We lost Catherine Her sons came down from London to the village for her memorial. At least theyve shown up now, the neighbours whispered among themselves. At least theyve seen their mum off for the last time. When the wake ended, the sons and their families started packing up to head home. Suddenly, Aunt LindaCatherines sisterwalked into the sitting room.
Aunt Linda, we need to get going, the eldest son said, his voice gentle but firm. Well need to lock up the house. You should probably hit the road too.
Go? Linda answered, raising her eyebrows. But this is my home. Ive no place else to be. Everyone stared at her, surprised.
Now, let me take you back a bit.
Rita and James tied the knot and moved in with James’s mum. It was a simple weddingjust a small do at the local church, only close family and friends. Theyd decided to save their savings for something else instead of splashing out on a big wedding or renting another place.
Before this, James lived with his mum, and Rita was in a council flat. Shed never really had a proper homeher mother was always out partying, and she never knew her dad. Rita’s mum hardly ever bothered with her, so she learned to fend for herself from a young age.
Jamess mum figured the couple would want some time alone to settle in. So, she took some holiday from work and went off to her sister Catherines cottage in the countryside for a few weeks.
She often stayed there. Catherine lived by herself. Her husband had passed, and her two sons hardly ever visited or phoned. Youd think theyd check in on her, but apparently, they had their own priorities.
Catherine was a bit put out by thatsurely a mum deserves a call now and then? But she never asked them for much. She managed on her own and sometimes asked a neighbour for a hand. Occasionally, her nephew James popped round with his wife and his sister. But now James was married, and she wondered if hed forget his old aunt, just like her sons had. Her sons never brought their wives around eitherCatherine had only met them at the weddings. No grandkids either. Too soon, theyd say.
One morning, Catherine saw Linda, her face lighting up. Linda, youre here! My lovely sister! From infancy, theyd been thick as thieves, but Linda had moved to London and married, while Catherine stayed and kept her roots in the countryside. Both their husbands had died the same yearthey never remarried.
Linda flung off her coat and plonked her suitcase down. Youre the lady of the house for now. Ive got another week until my leave starts, she joked. “Why didnt James come? Thought he might bring his new wife to see their aunt. Or maybe theyve gone off on some honeymoon by the seaside?
No, theyre saving up. Didn’t want a fancy weddingjust a registry office and thats it. Ritas barely got any family. Her mums well, not really present. She left home ages ago. Poor thing, shes lovely.
So why didnt you bring the newlyweds with you here?
I wanted them to have some space, let them get settled together. And besides, they need to find their feet. I never thought James would get married; hes thirty already! Thank heavens he did, finally.”
Theyre already used to each other. Why dont they come down to the country? City life isnt much of a honeymoon. Give your aunt a ring! This house is hugeplenty of room. If they don’t like it, you’re only a couple of hours from London.
James and Rita showed up a day later, and Catherine was overjoyed. Her own sons never showed up, no matter how many times she asked.
Im just so glad youre here! Catherine beamed. My sons never botheralways too busy. Her voice trailed off with a touch of sadness.
Rita took to the quiet country life. It brought back memories of childhood weekends with her gran. That all stopped when Gran passed awayRita was fifteen and had to support herself while studying.
Catherine worked in the garden. Linda was happy to take it easy and cooked for everyone. James repaired the fence by the old wash house and sorted out the barn roof. Rita was out in the veg patch from dawn till dusk.
Oh, Rita, leave the weeds! My holidays soon and Ill handle it thengo and relax!
Its really no bother, honestly. I used to help Nan with all this. I enjoy getting my hands dirty. You rest on your break.
Those weeks flew by, and soon the guests were gone. Catherine was left on her own again, everything sorted but the house now too quiet. She found the evenings lonely and eventually called her eldest.
Whats happened, Mum? Everything alright?
Oh, nothing reallyjust wanted to check in, see how you are. Maybe youd visit?
Were busy at the moment. Try my brother, he might not be going on holiday after all.
She tried her younger sonwith the same result. They were off to Cornwall, no time for their mother. Never mind, James had promised to visit
Years rolled on. James and Rita bought their own flat in Surrey. They always popped back to Catherines, brought their kids too. Sometimes, the little ones spent all summer with both Catherine and Lindaboth sisters now retired, proper grandmas to Jamess kids.
Catherine never got to hold her own grandchildren from her sons, though. The younger one married a woman with a child already, and the elder buried himself in his career. Kids never fit in his plans. Hed show up once every three or four years and think that was enoughDont worry, Mum, we havent forgotten you!
But Catherine was grateful for James, Rita, and, of course, Linda.
Thats how they lived until Catherine started getting poorly. She needed treatment, but it was expensive. She rang her younger son and explained everything.
Well, Mum, youve never even set foot in a spa or a hotelbit late to start now. Youll get better at home. Nothing like your own four walls, is there?
It was James and Rita who paid for Catherine and Linda to spend a few weeks at one of those spa retreats in Devon. Let both sisters have a bit of a break together.
Catherine passed away four years later. Her sons travelled down for the memorial.
At least theyve made it this time, the neighbours whispered among themselves. At least theyve seen her off properly.
When the city crowd were getting ready to leave, Aunt Linda was still sitting in the front room with Jamess family.
Aunt Linda, we really should be on our way, the eldest son said, fiddling with his coat. We’ll lock up the house. Best for you to head back as well.
Head back? Linda raised her brow, bemused. But this is home now. Ive nowhere else to be.
Everyone stared at Linda in silence.
This was our mothers house, the younger son said. Which means now its ours. Were going to sell it. If you want a keepsakea vase, some old chinahelp yourself before we clear it all out.
You take something to remember your mother by, if you like, Linda replied. But the houseCatherine gave it to me when she got ill, just after her treatment in Devon.
Devon? She gifted you the house? How? Were her sons!
You remember now? Where were you when your mum needed you? You werent here when she was sick, not once. Sons, indeed!
The sons left without another word, not even trying to defend themselves. Now theres nowhere for them to visit, nobody to call.
Linda moved into Catherines cottage. She rents out her old flat now, helps her sons family, and they come to visit her, always happy to lend a hand. Theyre a close-knit, loving familyjust missing Catherine.
But really, shes never far away. She lives on, always in their hearts.
