The Winners by Gillian Jackson

Author:Gillian Jackson [Jackson, Gillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Published: 2025-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

‘I can’t believe we had so much excess baggage to pay for.’ Malcolm sighed as they carried the suitcases from the taxi into the hall.

‘It was a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, Mal. We were supposed to enjoy ourselves, and we can afford it.’ Julie smiled at her husband’s exasperated expression. ‘You’d better put the cases in the spare bedroom until I can sort them out. I’ll put the kettle on. I’m dying for a cuppa!’

‘Are you sure we haven’t got the kids’ luggage here as well as ours? I don’t recognise two of these cases.’

‘Mal. You know they’re the new ones I bought while we were away. There were so many things I wanted to buy, things I’ve never seen for sale here.’

‘Yes, and now I know why you want a bigger house.’ Malcolm picked up two of the cases and heaved them up the stairs.

By the time the tea was made, all the cases were upstairs, and the couple sat down to enjoy the familiar tranquillity of their home. ‘It’s been lovely to have the family around but exhausting, too. I don’t know where Tom and Becky find their energy, and Daisy keeps up remarkably well. With any luck, they’ll sleep off the jet lag and let their parents get some rest.’ Julie looked at Malcolm, who was already half asleep beside her. Smiling, she took his cup from his hand, placing it on the coffee table with hers. Snuggling into his shoulder, she closed her eyes and sighed. A nap would do them both good and nothing was spoiling.

An hour later, Julie woke up and extricated herself from Malcolm’s arm, which lay across her shoulders. Moving silently from the room, she crept upstairs to start the unpacking. Most of the clothes would go straight in the wash, although there was no hurry to get them clean again. The weather had turned quite autumnal while they’d been away with temperatures they were unused to. By the time Julie had finished her chores, Malcolm was up and about, asking what was for tea.

‘What do you fancy?’ she asked.

‘Boiled eggs with bread and butter.’ Malcolm would never be a caviar man, but she preferred plain food, too.

The following morning, Malcolm’s priority was to visit Bill. He’d missed his dad, and although the staff assured him he was well each day when he rang, Mal was keen to see for himself. Julie declined to go, saying she was going to make a start on the ironing before going into town to buy some fresh food at the market. ‘Tell Bill I’ll pop in to see him tomorrow.’ She kissed her husband as he left.

Julie wrestled with her conscience for only telling Mal half the truth. Before shopping, she intended to meet Sean Henderson but salved her conscience with the knowledge it was to be their last meeting. After Malcolm left, she’d found the number Sean had given her and rang him to say they were home from holiday. He sounded pleased to hear from her and quite animated as he asked how she was.

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