It was a crisp Sunday morning at the beginning of October and Marjorie was humming to herself as she was finishing tidying the flat. She was quite enjoying living by herself these days and didn’t need to keep ringing her daughter for advice about everything now she had Raymond on the end of the phone. Plus there was usually something going on with the Afternoon Tea Club. So that was a bit of a lifeline for her. And she’d found she was quite good at drawing, like she had been as a youngster. In fact, Eva had been very encouraging with all of them now they were able to dump their worries at the door before entering the class. And the results were speaking for themselves since even Dora’s chimneys no longer looked like giraffes!
‘See? You can ALL draw now! You could draw before, of course. But your nerves got in the way,’ she’d told them last time.
Marjorie, Raymond, Dora and Stacy still went to the drawing classes. It was something they enjoyed doing together. Other people had joined and then left. But the four of them were the mainstays. In fact, Marjorie had started drawing on a regular basis when she was at home, alone, with nothing much else to do. She hadn’t continued with the painting, though. It hadn’t really been her thing. But she knew Raymond and Michael still went. It was great for the both of them having a bit of man-time together.
After a bit of practice she’d managed to sketch the outside bird table with a couple of blue tits pecking crumbs that she was going to show Eva the next time she went to class. She’d been to town and bought a couple of new pencils. She’d asked the shop assistant to advise her which were the best ones for how she wanted to draw the birds. It had taken her a couple of days doing the rough sketches before tackling the finished picture. But she’d thoroughly enjoyed doing it. And she was thrilled she’d finally found something else that she could do when she was home alone in the afternoons. And if Eva sang her praises she was going to attempt a vase of flowers next!
She’d just put the vacuum cleaner away and switched the washing machine on to do her bed linen when the doorbell rang. And there, much to her surprise, stood Dora with a cabin-size suitcase.
‘I know it’s been a good few days since you asked but my ox of a mother has been getting on my nerves. So the answer’s yes, if you’ll still have me?’ Dora said, with a smile. ‘Just for a few weeks until I find my new home.’
Marjorie’s jaw dropped open. Well, after her and Dora’s rocky start she hadn’t really thought Dora would have taken her up on her offer. But since that day at the community centre they now had a much better understanding of each other. So why not? Dora was obviously happy with the offer, otherwise she wouldn’t be here. But Marjorie looked down at Dora’s bag, puzzled.
‘Is that all you’ve got?’
‘Well I’m a traveller, through and through, Marjorie. I have no furniture or anything of that nature. At the hotel we lived in the owner’s flat, which was fully furnished from the get-go. So I’ve never had to buy that sort of thing. And I don’t have any knick-knacks of any description either. Wherever I’ve gone I’ve always travelled light. So all I have is just a few items of clothing. I don’t have any long dresses or fancy evening wear because I never go anywhere fancy. So this is me.’
‘Well, come on into your new temporary home then! Oh, but just one thing: I’m off to my daughter’s in the next hour because it’s her birthday. I’m quite excited because I’ve held off going to see where they live until now. I wanted them to have some proper time together before I came trotting along. But her lovely boyfriend Steven is taking us out for Sunday lunch and he’s coming to fetch me any minute now. I can’t wait! But let’s get you settled. So, this is your room through here. It’s a nice bright room. The bathroom’s there. I did my Saturday shop, yesterday, and the fridge is full, so just help yourself to whatever you fancy. There’s a spare drawer in the bathroom you can use for all your toiletries. I’ll be out until about 5 p.m. today. Have you got my mobile number?’
‘Yes, you gave it me at your party, remember?’
‘Okay grand. Right, so can I make you a cuppa whilst we’re getting you settled in?’
***
Stacy was pacing the room. She was not one for biting her fingernails but both her forefingers were now bitten down to the quick and she was randomly biting her others.
Her mother’s cryptic voicemail message was: ‘Prepare yourself, Stacy. We’re all going off to see Peter and Marvin for lunch today. Dad and I will pick you up around 9.30 a.m. so get ready and be waiting. Oh and I’ve smoothed things over with your father, so please don’t worry.’
That message could mean anything or it could mean nothing but Stacy did not want to spend any time in her father’s presence if there was going to be an almighty row when Marvin and her father came face to face later that day. She also didn’t want to spend time in their car for a couple of hours en route not knowing what to say; not sure if something might start him off thinking about things and then a huge argument ensuing between them all.
She couldn’t stand the uncertainty of it so she rang her brother.
‘Peter?’
‘No, it’s Marvin. That future sister-in-law? Oh hiya, Stacy.’
‘Hello, Marvin. Look, um. My mum said we’re supposed to be coming over to yours for Sunday lunch. Is that true?’
‘It is, sweetheart. Apparently your mum has, what she terms, “sorted your father out”, whatever that means.’
‘Yes, she can be cryptic sometimes, which is worrying. I must say, you’re taking this very well, Marvin. But I’m sure Peter’s told you about our family, by now, and you certainly know from last time what Dad’s like?’
