‘Absolutely not,’ said Max. ‘I’m staying right here until this is sorted out.’
His voice sounded raucous in the quiet atmosphere Diana and I had created. Dylan sat mutinously on the stool, studying the flames leaping up the chimney. I noticed a handbag dangling from one of Iris’s arms. ‘Just wait until you put that down,’ I thought. ‘I’ll have that open in seconds and see what’s inside.’
But Iris opened the handbag first, and took out a folded piece of newspaper. She hung the bag back on her arm.
‘THAT’s what this is about.’ She unfolded the paper and thrust it at Max. ‘And don’t even think about tearing it up. I got copies.’
Max frowned as he read what was on the paper, and handed it to Diana.
‘Oh, yes, I remember that poor little baby,’ Diana said. ‘I hope someone nice adopted him and I hope the mum is all right. She must have been desperate to abandon her baby.’
‘I don’t call it desperate. EVIL, that’s what I call it,’ said Iris loudly. She pointed at TammyLee. ‘SHE’s the mother. Ask her, go on … ask her.’
Her accusation rang around the room. Even Diana looked shocked. TammyLee put her head in her hands.
‘There you are. Look at ’er. Guilty!’ Iris announced triumphantly.
‘That’s an appalling accusation,’ said Max. ‘Can you substantiate it?’
‘SHE can.’ Iris pointed at TammyLee.
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ said Max. He looked at TammyLee. ‘It’s not true, is it? Tell me it’s not true.’
Diana put both arms round TammyLee and held her tightly.‘Surely this isn’t true, darling? Darling?’ TammyLee was silent, holding the edges of her secret together with a long practised strength.
Iris was using up my love so fast I didn’t think I could give any more. I jumped down and ran to the sofa, to sit between TammyLee and Diana, and from there I could see Amber’s puzzled face watching us through the glass door, her tail down.
The talking went on, and on, with the clock ticking loudly in the silence and the rain adding a hush to the house. The flames in the fireplace lost their energy and began to glow, and sink into scarlet.
Seeming to be intimidated by his mum, Dylan took no part in the conversation, only responding with a grunt or a shrug. They argued about dates and lies, while Diana sat with the newspaper picture of Rocky in her hands, smoothing it and gazing at the baby’s bright little face.
After one of the silences, she said,‘So … you think that this little boy is my grandson?’
‘And mine,’ said Iris. She pointed at TammyLee. ‘And she’s the mother. Aren’t you? Come on, admit it.’
‘I’m not admitting anything,’ said TammyLee stonily.
Iris leaned forward in her chair.‘Then if you won’t admit it, we’ll have no choice. I’m not letting this go. We’ll go to the social workers … and my son will have a DNA test done. At least he’s coming clean about what he did … and he wants to be a father to that baby. You lot think my Dylan’s a bad boy, butI know different. If he’s got the guts to own up, why haven’t you … Tammy whatever your name is? Stubborn aren’t you? … Madam!’
‘Will you SHUT UP!’ screamed TammyLee, her hands clutching her temples. ‘Just shut the hell up and get out of our house. GO. Just GO.’
‘Please, darling … shh … it’s OK. Max and I will support you whatever happens … we’re here.’ Diana turned to Iris. ‘I think … it would be best if you go and leave us to talk to our Tam on her own. Then we’ll get back to you, I promise. Can you understand that … as a mum?’
‘She’s right,’ said Max
Iris folded her arms and sat back.‘I ain’t moving ’til she admits it,’ she said. ‘Get the police if you like … they’ll be interested in what I’ve got to say. I ain’t moving.’
Dylan rolled his eyes and tried to intervene.
‘Mum! We can’t stay here all night. I want to get home.’
She shot him down.‘Don’t you start. Don’t you dare tell me what to do!’
Max walked across to the window and looked out.‘It’s raining, pouring,’ he said, ‘and in view of our proximity to the river, which is already full to the brim, I think you should go and I’m going to drive you home. Otherwise, you’ll end up sleeping here with no electricity. And before you object to that, I would point out that it’s a generous offer … kind of me, considering the way you barged in here, uninvited.’
‘Tomorrow’s another day,’ said Diana. ‘We need time to sort this out, Iris. It’s a shock, yes, but IF it’s true, these two young people will need our support, not condemnation. I’m concerned for my daughter, and I’m sure you are for Dylan. We shouldn’t involve the police at all.It’s a family matter.’
‘Thanks.’ Dylan looked at Diana as if she was rescuing him. ‘I’m not a bad person like you think … I … I’m sorry for what I did to the cat … it was stupid … peer pressure and stuff.’
‘Yeah, and drugs,’ said TammyLee.
‘I’m off it. I’m clean now.’
‘’E is,’ said Iris, ‘without any help from the medics.’
‘Pigs might fly,’ TammyLee muttered.
‘This isn’t going anywhere,’ said Max, taking his raincoat from its peg and jingling his car keys. ‘I’m going now so make your minds up.’