Chapter 29

Andrew was happy all of the next day. He had enjoyed the evening thoroughly and would smile at random moments which, if nothing else, confused the hell out of the family. When Nikki saw him come into the warehouse she laughed out loud.

“No need to ask you how your night went then.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Andrew replied in his most disingenuous manner.

“Never mind me. How are things on the home front?”

“Alternating hot and cold. I have four brothers all married plus my parents. So ten potential callers. I have a third of them threatening to never talk to me again, all the while calling me constantly, a third who are practicing that and are giving me the cold shoulder and the rest trying to play good cop. It is very wearing. I have resorted to taking the phone connection out of the wall for some peace and quiet. Missing dinner is one thing but not going to church has both infuriated and worried them.

“The thing is I am happy in a slightly weird sort of way. One thing is that St. Luke’s is great. I love the services; the building has a wonderful feel to it and the congregation is very welcoming. I spoke to the priest today and told him I was a member of St. Andrews but liked it there. They are good, he could tell there was more to the story and I am sure that it will come out over the coming weeks. The best thing I have going for me is that my block of flats has underground parking so there is little danger of running into the family outside the building. I never gave them a key. My neighbour has my emergency key. I am sure it will get worse before it gets better but the way the family is behaving is just driving the wedge deeper.”

Here she paused and Andrew squeezed her shoulder.

“It sounds like you are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. You know where I am if you need to talk. Come on, time to make up some food parcels.”

They chatted on and off about the week as they worked and it was good to spend some time with his friend. When Andrew got off the bus and went to the Campbells he was greeted by Mrs. Campbell rather than Leslie as usual.

“She had a flat tire while she was at Matthew’s and he is helping her fix it. She should be here within 30 minutes. Come in out of that cold night.”

The Campbells were very comfortable with Andrew visiting pretty well every week. So he had no qualms about being alone with them without Leslie. They were chatting away when Mrs. Campbell asked him one of her unexpected, yet direct, questions.

“Do you ever wonder about our relationship and how it has evolved? Don’t panic Andrew.”

She could clearly see the panic on his face.

“I have been asked many times by family and friends. I just wanted to get your perspective.”

She tried to look calm but it wasn’t working for him.

“Do you mean my relationship with Leslie and through her you, or the three of us directly?”

Andrew asked stalling for time.

“Both I suppose but let’s start with the later.”