A Hidden Life by Adèle Geras Page A

she told herself. I can’t wait to get home either.
    â€˜That’s okay,’ said Phyl to both of them. She put her knife and fork down neatly on her plate. With a smile that Nessa recognized, the one that said
this is my loving and motherly smile but you’re not deceived, are you?
she said: ‘But Justin does have a point, Nessa. Constance left you a very large sum of money from shares and so forth. I think it’s a little – well, I don’t think Justin’s the only one who should consider dividing his inheritance more equally between the three of you. Gareth and you both earn good money and I’m sure Lou’s needs—’
    â€˜I haven’t got any needs, Mum,’ said Lou, interrupting Phyl just in time. If she hadn’t spoken, Nessa was all ready to let rip. How dare Phyl? How dare her stepmother suggest that she divide her money when Justin was sitting on something that was worth so very much more?
    â€˜I don’t see why either of us should make amends for Lou not getting on with Constance,’ she said, feeling faintly guilty because part of her recognized that what Phyl said was sort of true. Matt had brought the pudding to the table and served it while Phyl was speaking. Nessa now took a big bite of apple cake in a manner she hoped looked nonchalant. She spoke again, trying to sound a little more conciliatory, ‘It’s not really our business.’
    Lou glared at her. ‘No it isn’t. You’re right, Nessa. I’m quite capable of looking after myself and I’d rather starve than take a penny from either of you, ta very much. Constance didn’t like me, and I think I know why, though that doesn’t matter now. In any case, you can both relax. I’m very grateful for your help, Mum and Dad, and I couldn’t have managed without you this last year or so, but it’s not always going to be like that. I can earn a living and I will, too. And till I do, I’ll manage, even if I’m not exactly rolling in it just at the moment. I don’t care. I’m not accepting charity from Nessa and Justin.’
    â€˜Good on you, Lou!’ said Justin. ‘And I bet you
will
make a huge success of your life, too! I have faith – every faith – in your talent and character.’
    â€˜Yes, me too,’ said Nessa, wondering whether the others had heard the relief in Justin’s voice. Yet she rather doubted that Lou was ever going to have a brilliant career, poor thing. She hadn’t evenfinished her course at uni and now, with a small child, there was little chance of that. Still, you had to admire her bravery. Nessa smiled at Lou and said, ‘I think you’re being really noble, Lou, honestly, and I hope it all works out. You do know, don’t you, that you can always rely on me for help? You must come down and stay with us any time. Whenever –
whenever
 – you feel you need to get away from London. I mean it. Truly.’
    â€˜Ta, Ness,’ Lou said. ‘When my hovel gets to be too much for me, you mean. That’s kind of you. I might take you up on it.’
    Nessa smiled and privately hoped it wouldn’t be too soon or too often. She didn’t think Lou would be rushing down to see them much, if at all, but she’d made the gesture so honour was restored. Justin, she reflected, hadn’t made any such remark. Matt still looked pissed off. He obviously had no intention of leaving things where they were. There’d be letters going back and forth, emails, phone calls, and nothing would make any difference. Everyone would remain in exactly the same position as they were before. This meal had turned out to be precisely what Nessa had predicted: a total waste of time. She’d driven for half an hour to get here and now she’d have to drive half an hour to get home. Pointless and stupid.
    She looked across at her brother and wanted, as she so often did, to