Damage by Josephine Hart

Author:Josephine Hart [Hart, Josephine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media LLC
Published: 2010-08-05T22:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SIX

‘I’VE RECEIVED A letter from Martyn thanking me very charmingly for the trust fund I helped set up. You know its terms. Does this mean wedding bells?’ Edward was on the phone.

‘Possibly.’

‘What a pity Tom died before Martyn became a young man. He would have been very proud of him. I miss Tom, you know. Marvellous man, marvellous character.’

‘I know.’ The mention of my father suddenly conjured up my days as the son I had long forgotten. The days when I was my father’s son, as well as my son’s father.

‘I’ve been very lucky,’ said Edward. ‘I’ve seen Ingrid happily married for all these years. Now there’s the possibility of Martyn getting married. Not sure about Anna. Clearly Martyn loves her … so I’m going to warm towards her. Sally and Jonathan seem very jolly together. You could find yourself with both of them married soon — how about that?’

I tried to sound relaxed and pleased. I even gave an imitation of an Edward-style chortle.

‘How are things with that committee you’re chairing?’

‘So, so.’

‘Soul of discretion, aren’t you? Mark my words, you’ll be promoted at the next reshuffle. You’re a bit of a dark horse, even to me! But it works, your semi-low profile. People do like you. They trust you. Trust is a minor miracle these days. No one seems to trust anyone any more. Ah well, if this does end in an engagement between Martyn and Anna I’d like the wedding to be held at Hartley. What do you think? I know it’s normally the girl’s family’s place. But her parents are divorced. Her mother lives in America. I’m probably jumping the gun, it’s just an idea. Say something.’

‘It’s a very nice idea, Edward. But they’re not even engaged yet.’

‘Quite, quite so. Engagement party then, at Hartley.’ He laughed. ‘I never give up, do I? It’s age, you know. I’m clinging more and more tenaciously to my family. I don’t want to let go. Very odd, old age. Always knew it would happen, if I was lucky. I just didn’t expect it so soon. You see … it comes too soon. Must let you go. Tom and I did well, I think, for Martyn and Sally. Ingrid will get Hartley, obviously. Plus quite a lot … well …’

‘Edward. Please. You’ve been marvellous to us and to the children. We’ve all got years together. Years ahead of us.’

‘I hope so. Sorry if this all got a bit sentimental. It’s the idea of Martyn marrying. Couldn’t say it earlier, but of course it brings back the loss of Ingrid’s mother. Terrible sadness still, you know. Now this time I’m finishing. Take care.’

‘You, too. Bye, Edward.’

I put the phone down, and with some determination tried to blind myself to a vision of my father.

You may not be a son any more, he seemed to say, but my God you have one.

What are you doing? What kind of father are you?

You were always a distant son. Always distant from your mother and me. And a cold son becomes a cold father.

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