie. It sounds fascinating.’
    ‘Is she out to get us?’ Connie looked at Lawrence in panic.
    Bridget put her glass down. ‘I’ll get Tatjana. I think Connie’s overtired.’
    ‘No, don’t. I want to hear what she’s got to say,’ Adam said, staring at his dad.
    Nicky tried again. ‘Adam told me that you used to work at Tramps, the nightclub.’ There was a pause and she saw anguish pass across Connie’s face. ‘You must have met a lot of interesting people.’
    Connie snorted, her eyes suddenly coming sharply into focus again. She was like a radio that wasn’t perfectly tuned, her comprehension fading and returning in waves. ‘Superficial and empty, it’s all for nothing.’
    ‘I see.’ Nicky smiled with encouragement, realizing that this was going to be more difficult than Adam had made out. ‘How many years did you work at—’
    ‘Are you married?’ Connie blurted out.
    The room froze for a second and Lawrence muttered under his breath.
    Nicky saw Connie staring at her wedding ring and she rubbed her hands in embarrassment to cover up the evidence. ‘I . . . well . . . yes, I am. Have you ever been married, Connie?’
    Connie narrowed her eyes. Adam came to her rescue. ‘You were too busy, weren’t you, Cons? Hanging out with all those glamorous people . . .’
    ‘Who?’ Connie frowned.
    ‘You know, the guests at Tramps, the people who came down to the house—’
    ‘They were all