The Apple Doesnt Fall Far
Youre just like your mother!
In what way, Gran? Ellie automatically braced herself as though ducking a flying saucer, but then reminded herself she wasnt actually under siege. Who was she defending against, anyway?
Crafty! Just like her. Never listened to a soul! Werent having any of it! And now youre the samejust the same!
What is it Im meant to listen to?
Me! You should listen to meand show some respect! As your grandmother, Ive got a lot more experience, you know! Understood?
Ellie stared at her slightly flustered, flushed grandma, who punctuated her words by wagging a finger right under Ellies nose.
Fascinating, really. Why did Gran seem to think the world should revolve around her opinion? Breezes in and expects to be obeyedlike an unwashable stain.
Ellie flexed her fingers unconsciously, as if holding a piece of putty and wishing she could knead this day into a better shape. Something a bit brighter, minus the drama, shadows, and shouting. Mum never raised her voice. She always said normal people know how to listen.
Ears out, Ellielisten up, alright? Like a little bunny! Dyou know why bunnies listen so well? Because foxes are quiet as a wisp, treading ever so lightly. If a bunny doesnt listen, a fox willchomp!and snatch him up.
Dont say that! little Ellie would freeze, eyes wide at her mum.
Of course not. But thats why bunnies are cleverlistening very carefully and running off in a flash! No fox will catch a sensible bunny.
That was long ago. Ellie was nearly grown up now, but she still remembered her mums little lessons word for word.
Strange, really As a child, she thought her mum exaggerated, or just got things muddled. But now? Turns out Mum was absolutely spot on!
Take Gran, for example. Ellie only met her last year. Before that, she lived with her mum in a tiny seaside townWhitstablewent to nursery, had arguments with Abigail and Daisy, made up, dashed off for ice cream by the old pier, and later went to school, had Mitchell, first kisses as the sun set over the Kent coast
And Mum was always there.
Ellie clutched the chunky turquoise bead on her home-made braceleta little secret from Mum.
So what if its not real? Look how lovely it is! Sometimes, darling, the real thing can be bitter and difficultand it wont bring you happiness, or warmth. A substitute, thoughnot always so bad!
How do you mean?
A few weeks ago, what did you and Abigail fall out about?
She said we were poor, and you didnt buy me proper branded trainersjust knockoffs. Told everyone she knew what the real ones looked like.
She was rightyour trainers were handmade by Uncle Rupert. But nobody said they were designer, did they?
No, Mum.
But theyre good leather, look nice, and were made with love. Uncle Rupert doesnt know any other way. Do you like them?
I do!
Exactly! Who cares if theyre branded or not? People only made that up to act superior. Ive got this cloth, you haventso Im better! Is that right?
No.
There you are, then! As long as youre not fake inside, the rest doesnt matter. Some people obsess over labels, others value what they have. If you realise lifes about more than tags, youll be happier.
Ellie thought long and hard about thatlong enough to wash her floor and Mums. Then she wandered into the kitchen, where Mum was stirring her favourite apricot jam, and asked,
Mum, does that mean Abigail isnt my best friend? Sometimes she says nice things, thenbamshes horrid. And I know she liked my trainersa lot. Justshe wouldnt say it.
How do you know?
Daisy told me. She said Abigail whinged at her mum, wanting trainers better than mine.
Oh, Ellie. Mum put down her wooden spoon and squeezed her daughter tight. Dont go chucking friendships out the window. Abigails still little, just like you
Im not!
Ellie wriggled free, chin up and eyes sparkingthough Mum knew all Annies anger was really for herself. She was cross for thinking badly of a friend.
For me, youre both little girls, Mum said gently. To your mum, youll always be her baby, and to Abigailsthe same. Thats not so bad, is it? My mums been gone a long time, and oh, what Id give to be little againjust for a cuddle
Mum frowned a little and kissed Ellies head.
Well! Look at me, wittering on. We were talking about you and Abigail. Just give it time. Remember how she carried you home when you fell off the swings? She was more scared for you than herselfeven grazed both knees leaping after you. The doctor joked about giving her an injection as well, for good measure. You remember?
