CHAPTER 7
‘I’m sorry to hear it, Catriona,’ said John. ‘He just threw you out? Just like that?’
‘Yes. Oh, I couldn’t have stayed there anyway. His girl friends started coming round to the house. Tarty looking specimens they were.’
Already the story had grown in the telling, but Catriona felt no shame at the lies, or constructive interpretation she was using. On the contrary, she came to believe implicitly in her own distortions.
‘It became quite impossible to continue living there. He reminded me that he actually owns everything, the house, furniture, the lot. He even emptied our joint account.’
‘But that’s terrible,’ said John. ‘Are you all right for money. I can probably let you have a bit if you need.’
‘Thank you, brother, but money’s not really a problem, not just yet. I still have what I inherited, well, most of it. I appreciate the offer, though, and if I ever do need more, I know where to come.’
John grimaced. ‘Don’t leave it too long, that’s all I can say.’
‘What do you mean?’ Is business bad?’
‘Could be better,’ he said. ‘There’s another new supermarket opened just on the edge of the town. I wouldn’t have thought people would have travelled that far for their groceries, but they do. Last Tuesday I never had a single customer. Not one. I mean, it’s all pay out and no return. I’ve had to let two of my girls go already. If things get any worse, I might have to consider selling up one of the shops.’
‘As bad as that?’ said Catriona.
‘As bad as that.’
‘Well then, you’re hardly in a position to offer me financial help, are you,’ said Catriona. ‘By the sound of it, it seems you are in more need yourself.’
‘I wouldn’t say no to a little lift, Catriona, and that’s the truth. Anyway, that’s nothing compared to your problems. We may not have so much, but you’re welcome to stay with us until you find a place of your own. We’re a bit cramped, as you know, but we can find space for you and Jeanette.’
Cramped it was. John and his wife had three children, with another on the way. There was hardly space for them, let alone two extra visitors, even if one was still a baby. Still, thought Catriona, it would do for a few days until she got sorted out.
The few days stretched to a few weeks. Living so tightly together had proved to be a strain, not strong enough to lead to actual quarrels, but that was only a question of time, and it was with a sense of relief that Catriona moved out and into a small house of her own. Money changed hands, more than could be accounted for by normal rental standards. John’s finances were in a parlous state, worse, much worse than he had admitted to. He would survive for the moment, but he was living too much on his rapidly dwindling capital. Catriona was, if not precisely happy to be able to help out, at least willing, a willingness that turned sour after being approached for similar help on other, later occasions. Her own resources had been adequate, but clearly would not long remain so if she had to support another family. Even the maintenance she had received for Jeanette had come to an end within a few weeks, and inflation overcame the value of her inheritance too quickly for her liking. She turned bitter, or perhaps circumstances brought out the bitterness that was within her already.