Una used to look embarrassed by the attention Elspeth would occasionally lavish on her but Willow is positively glowing in it. She turns to Kathryn and gives her such a self-satisfied look that it knocks the breath from her. She’s another Matilde – she can feel it in her bones. If she’s not careful her mother will have bequeathed half of her estate to Willow before the year is out.
When Willow first arrived, Kathryn had tried to find out more about her, just like she’d done with the other girls. But there was nothing, not even a former address. She’d found a copy of her measly CV in Elspeth’s study and contacted the referees she’d listed, but both numbers rang out and Kathryn knew they were fake.
Kathryn watches as Elspeth’s mood changes and she laughs and jokes with Willow. She could be at home with her family now, she thinks, walks in the park with Ed and the boys. Cycling – Harry’s always on at her to go for a family bike ride – or they could be watching a movie, snuggled up beneath the blankets, eating junk food.
Her mother’s sudden bark of laughter grates just as much as Willow’s smug face. She’d made a huge effort to get here early to help Elspeth when she could have been at home. Kathryn stalks out of the kitchen, even though she doubts anyone notices. She’ll wait in the sitting room until Willow’s gone out. She can’t bear to witness her mother’s sycophantic behaviour a moment longer.
Kathryn is frowning over the books in the sitting room. It’s been ages since she last looked at them, but something doesn’t add up. She knows the gallery isn’t making any money but, according to the ledger, they are further into the red than she had calculated.
When Elspeth finally joins her she’s clinging to Willow’s arm, suddenly infirm again.
‘Are you okay now?’ Willow asks Elspeth, as she helps her into a chair, flashing a pointed look in Kathryn’s direction.
Elspeth pats Willow’s hand. ‘Thank you. You are good.’
It takes all of Kathryn’s will power not to roll her eyes.
Willow leaves the room saying she’s off to get dressed.
‘I thought it was her day off,’ murmurs Kathryn.
Elspeth scowls at her. ‘It is. But you’d just left me downstairs on my own.’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake,’ Kathryn snaps. ‘You’re perfectly capable of getting yourself up the stairs. This has got to stop, Mother.’
‘What does?’
‘This reliance on other people. If it’s that hard then maybe you should go into assisted living and sell the house.’ She’s amazed that she’s telling the truth for once, rather than pussy-footing around her mother like she usually does.
‘Sell the house? You of all people want me to sell the house?’
‘Of course I don’t. I love this house, you know that. But …’ Kathryn softens her voice deliberately ‘… I’m worried about you. It’s a big place. The stairs …’
‘I’ve had a thought about that and I’ve decided I’m going to install a stairlift.’
This is a surprise to Kathryn. ‘Really?’ She can’t bear the thought of the beautiful oak staircase being blighted by an ugly lift. ‘You’ve always said you hated those things.’
She purses her lips. ‘Hmm, well, needs must.’
Kathryn knows she’s gone too far. Her mother is doing this to punish her.
‘Also …’ she says, smiling at Kathryn in the chilling way she’s come to recognize over the years. It’s the smile she bestows on her unsuspecting victims whenever she’s about to impart some news that she knows won’t go down too well. ‘… I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About Viola.’
A wave of alarm washes over Kathryn. ‘What?’
‘Don’t look so surprised.’
‘But you’ve never wanted to talk about her. You removed all photos of her, pretended for years she doesn’t even exist.’
‘That doesn’t mean I’ve not thought about her. After all, she is my daughter.’
She says this coldly, as though to make clear that Kathryn is not.
35
Willow
When I leave the house around ten o’clock, Elspeth is in the sitting room with her cold fish of a daughter. Kathryn has brought the accounts from the gallery. When I poke my head around the door to say goodbye, they’re having what looks like a serious discussion. I knew Kathryn would be here today. And I know why she plays the dutiful daughter. It’s all about money, I can see that now. Money and control. Thank God my parents never had any. I’m not na?ve: I can tell that Elspeth’s affection for me isn’t that of a normal boss/employee relationship. Obviously, I have no idea how she treated the other girls but Courtney said Una had told her Elspeth blew hot and cold. But with me Elspeth is always lovely: maternal, giving, generous. Last week I took her shopping and she bought me this boho bag with tassels I’ve had my eye on for ages at a boutique in Clifton. She never lets me pay for anything, even though she gives me a generous wage. I’ve hardly spent a thing since I moved in. I’ve seen her cold side, of course. The way she is with Kathryn sometimes is frosty. But, so far, she’s been nothing but kind and welcoming to me. Still, it’s early days.