The Three Halves of Martyn Manning-Chapter Thirteen: Induction - Part Four

It
all sort of frittered out after that, as these things invariably do.
No-one had the social skills or felt it appropriate to declare
proceedings formally closed so after a few more minutes they had a
general tidy up then all trooped out to the car park carrying the
gifts. They found space for the coffee maker in the boot then all
stood awkwardly by the car making stilted small talk until Caroline
felt she should break the impasse.

“Oh
well, I suppose I should get going. It’s a long way to Carlisle and
I’d like to get there before it gets dark if I can.”

She
gave a Elena a brief hug.

“Good
luck.”

She
stood back holding both of Elena’s hands and held her gaze for
several seconds.

“Don’t
worry, you’ll be fine.” she said quietly.

She
turned away and bent down to hug Felix. She kissed him on the lips.

“You
promise me you’ll be a good boy for Daddy and Elena.”

His
eyes began to glaze as he struggled to maintain his facade of stiff
and stoic.

“I
promise.”

She
released him then turned to Katie, picking her up then clutching her
tightly to her breast and twirling around on the spot, Katie’s legs
flailing like the seats on a fairground carousel.

“Katie
baby! I’m gonna miss you chicken-face! Do you promise me you’ll
zoom me every day? Well every week?”

She
was squeezing Katie so tightly that she couldn’t respond until
Caroline put her down. Then she burst into tears. Caroline crouched
down and put an arm around her shoulder.

“Aw
Katie, you’ll be OK. Elena will look after you. She’s really nice
and I’ve told her all about all your favourite toys and bedtime
stories. And she told me she’s got some special surprises just for
you.”

She
dabbed at Katie’s eyes with a tissue. As she stood up Martyn took a
step towards her, his arms bent upwards from the elbow in readiness
for a hug. He stopped when Caroline took a step back and held out a
limp-wristed hand.

“Well
thanks for everything Martyn, it’s been fun. I hope it all goes
well. I’m sure it will.”

In
his surprise Martyn had no time to think about his reaction so he
simply took Caroline’s hand and half-heartedly shook it. Odd tone
of voice he thought.

Caroline
turned and got in the car. She put on her seatbelt then rooted in her
handbag for the keys. The window whirred down. She looked out and
waved then blew a kiss.

“Bye
then everybody!”

The
car moved off. She looked back and waved for a last time before she
slowed as she waited for a space then joined the main carriageway.
The rest of them watched till she was out of sight.

_____________

Evening
brought calm, the restoration of order, a return to routine. It
wasn’t exactly the same routine, the orchestra now had a new
conductor, but it was routine nevertheless. As a gloomy dusk gathered
Martyn left the kids playing with Elena and went to his upstairs
study to hone a presentation to potential new clients for later in
the week. At 8.00pm Elena knocked on the study door and brought in
the kids to say goodnight. An hour or so later he needed a break and
went down to the kitchen to make coffee. As he passed Elena’s room
he noticed she’d left the door slightly ajar and he could hear the
low murmour of the TV. Downstairs he made his coffee then after a
moment’s pause he topped it up with whisky. Why not, he’d earned
it. Heading back up the stairs he could hear Elena talking. She must
be calling her family. He didn’t intentionally listen but as he
passed her door he clearly heard her speaking. “...I will...Yes...
Promise?..OK...I miss you so much. I love you so much…We’ll be
together soon…..”

Back
in his study and seated behind his desk he sipped his coffee. Poor
girl. It must be hard. She must be missing her home. He reached out
for his pad and pen and scribbled a note to himself. “Be extra nice
to her for the next few days.”