A Handful of Time by Kit Pearson

Author:Kit Pearson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP (CANADA)

11

When Nan arrived, Patricia hid behind the others so she could observe her privately, the way she did when she was invisible.

A thin figure stepped carefully out of the car. She was very different from the woman Patricia knew from thirty-five years ago. Shorter, with her back and shoulders curving into a stoop. Instead of a cotton dress, she wore green pants and a loose top that looked out of place with the double strand of pearls knotted around her wiry neck. Her hair was permed into even, irongrey curls. Although her ugly mouth still twisted when it smiled, her expression had become aggressive instead of vague.

The biggest difference was that she gushed. “My darling children … give your old Nan a kiss!” she cried in a sugary voice. “Here’s the baby, what a sweetheart— hand her to me. Hello, Ginnie, dear, how lovely to be here! And Maggie … and my own Trevor.”

Patricia listened in wonder. Maybe her grandmother had grown more affectionate after her husband died. But there was something forced and smothering about her cooing. As everyone was embraced again and again, Patricia hid behind the car.

“But where’s Patricia?” the strident voice cried. “Where’s my poor little Patricia?”

Aunt Ginnie put an encouraging arm around her niece. “Don’t be shy, dear. Come and say hello to your grandmother.”

Nan gave Rosemary back to Aunt Ginnie and took Patricia’s face in her hands. Patricia jerked her head with embarrassment, but the cool palms held it firmly.

“So this is Patricia … finally!” Nan kissed her quickly and released her hold. “You don’t look at all like your mother. Well, perhaps that’s just as well. Do you know I haven’t seen you for four years? We’ll have to have a good long talk.”

Patricia escaped by helping to carry suitcases into La Petite. Her stomach churned with guilt as she glanced at the bed and the newly tiled floor. Early Sunday morning she had crept into the cabin and rescued the watch. She’d hidden it up in the attic of the cottage, concealed in an empty shoebox she’d found in a corner. No one ever went up there; it was far too hot.

“A good long talk”: the ominous words rang in her ears all day. She began to relax, though, when she saw that there were too many people around for Nan to get her alone. Uncle Rod’s family arrived and Patricia was protected from her grandmother by a thicket of chatter.

Everyone waited on the old woman. Aunt Ginnie and Aunt Karen hovered around her, keeping her supplied with cigarettes, tea and cushions. Nan was much bossier and more opinionated than in the past. Before dinner she shooed the women into the kitchen and sat on the verandah with Uncle Rod, having a lively argument with him about the prime minister. Trevor, Christie and Bruce crouched at her feet. Kelly had disappeared somewhere.

Patricia sat on the front steps, holding the baby. She watched Uncle Doug tend the barbecue and Maggie practise handstands on the lawn.

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