Yes
And when she brought you those new markers her dad bought? Handed them over when you were poorly and I wouldnt let her visit. Said you must draw her the prettiest picture for her to hang on her wall and wait for you to get better. You remember?
I do
Well then! Forget the trainersthats all nonsense. Youll both grow out of it and realise what matters. Dont lose what youve got, alright?
She already came round
What for?
To make up. Said sorry.
And you?
I said I never wanted to see her again, and were not poor!
Were you angry?
Furious!
And now?
Still grumpybut not much
Well, wait till youre not grumpy at all. Then, make up. If you do it now, youll only half-forgive her and still feel cross. Before you know it, youll fall out properly!
Right now, Ellie missed her mum dreadfully. Mum wouldve known exactly what to sayespecially now Gran was around
Gran turned up out of the blue.
Ellie had no clue her mum wasnt well, or that shed written to her ex-mother-in-law (Gran!), asking her to come.
Good grief, Irene! Never thought Id see the day, boomed Granrosy, plus-sized and breathless as she plopped her suitcase down. Its stifling! Not sure how Ill survive this heat!
Hello, Patricia, Mum answered. Her voice sounded a bit odd, Ellie thought.
This is Ellie? Gran squinted at her. No resemblance at all. Are you sure she’s Simon’s?
Youre never going to change,” Mum replied, and burst out laughing. Ellie felt a bit calmer. Well, well see how it goes, she thought to herself.
Gran wasnt Ellies cup of tealoud, jittery, always fussing. She swept into their house and created a whirlwind of tidying and drama.
Mess everywhereas always! How hard would it be to pick up, Irene? Youve got a daughter! Shell never land a husband like thishell chuck her out on day one, and serve her right!
Ellie couldnt work out why her mum just grinned quietly and didnt protest. She watched Gran race round, clattering and rearranging, but didnt try to stop her.
Even the catsthe hopeless pairlost their usual bravado and slinked into hiding. And Grey, the dog Uncle Rupert gave Ellie, shuffled outside and threw himself in the shade, only giving the faintest grunt when Grans voice got too shrill.
There! Only the dog has any sense. Knows hes not wanted inside! Animals in the houseno such thing!
On hearing this (and no doubt spotting Grans mop), the cats scarpered as well.
And thats when Ellie finally stood her ground. She scooped up her favourite, Biscuit, and marched off to her room.
Whats this about? Gran barked, loud enough to make Grey woof.
They’re stayingcats and all! They were here before you. You’re a guest in our housebe our guest! But in your own home, do what you like.
Mum nearly gasped out loud. Shed never heard her daughter talk to a grownup like that.
Gran didnt even take offence. She squinted, smirked, and muttered, A chip off the old block. Irene, you really ought to have raised her better!
From then on, Gran left the cats aloneshe just nudged them away with her foot if they got under it.
Not that anyone had much time for cats now. Events moved so fast, Ellie just stared at the old clock on the hall dresser, wishing time would stop for a second.
Why was time in such a hurry? Why couldnt it just pause? Mum was still youngEllie needed her! It felt all wrong.
But time didnt care. The minutes ticked on, as if actively ignoring her pleas.
Doctors. Tablets. Hospital.
Mum slipped away on a mild spring morning.
The evening before, Ellie had opened all the windows to let in the first proper sea breeze, whispering, Mum, your cherry tree will be flowering soon. Any day now!
Ill try my best, darlingI want to see it!
When told her mum was gone, Ellie stomped outside and snapped off the branch growing toward the bedroom window. No one was there to look at it now
Gran wasnt one for mollycoddling. She clamped Ellie into a mammoth hug and pulled out a handkerchief the size of a bedsheet.
Cry it out, shout it out, girl! Let it go, its no use to you. Theres nothing you could have donelifes got an end for us all.
Where had Gran got words like that? How did she know what was twisting Ellie inside out? Because, really, Ellie was blaming herself. Mum worked too hard, slept too little, all for her. Mum wanted her to go to university, do well.
And what did Ellie do? Shed been out with Mitchell and her friends instead of revising, dropped to average gradeseven though the end of school was in sight. Shed started to put in the effort, but never got to tell Mum she was buckling down, not wanting to worry her.
Gran only gave her Mums letter at the forty-days mark.