‘Uh-huh. Look, don’t worry. Pete and I have spoken about this at length. I know he’s as worried about this as you are. But the reality is that there are homophobic people out there. Always will be. Now, I don’t like it any more than you or Pete, but sometimes in life you have to acknowledge that we’re not living in a fairy story where everything will always work out okay. Pete and I have encountered prejudice before and we have to accept that’s the way it will be for some folk. However, we try to avoid trouble whenever possible. And we know it’s naïve to think you can do exactly as you please in life. Life doesn’t work like that. But anyway, this is a first step towards some sort of acceptance, I suppose. So, look, we’ll see you later and see how it all goes. But, sweetheart, it’s not your bad if it doesn’t work out.’
‘Okay. Thanks, Marvin.’
Well, that felt better. The nail chewing could stop. She’d done her bit. Peter was so lucky to have such an understanding partner. Even so, she was still worried as to what would happen at their door. How would her father actually greet Marvin?
Her doorbell rang at 9.35 a.m. and her mother was standing on the mat.
‘Your father’s outside, so are you ready?’
‘Look, Mum. Come in a minute. Now, exactly what is going to happen here? What’s happening with Dad? He was furious last time. I mean I don’t want this visit to be awful, too, with everyone tippy-toeing around, you know. I feel it’s all my fault for putting you in that situation when you came to mine last time. But I wasn’t being awkward towards Dad. It was to try and get everybody to come together to try and understand each other.’
‘I know that Stacy. Look, okay, let’s have a quick chat, before we go. Let me tell you about how things have been. You might understand a little better then,’ her mother said with a sigh. ‘Right, so I have lived with your father for a long time. We met at a barn dance in the old village hall. He seemed a warmer person then but he was never very affectionate. I have foregone a much better social life to be his wife and work the farm, even though I knew I would inherit it, eventually. But farming is not an easy life. It’s well known that you make sacrifices to live and work on a farm. The hours are very unsociable, for a start. My family struggled with it all their lives. And your dad and I struggled in the beginning, continuing with their animals and then it not working out and changing over to arable farming, which could’ve been a really risky move.
‘I went through a period when I certainly wanted to give up. And things weren’t always easy between Jerry and I, but then most couples experience conflict and problems. I even wanted to give up and try a life without your father. Yet I had the two of you to consider and I couldn’t just up sticks and leave because where would we have gone? Anyway, around that uncertain time for us the price per tonne of crops dropped, so your father was working harder than ever to compensate. Then we laid old Jack off, because we couldn’t afford to pay him. Do you remember him? And then my mother died. And then weeks later your father’s parents died in that car crash and he was gutted. So I knew I had to stay and help him cope with all of that. But they were very testing times for us!
‘And then Peter walking out of the door, the moment he turned eighteen and then you, a few months after your eighteenth told me something. I knew your father’s stern ways and – yes, if I’m honest – my lack of empathy hadn’t motivated you both. It had sent you both out of the door. But, my God, I was lost without you both. Oh I buried myself in my daily activities, not sure whether to think about leaving again or not. And then my father went into the nursing home and I was given power of attorney. And that finally meant I had some control over our future. Previously, he’d pulled the strings, regarding the farm. But we’ve had a lifetime of that farm and, after the two of you left, I decided I didn’t want it any more. I wanted my father to sell it so we could move to a little cottage near the sea, but we didn’t quite have enough savings for that, so we had a long talk about things – including my wanting to leave. But he persuaded me to stay and I decided to carry on. I stayed with your father and we saved hard. I will admit that I was saving so we could either retire together, if that’s what we decided when the time came, or so I could leave and be by myself, without your father, Stacy.’
‘You told me some of that before, Mum. But I didn’t know you wanted to leave Dad.’
‘I know. But what I hadn’t told you is that I really think I would like to live in a little cottage, and have a different, more enjoyable kind of life with holidays and days out to see my children and, hopefully, their own families when they eventually marry and settle down. But I’ll do that by myself, without your father, if he cannot conduct himself in a more affable way. Does that surprise you, Stacy?’
‘Yes, a little, I suppose. But I certainly hope he doesn’t blame me for starting this all off about Marvin and stuff?’ Stacy said, suddenly feeling guilty and wondering if her father might have a go at her later about the problems he felt she was causing.
‘No, love. This is about my relationship with your father. Our relationship as a family unit has suffered because of the problems between your dad and me. But it was only when your grandfather went into that nursing home that I felt empowered to act, you see. And when you came back to us after your fall and we got chatting, and when I reconnected with Peter again and met Marvin, that’s when I realised my children should no longer suffer because of your father and I. However, I can finally admit, now, that we’ve not been great parents and I do apologise for that, Stacy.’
‘Okay, Mum. But if you bought a cottage near the sea, somewhere, could I come and stay with you? And could we have more get-togethers with Peter and Marvin? Like a proper family and without walking on eggshells all the time?’
‘We could do all of those things, Stacy. But listen, getting back to today. I’ve told him I’m giving him this one last chance to be civil to my boy and Marvin. And he knows that if he isn’t – if one hurtful word comes out of his mouth, today, in any respect – I’ve told him I’m going. He’s such a stubborn man, yet we could have such a wonderful future if he got his act together. So I’m hoping today will turn out fine for everybody.’
