In Focus (2009) by Anna Jacobs Page B

want the rest of mine as well?’
    ‘Well, it’ll only go to waste and I’ve learned not to waste anything.’
    ‘Are you eating properly? You’re not short of money?’
    ‘Yeah, Mum, I’m eating. I have a regular job, but it doesn’t pay well, so I have to be careful. I can’t afford luxury cakes like these, so I’m making the most of them now.’ She reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out an envelope. ‘Thought you might like a photo of Mikey. He’s three, by the way.’
    Beth opened the envelope and stared at a small, solemn little boy, who looked very like her brother had at that age. ‘He looks well cared for, loved. Your grandmother always says you can tell by their expressions if children are loved.’
    ‘I do love him to pieces and I do my best to look after him properly. Having him made me grow up fast.’
    ‘And the father?’
    ‘Couldn’t get away quickly enough when he found I was having a baby. Good riddance to him. I registered Mikey as “ father unknown ”.’ She looked up at the clock on the wall, then down at her watch.
    Beth prayed she’d not leave yet.
    Jo caught her glance and shook her head. ‘I’m not rushing away, but I do have to keep an eye on the time. Look, I’m worried about you. Will you promise to eat properly from now on?’
    ‘Yes.’ She laughed. ‘But not rich cream cakes. Will you tell me more about your life?’
    ‘I work in the local supermarket. I’m full-time but I do night shifts stacking shelves sometimes, for extra money. My friend next door looks after Mikey. I couldn’t manage without Ghita. She’s like a sister to me now.’
    ‘I’d love to meet her.’
    ‘She has a son too. The boys are, like, best friends. Brothers couldn’t be closer. The work’s boring, but I’m a permanent employee and that’s worth a lot these days.’
    ‘Will you give me your address? Let me meet Mikey?’
    ‘I’ll give you my mobile number. Where I live is a dump.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    Jo looked at her warily. ‘What for?’
    ‘Getting back in touch.’
    And then she was sobbing. Jo had to guide her out of the café and walk with her to her car.
    ‘Geez, Mum, you’re a mess.’
    ‘I’ve . . . had a few other problems lately.’
    ‘You’re all right for money?’
    ‘Money? Oh yes, I’ve plenty of that. There’s something else that I need to sort out, nothing to do with you, but it’s a bit of a worry. I’ll tell you about it next time – there will be a next time, won’t there?’
    Jo hesitated and Beth thought her heart would stop, but when her daughter gave her a big hug, she began to think that if she was very careful, maybe Jo would stay found. ‘Would you like to bring Mikey to tea, Jo?’
    ‘I will one day. Not quite yet.’
    ‘Your father will be pleased that I’ve seen you.’ She saw Jo’s expression harden. ‘What have I said?’
    ‘I don’t want you to say anything about me to Dad yet.’
    ‘But he’ll want to know you’re safe.’
    ‘He ought to know already. You said he still has the same email address. I’ve emailed him three times, but he didn’t reply, not once, though I put a trace on the messages and they’d been opened and read.’
    ‘I can’t believe that. Shane was as upset as I was when you left.’
    ‘Well, he isn’t bothered about me now. Promise you won’t say anything about me to him until I tell you.’
    ‘But . . . Oh, well, if you insist. I don’t email him very often anyway. Though I think you’re wrong.’
    As she walked slowly home, Beth tried to understand why Shane would ignore Jo’s emails. And she couldn’t. She just couldn’t. Then she wondered if his wife was intercepting them out of jealousy about his first wife and child. She’d always been very guarded about his first wife and child. But Beth didn’t dare do anything that might drive Jo away again, so for the time being she’d keep quiet about seeing her daughter again, even to Shane.
    That Wednesday evening the Pete Newbury