Go on, you can have it now. Read it carefullyit’s your mothers will for you.
Whys it already open? Ellie examined the plain white envelope.
To Elliewas all that was scrawled on the back in Mums flowing hand.
What do you take me for? I might not be sugar and spice, but read someone elses wordsnever! Now off you go. Ive got enough cleaning to keep me forever. If you want to help, you know where to find me. But dont dawdle here!
Hurt, Ellie recognised Grans sulk straight away. Not shouting, not arguing. Just a downturned face, slamming the door. Ellie leaned her forehead on the doorpost, where pencil lines still marked her growthMums handiwork.
My, how youve grown, Ellie! So big now!
Mums voice was so vivid in her memory, Ellie flinched.
Grown up? If only! If she really was mature, she wouldnt go upsetting folk for nothing. Her mum wouldnt have welcomed that attitude.
She closed herself in her room, sat cross-legged on the carpet, the envelope heavy in her lap. So much left unsaid, and unsaid by Mum
The envelope was stuffed with pages covered in curls of handwriting on squared paper. Ellie hugged Biscuitthe fidgety catflicked out the bundle, and began to read.
Ellie! Stop crying this minute! Youre strong, arent you? Why the waterworks? Lifes brilliant and packed with good thingsappreciate it! Dont waste your time grieving for what didnt happen. Youll say, But Mum, we had so little time together. I say, we had loads! You cant imagine how much. Let me tell you our story, because its yours as much as mine.
Where to begin? Probably with how I met your dad. He was a marvel. From the first moment, I loved him. My friends mocked me: But hes ginger! Silly girls, they never saw how bright and warm he waslike a sunshine. You took after him, you knownot in looks, but the freckles, eyes, and nose. The rest is all me. When you were born, he kept staring, hoping youd get his mums curlsyour Gran Patricia.
Ellie, shes really a good person. Dont mind her bluster. Shes always been abrupt, loud, and gruffbut trustworthy, with a heart of gold.
Youll wonder why you didnt know her. Thats on me. I was young and dim. Didnt understand her back then.
Sorry, sweetheart.
She and I had a huge argument when you were little. Your dad and I were fine, until he Well, he met someone who became his world. These things happen, Ellie.
Not because he didnt love ushe did! But he found someone he couldnt ignore. And me? I always loved him more. He stayed for your sake long after the love faded. But then he met her, and couldnt pretend anymore. He was honest.
I get that now. Back then, the pain was unbearable. And then Patricia arrived
I know now, she just wanted sense knocked into her son. She wanted us to patch things up. But in true Patricia style, it was all, And whos cleaning up around here? I snapped. We said things you cant take back. At one point, I even screamed that you werent her grandchild.
God, how foolish I was! Mistakes are so easy to make, arent they, but so hard to own up to.
I shouldve remembered how, when I was in hospital before you were born, thinking you might not make it, she dropped everything, moved in, steamed up cottage pie after cottage pie and set my flat in such order it took me months to find anything. She only went home when she was completely sure we were alright.
I never knew shed gone to meet the new woman. Tried to sort things out. Swore shed never accept her, then didand loved her kids as her own. Ellie, you have a brother and a sister. Gran can introduce you if you want. Its better to have family around, trust me.
Now for what happens nextEllie, study! I want you to have a future. But choose it yourself. Dont let anyone push you. You remember our talks? What to study, and how to use your natural gifts? You have talent, my girlmake use of it. Not many get that chance. Since nature was so generous with you, be brave! Itll be toughbut Ive asked Gran to help. There are savings, not much after all lifes thrown us, but enough for a year or so. After that, youre clever, youll manageremember how tourists used to buy your hand-painted bags and little pictures? Youll sell more in London! Keep dreamingmake it real. One day, your exhibition will open in a gallery, and Ill be proudeven if you dont see me. Ill know.
I love you! I worry for you! But I trust youyoure strong, and clever!
Now dry those tears, I mean it.
Mum.
Ellie put the letter aside, her head bowed, snifflingMum said no more tears!
Biscuit was already dozing beside her, twitching in his sleep, but Ellie just sat, trying to work out how to go on.