‘I really hope it works out, too.’
‘Right, well, now you know what the situation is between us. So let’s go, Stacy, or he’ll wonder what we’re doing.’
Stacy closed the door to her flat with a click. Despite what her mother had said, and even though it had made her feel better about things, she was dreading what her father might say to her when they got to the car. She actually felt a little sorry for him. Did he really know what he’d put the family through because of his own lack of empathy? They’d never spoken to each other except for his instructions to them as children. They’d never asked opinions of each other, never discussed their likes or dislikes or garnered any views about politics or anything at all. They were like strangers. Yet where would he be if her mother left him? How would her father cope with that?
As they approached her father’s old Toyota, Stacy could see he wore a frown. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him with relaxed features. No wonder he had hard lines all over his face, although some of those lines were from squinting in the sun when he’d forgotten to wear his hat, whilst working in the fields.
‘What took you so long?’ he grumbled.
‘I forgot to pick this up,’ Stacy said, thinking on the spot and then holding up the bottle of red wine she’d got for Peter. ‘So we had to go back.’
Her father grunted but seemed to accept her excuse.
Stacy didn’t feel compelled to make small talk whilst they drove along because her mother took care of that. Plus she’d chosen to sit behind her father so she wouldn’t have to make eye contact with him in the mirror. The car’s interior smelled musty and the seats were worn at the edges. Everything about her parents was worn and tired, Stacy realised.
But she was so relieved it was Peter who opened the door to them when they arrived at his flat. He must’ve seen the look of relief on her face, as he hugged her because he whispered, ‘Don’t worry about it all, sis. We’ve got this,’ before turning to their parents. ‘Hi, Mum, Dad.’
‘Wow, it’s beautiful, Peter!’ Stacy said breathlessly, as she walked down the wide hall to the lounge.
Their flat looked like something straight from the pages of a slick home magazine. The kitchen, lounge and dining room were open plan, opening onto a balcony with distant views of the sea. The walls were a soft aquamarine; the kitchen units and the two large sofas were cream. There was a turquoise throw over one of the sofas and maple-veneered floorboards. Shelving incorporating a desk area and huge TV was along one wall; a colourful Turkish rug graced the floor.
‘Good grief,’ Stacy’s mother gasped. ‘It’s amazing. I love it. Oh I’d love something like this when we move.’
‘You’re moving then?’ said Peter, surprised.
‘Hope to, love. Time for a change. Time to move on.’
Their father had shaken hands with Peter at the door because his wife had nudged him in encouragement. He’d walked slowly into the property, looking around himself, nervously. Stacy knew he was half looking around in case Marvin jumped out at him, larger than life.
‘Um, Marvin will be here soon. He’s just been to see his mum,’ Peter almost whispered. ‘Go have a look around. There’s two large bedrooms and two bathrooms, similar sort of décor. Marvin’s the interior designer. It’s his trade you see. I’m the computer buff.’
‘Well, I can see he’s very artistic,’ said their mother, walking around in wonder. Their father cautiously sat down on one of the sofas. He looked out of place in his tweed suit. Peter went to sit next to him.
‘Hi, Dad. Pleased you came. Um, I know this is hard for you. But I just wanted to say that this is the way it is, you see. We’ve, um, we’ve had various reactions over the years. So it’s been hard for me and Marvin, too. But we’re all trying today and I know this is going to be uncomfortable for you. But I must say I’m pleased you made the effort. So thanks for that, Dad.’
Jerry said nothing. He just sat with his hands in his lap, looking at the floor. Peter had said his piece. There was nothing else he could do. But just at that moment, the front door swung open and Marvin waltzed in with a bag of groceries, followed by a small plump woman in a fitted black dress, short dark hair, hooped gold earrings, a broad smile and a twinkle in her eye.
‘Hello, hello!’ she sang. ‘I’m Marvin’s mum and I thought it was high time we all met, being as we’re all going to be related by marriage soon, eh? Ha, ha!’
She took the groceries off Marvin and shooed him out of the kitchen area.
‘Told them I’d do the cooking. Well, they can probably cook but they prefer to go out or get takeaways. Not the way I’d conduct myself. High calories don’t suit my waistline, as you can see! Right, so is anyone going to introduce me? My name’s Bella. Oh and I can see you’re Jerry! Well, Jezza, you’re going to have to loosen up and start accepting what’s happening here. These two boys love each other and they’re getting married, whether you like it or not. It was a shock to me at first but what can you do? It’s the way of the world, old man. You gotta take it with a pinch of salt. Drinks anyone?’
Well, Jerry’s face was a picture!
His jaw fell to the floor; his cheeks flared red. Stacy’s hand shot to her mouth. Was he going to explode? Her mother seemed to be trying her hardest not to burst out laughing at the breath of fresh air who was this astonishing, wonderful woman in front of them.
And then Stacy knew, in an instant, that Marvin’s mum was going to be the best thing about Sunday lunch that day!