Free Every Time We Say Goodbye by Colette Caddle Page A

through enough; she couldn’t hit her with this as well.
    ‘But how can you keep it a secret, darling? How are you going to explain the fact that there’s no pension?’
    ‘I have no idea but I can’t tell her this, Johnny. His addiction was one thing but finding out that her only child was a thief too would break her heart.’
    He thought for a moment. ‘The simplest thing to do is tell her that for legal reasons they have to wait until after the inquest before they can pay you any money.’
    ‘And what then?’ She dragged tired fingers through her long hair.
    ‘Don’t worry about that now,’ he frowned.
    ‘You’re right. Lord knows I’ve more than enough to worry about at the moment.’ She stood up. ‘I’d better go.’
    He gave her a warm hug. ‘Are you going to be okay?’
    ‘I’m going to have to be, aren’t I?’ Marianne said, feeling weepy again. But she couldn’t give in to tears, she had to go home and convince Dot that everything was fine.
    ‘You’ll get through this, love. Helen and I will be with you every step of the way.’
    She clung to him for a second. ‘Good, because I have a feeling I’m going to need you.’

Chapter Seven
    When Marianne struggled through the door, laden down with bags, she found Dot standing at the kitchen table, baking.
    ‘Hello, love, how did you get on?’
    ‘Not bad,’ Marianne said as she put away the groceries. She had decided to do the shopping on the way home to give herself more time to recover her composure. It had worked. As she wandered up and down aisles she counted her blessings. She had two amazing, healthy kids, a wonderful mother-in-law, great friends in Helen, Jo and Johnny, and she knew even Greg would offer support if it was needed. And she no longer had the stormy, threatening cloud in the shape of Dominic hanging over her. Yes, he’d left her a sorry mess to deal with but deal with it she would. ‘I’m gasping for some tea, want one? I got doughnuts.’ She reached for the kettle.
    ‘Lovely.’ Dot put the apple tart in the oven, cleaned up and sat waiting in silence until Marianne had made the tea and joined her.
    ‘So, out with it; what’s wrong?’
    Marianne met her gaze and smiled. ‘I can never fool you, can I? Bad news, I’m afraid. It looks like I won’t get a penny from Matthews and Baldwin until after the inquest.’
    ‘But that could take ages.’ Dot looked horrified.
    ‘I know.’ Marianne gave a helpless shrug.
    ‘Have you enough money to last that long?’
    ‘Not really. We’re going to have to seriously economize and plan for the worst. I should probably start looking for a job.’
    ‘I can’t believe it. I thought that Dominic would have plenty of money put by.’
    ‘You know Dominic, he didn’t really believe in leaving money in bank accounts; he liked to invest.’ It was true, Marianne thought, and made a mental note to say so to Johnny. Perhaps Dominic had lots of shares that they hadn’t discovered yet. Still, if they did, were they hers or would she have to hand them over to Matthews and Baldwin? It all made her head spin.
    ‘I’m sorry, love, you shouldn’t have to worry about money on top of everything else.’
    ‘Perhaps going back to work is exactly the distraction I need, although I don’t imagine getting a job will be easy these days.’
    ‘But didn’t you have a great job in the travel agency?’
    ‘Yes, but they were different times. Still, I’m sure I’ll find something.’
    ‘We both will.’
    ‘Don’t be silly,’ Marianne laughed.
    ‘Why is it silly?’ Dot retorted. ‘I’m a strong, healthy woman and a hard worker; why shouldn’t I get a job?’
    ‘I know you can do it,’ Marianne quickly reassured her. ‘I just don’t see why you should. Anyway, someone will have to look after the children.’
    ‘I should because it’s thanks to my son that you’re in this mess.
    ‘That doesn’t make you responsible.’
    ‘Perhaps not, but didn’t you say I was part of this