The answer came when Gran bustled in, flicked on the lights and ordered,
Up you get! Teas on and I wont have moping under my roof. Lets get cracking. More to life than tears!
As for her artistic ambitions, Gran was not impressed. She rounded on Ellie for not wanting a proper jobWhats wrong with being an accountant? Good money, steady work!
Ellie simply refused to listen. Thats when Gran declared she was as stubborn as a mule and reminded her how words could ruin a whole family for years.
I kept looking for you! Sent requests everywhere! How was I to know your mum changed your name and picked a new surname? If it was her maiden name, maybe, but she went for something else entirely! Clever clogs, your Uncle Rupert, helped her, did he?
Ill sort him out! Denied me my granddaughter all these yearshell have a few words from me!
Dont! Hes a good man. He looked after us for yearshe even tried to get Mum to marry him.
Did she?
Nope, loved Dad. If only Id known more, maybe I couldve convinced her
Life, eh! Gran planted a plate in front of Ellie. Eat up and think about what Ive said! Artist! Why not an accountant, thats what I want to know! Sound profession, pays wellwhat use is paint to anyone?
Gran! Not in front of others!
So what? If you can keep someone elses books, youll soon have some of your own.
I dont want that! Its not me, cant you see?
Oh, what would I know?!”
I don’t want to hurt your feelings. Please understandI want to do what makes me happy! Mum said she gave you money for me? In a month, Im eighteen. Give it to me and Ill gono fuss. You wont have to worry about me anymore. Ill cope.
Gran puffed up indignantly, waggled her famous pointing finger, then changed her mind, looked Ellie up and down, grinned, and made that classic three-finger sign we all learn before year three.
Fine! Ill come with you! Make sure you become a proper artist. I promised your mother, and I keep my promises. Enough chat! Eat your dinner, its stone cold!
A few years later, in a tiny London gallery, three unlikely visitors wandered around a new show.
A red-haired, slightly windswept, generously built woman, a tall, lanky fellow in trendy glasses, and Ellie, balanced on one hip, her little boy perched on the other.
Well? she finally asked, though shed sworn a hundred times she wouldnt beg for Grans opinion.
Gran looked her up and down, sniffed, snatched the child, wiped his nose, and slung him over her shoulder.
Not bad! Good frames too. But you do waste a lot of paint, you knowcouldve made these smaller! And your studios a tip! I was in there this morninganyone could break their neck! George!to the bespectacled chapAre you even looking?
Whats wrong, Patricia?
Shes got circles under her eyes bigger than mine! Clearly not sleeping. Right! I’ll take Sam today. You two, catch up on your sleepor at least try to look human. Come back after the weekend! Alright? Come on, little man.
And as she passed by, Gran paused, stroked Ellies cheek, and whispered,
Your mum would be so proud, love. And so am I, you know that? Good girl. Apple never falls far
Copyright ©Ellie couldnt answerher throat was too tight, her heart full up with everything shed carried, everything shed gained. She watched Gran march off, Sam on her hip like a ships cargo, already fussing about the sticky handprints on her cardigan and how no gallery in its right mind would survive without proper dusting.
The gallery door swung shut behind them, leaving Ellie and George alone in the sudden hush. She looked aroundher paintings glowed under the soft lights, bright and brave and a little bit messy, just like her life had been.
That went well, George ventured, looping a gentle arm round her waist.
Better than I hoped, Ellie smiled, thinking of Mum, thinking of Gran, thinking of all the loud, beautiful, complicated love that had pulled her through. She touched the old turquoise bead at her wrista secret, a wish, a promise.
Outside, she caught the faintest whiff of cherry blossom, carried up from the patch of city green that Gran insisted on calling almost a garden. Spring come round again, stubborn as memory. Somewhere in the corridor, she heard Sams shriek of delight, answered by Grans laughterdeep and capable, echoing down the painted walls.
Ellie stepped forward, letting her eyes sweep the room, the frames, every color and story stitched into canvas and wood. She belonged hereevery stubborn bit of her, every bright piece that once felt lost, every petal of love pressed between the pages of her life.
She took a steady breath, feeling it settle inside her.
Yes, she whispered, and smiled, I think Im just like my mother after all.
And this time, she meant it as the very best thing in the world.
