Part Eighty-Nine
On the Thursday, after the Sunday afternoon that had almost turned into a foursome, Karen met Yvonne for lunch, in one of the winebars not frequented by Larkhall's officers. Yvonne was coming in to visit Denny that afternoon, so she'd been pleased to receive Karen's phone call, suggesting they have lunch beforehand. Karen had said that she wanted to talk to Yvonne about Denny, but Yvonne saw this for the excuse it was, it pleasing her that Karen clearly wanted her company for other than professional reasons.
When Karen arrived, Yvonne was sitting at a corner table, and had already bought them both a scotch. Getting up, she gave Karen a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "How are you?" Yvonne asked, as they sat down. "Incredibly busy," Karen replied with feeling. "So, taking an hour out of the day is more welcome than you might imagine." "No ill effects from my daughter's dodgy cookies the other week?" "Oh, she told you about that, did she," Karen said with a broad smile. "The governing governor being stoned in her first week on the job, I don't know," Yvonne added sternly, though with a distinct twinkle in her eye. "Who else was involved, apart from Lauren, Denny and the Julies, I couldn't possibly tell you, and I wasn't the only one to be inflicted with a certain amount of drug-induced relaxation. Gina came in for her fair share of it as well. I'm amazed they didn't manage to get Sylvia to try one. I suppose if it had been a chocolate finger, they might have had more success." Yvonne laughed. "You heard about what they did with her money?" "Yes, with Dominic's help no less." "I'm sorry, if the dope caused you any hassle," Yvonne said seriously. "Your daughter is quite old enough to apologise for her own misdeeds," Karen said with a fond smile. "And though I wouldn't want her to know this, it was the best practical joke I've seen in a long time."
When they'd ordered lunch, Yvonne lit a cigarette. "So, how's the job really going?" "It's great. I don't have a second to call my own, I've got paperwork coming out of my ears, and area constantly on my back to cut costs. But I love it. I wouldn't alter what I'm doing for the world." "You look and sound happier than I've seen you in a long time," Yvonne said quietly. "I am," Karen said, with as much meaning as Yvonne's observation had held. "And how's it going with George?" "I wasn't sure you'd want to know," Karen said quietly, not meeting Yvonne's gaze. "Hey, of course I do," Yvonne said with feeling, gently turning Karen's face back towards her. "Whether you're happy, or unhappy, and whoever that's with, I want to know." Karen was incredibly touched to hear this. "George, is wonderful," Karen said slowly, almost as if she were testing the waters of Yvonne's wish to know everything. "She's beautiful, she makes me happy, and she doesn't want anything committed or heavy from me, which considering my distinct lack of spare time, is probably a good thing." "I'm glad you're happy, really I am," Yvonne said sincerely. "That means a lot to me," Karen said, briefly touching Yvonne's hand.
When their food had arrived, Karen decided that now might be the time to confirm her suspicion. "So, how was it with John, then?" Yvonne had been about to take a second mouthful of pasta, but she now put her fork down very carefully. "Did he tell you?" She asked, immediately telling Karen what she wanted to know. "No," Karen said, a broad grin spreading over her face. "He didn't need to. You're not the only one adept at interpreting human nature, you know." Yvonne couldn't help smiling. "He refused to look at me a few weeks ago, when George, Jo and I were talking about you. I said that you looked like you'd been seeing, or at least sleeping with someone. The only time that John refuses to meet someone's gaze, is when he's got something to hide." Yvonne suddenly looked worried. "Jo doesn't know, does she?" "No, only me. So, was it worth it?" "About as worth it as it was for you, yeah." "Oh," Karen said, feeling very uncomfortable and not knowing what to say. "Oh, come on," Yvonne said, trying to put Karen at her ease. "It wasn't anything I didn't already highly suspect. Look at it this way, we can compare notes on him now." The expression on Yvonne's face was so cheeky, that Karen laughed. "Which would infuriate him intensely," She finished, wishing John could see them now. "He was the first bloke I'd slept with, since being inside," Yvonne said contemplatively. "And mine since Ritchie," Karen told her, thinking that John had probably had the same effect of brief escapism for them both. "He was incredible," Yvonne said almost wistfully. "Oh, I know," Karen agreed with her. "The kind of bloke you could never get quite enough of, if given the opportunity." "What exactly," Yvonne asked slowly, pausing to take another mouthful of pasta. "Is his relationship with George?" "Ah, I was wondering when you would ask," Karen replied, wondering just what Yvonne's reaction would be to the situation. "John, in his infinitely bloody minded male arrogance, is sleeping with both Jo and George, with both their knowledge and their agreement and, where George is concerned, with mine as well. I do know just how weird it sounds, but it really does work." "So, that's why nothing heavy between you and her suits both of you." "Yes. I haven't got the time or the emotional energy for a committed relationship, and though John and George have been divorced for over fifteen years, they've neither of them stopped loving the other." "He's a very lucky man," Yvonne said ruefully. "Doesn't know he's born if you ask me."
When they'd finished eating, Yvonne brought up the subject of just one of her errant daughters. "Denny tells me you're fixing it for her to go and see Dockley. When I last spoke to you about it, you said it was only a possibility." "Any more cannabis cookies, and it'll stay a possibility," Karen said firmly, lighting a cigarette. "But yes, I am putting it into place, or at least trying to. I've given Denny specific instruction to exhibit impeccable behaviour for the next month. That was last week, so she's doing well so far. What do you think about her going to see Shell?" "I'm not sure I entirely agree with it," Yvonne said carefully. "But she's an inmate in your care, so I'll assume you know best." "I'm open to persuasion, on any side of the argument, Yvonne. You probably know Denny better than any of us." "I just don't want Denny slipping back into her old ways, that's all." "And you think that Shell might have that effect on her?" "I think it's a possibility. Just, when you're making the final decision, please try to take that into consideration." "I will," Karen said seriously. "I'll do everything in my power to look after Lauren and Denny. I owe you that much, at least."