The Only Way is Up

Part Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Her mother looked old. That was her first observation. Judith Stark was the epitome of elegance and glamour, always had been. And maintaining her appearance was a full time job - apparently, involving regular trips away for several days, which Nicole had surmised indicated she was having surgery, nips, tucks or fillers. But today she was pale, and rather gaunt looking and no amount of makeup could hide that.

She was stood beside her father near the bar of the Club that they were in, and despite it all she still looked immaculate, a twinset with pressed trousers, and a long chain of pearls that Nicole knew were antique and priceless. Her father wore a suit, she had rarely seen him in less, and next to them were her brothers, David and Simon, they were six and eight years younger than her and had both been sucked into the family business behind their father with little choice. Both were married to women of acceptable station and they both had immaculate homes provided by their father. It was all a little Stepford Wives in reverse.

Life outside of her father's favour had been difficult, but it was immeasurably preferable to what they had, what they'd succumbed to.

Her mother's eyes flitted to her suddenly and Nicole spotted the lift at the corner of her mouth for a split second, then her mother took her in, from top to toe and sighed. Disappointment. Why do you do it? Nicole asked herself for a moment, this was a game with her family, and as usual, as was typical she'd deliberately dressed in what would be perceived as the wrong way for this occasion. She was smart, clean and well presented, but bare arms beneath a strappy sundress, coupled with the fact that it only came down to her knees would infuriate her father. But she quite liked that. He was a fire she poked these days, as inevitably his attention and scorn would turn to her at some point that afternoon, why put off the inevitable?

It was the sadness in her mother's eyes that made her feel like a cow. Maybe it was time that she grew up too, stopped being so defensive, stopped buying into this standoff, because in her world attack was the best form of defence.

"Mum."

She moved towards the older woman and they mock kissed each other's cheeks, she couldn't remember the last time there had been any true affection from her mother, or support for that matter, but they went through this ritual every time they met up.

Her mother took her hands and smiled, "I'm really glad you made it today."

She gave a genial nod, "I've missed you the last few months."

Nicole grimaced as she followed her mother away from the men, who hadn't noticed that she'd arrived, instead they were too busy schmoozing with someone influential, of that she had no doubt. She had avoided her mother the last few months, not that they were bosom buddies before.

"So how are you Nicole?"

She could read what the true question was under the facade, have you sorted things with Vincent? Have you saved your marriage? Are you over this 'blip'?

"I'm good, well." Finally getting over my breakdown from six months ago. "Busy at work, but that's good."

Her mother was equally speaking in riddles, "and you're getting out and about?" Are you any closer to getting your life back on track? Have you reconciled with Vincent?

"Well Kim's baby is due in the next few weeks, so we're not socialising as much as we could. But she's been a brick to me." Have you forgotten that I lost my baby?

Her mother swallowed awkwardly, "that's good news. Lovely. How are you feeling?"

Nicole sighed, "about the fact that my best friend is having a baby, or that I'm approaching the date when my baby was due?"