‘Great, um, thanks again,’ she said with a smile and rushed out.
Maddie closed the door and leant against it, exhaled, then reached over and drew the chain again.
11
Maddie knocked on Peggy Aitkens’ door gingerly. Luke’s words from last night echoed in her head and she’d spent most of the night wondering if she knew Jade at all and how cautious she should be of her. What had Luke said? Borderline bullying? Maddie had seen her kicking on the door all those weeks ago and the way Peggy flinched whenever she saw Jade.
She needed to put some distance between herself and Jade perhaps. There were too many things that didn’t quite fit right – the volatility; the manipulation; the spitefulness. She felt like she was being quietly bullied and manipulated, but was helpless to stop it. Not seeing her would mean not spending time with Ben though and that was like a physical pain when she thought about it.
She still had Jemima though. Greg had said she could be a part of her life.
‘Who is it?’ a voice said from behind the unopened door.
‘It’s Maddie – from across the hall? I just wanted to check on you, make you a cup of tea maybe?’ There was no response. ‘I have a Victoria sponge I need help eating too.’
The door opened on the chain and Peggy’s cataract-cloudy eyes peered through the gap.
The door closed again and the chain slid back.
‘Come in. Wipe your feet.’
Maddie closed the door behind her and followed Peggy into a cluttered and stiflingly warm lounge. A floral couch and two armchairs were arranged around a surprisingly up-to-date flat-screen television. Every surface was covered with china and crystal ornaments, each one sparkling and dust-free. The patio doors revealed a bright and colourful garden full of herbs, vegetables and rosebushes in a late stage of flowering.
Maddie held out the M&S Victoria sponge and said with a smile, ‘I’ll put the kettle on, shall I?’
She opened tidy cupboards in the kitchen and found a teapot and two china mugs, along with plates and cake forks. She stacked everything on a tray and carried it through to the coffee table in the lounge where Peggy sat in her slippers, looking out of the patio doors.
‘You have a lovely garden, Mrs Aitkens,’ Maddie said as she poured the tea.
‘Thank you. Not too much milk for me – and call me Peggy. I’m not your teacher.’
They sipped quietly for a moment. ‘Have you settled in alright then?’ Peggy asked.
‘Yes, thank you. Still have a few boxes to unpack, but I’m getting there. I would love a garden like that though – mine is just a patch of mud.’
‘It takes time, especially if you’re working.’
‘Oh, I don’t work. I’ve taken some time off – I’ve had some… personal issues.’
Peggy nodded sagely. ‘Then gardening might help with that. It helps to keep my fingers busy. The devil makes work for idle hands.’
‘That is true. I’m thinking of setting up my own business. I think it is time I got back into work.’
‘That’s what Luke upstairs does. Lovely man, he is.’
‘Yes, I’ve met him. He seems really nice. I’m going to be doing some work for him, actually.’
‘He’s a good lad, keeps an eye out for me. Got a caring heart, that one.’
The conversation lulled as Maddie cut into the cake and handed a plate to Peggy.
‘Do you have children, Peggy?’
‘No, never had them.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t either.’
‘You should do something about that. It gets a bit lonely when you get to my age.’
Maddie smiled. ‘I think my time for that has passed.’
‘You never know what lies around the corner, my dear.’
A clock ticked comfortingly. Maddie looked around at the bookcases lining the far wall. ‘I see you like to read?’
‘A lot of those are my late husband’s. I started reading them after he passed away – I wanted to know what had stolen him away from me for hours on end. They were like a string of mistresses. And now I’ve read them all, some of them twice. They’re my love affair now.’
‘Well, if you ever need me to pick up some books from the library for you – or even accompany you there – I’m happy to. I love the library. I took Ben there the other day. You know Ben from upstairs?’
‘The little boy? He’s a sweet little one, isn’t he? I can’t imagine why anyone would want to hurt them.’ She tutted and shook her head before scooping up the crumbs on her plate with the flat of her finger. It was a strange thing to say and Maddie was a little lost for a response, but Peggy continued, ‘You should be careful of that woman upstairs. I’m not one to gossip, but she’s vicious, that one.’
‘Does she give you a hard time, Peggy?’
Peggy looked uncomfortable. ‘I don’t want to speak ill of her behind her back.’
‘You’re not at all, but I’d rather know than not. The truth is I’ve been a bit concerned about her behaviour myself lately.’
‘I called the council on her once – a while ago – because I could smell marijuana coming from her flat. They didn’t find anything but she got a bit nasty after that. Started keeping me awake at night with her music, banging on the door in the early hours of the morning, that kind of thing. It stopped for a bit when Lucy and Luke moved in because they kept an eye out for me, but then Lucy moved away and every now and again, when I think it’s all over, she’ll do something just to remind me she’s there. Luke is good at keeping her in check though.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh, don’t worry yourself, dear. If I can live through Hitler, I can put up with the likes of her.’
‘But you shouldn’t have to!’
‘Aye, well, I just keep myself to myself.’ She drained her teacup. ‘The worst was when she smeared
