It all started when I got a call from my mums neighbour.
Hello Rosie, love, she greeted.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Smith, I replied, surprised.
How are you keeping? How are the children? she continued.
Were all fine, thank you, I answered, but a niggling worry started at the back of my mind.
Its never just a friendly chat when Mrs. Smith calls. My gut feeling was spot on.
Rosie, when was the last time you saw your mum? she asked.
A wave of guilt crashed over me. I sighed. Wed been living separately for years, and ever since my son started school, my days became a blur. Mornings spent making everyones breakfasts, tidying up, getting him off to school, then a whole day at work. After work, it’s straight to the shops and back home in a rushcooking dinner, washing up, helping with homework… By evening, I was spentabsolutely knackered. Visiting Mum? Who had the energy? Weekends were no bettercleaning, laundry, ironing, hoping for five minutes to just breathe. Truth be told, rare were the times we managed to pop round to see her.
Its been a while, Mrs. Smith, I confessed. I keep meaning to, just havent found the time. Was planning to on Saturday
You havent noticed anything odd about your mum lately, have you? her voice lowered, cautious.
What do you mean? I asked, anxiety tightening my chest.
Wellhas she been acting different, behaving strangely at all?
Nonothing out of the ordinary, I replied, but unease was swirling inside me. Why, whats going on?
Oh Rosie, Im not sure I should say Mrs. Smith hesitated. Maybe Im overstepping
What happened? I practically barked into the phone, my imagination showing me all manner of horrors.
Your mums lost her senses in her old age! Mrs. Smith blurted.
Oh come on now! I protested. Whatever makes you say that?
Shes taken up with a man! Having a fling, she is!
Thats impossible! I burst out laughing. Mums well into her seventies, come off it!
Youd be surprised, love, she replied, rather put out. I know what I saw! Saw it with my own eyes!
A lover?
No, your mother! She told me herself! Mrs. Smith said, her words tumbling out now. Listen to this! I ran into her on the high street yesterday. She barges past in such a rush she nearly missed me, until I called her back. Sorry Jean, she says, I dont have time, need to buy some fish. Do you reckon cod or haddocks better? So I said, But Anne, you dont like fish? And she goes, Its not for me, its for Basil. He just devours it. All beaming, she was! You see now?
WellI suppose it could just be a friend? I muttered, wracking my brains for any Basil among Mums acquaintances. Not a one.
Friend, my foot! Definitely a lover, Im telling you! she declared triumphantly.
And whats more, she picked him up off the street! Now hes living in her flat, can you imagine? The temptation for crooks and conmen! He could be a vagrant, an ex-convict, a drunkardcould be a total lunatic! You know how things in the country are latelytoo many dodgy types about.
And what true gentleman just lies about in public anyway?!
I was so stunned I couldnt respond. Mrs. Smith just kept on.
Yes, yes, yes! Anne told me herself! I was walking along, she said, spotted him, soaking wet, lying in a puddle, staring at me with big pleading eyes. Then when he saw me, he lifted his head high and puffed out his chestall dignified, like a real gentleman. I took him home, cleaned him up, gave him a bath, and he turned out to be such a handsome fellow. So Rosie, if I were you, Id sort this out, and right away.
Thank you, I managed, then ended the call.
Shellshocked, I couldnt think straight. My stomach knotted at the thought of my mum dragging some filthy tramp home. Horrible. I waited for my husband to return from work so we could hold a family council.
My mums got herself a boyfriendI kid you not, I announced as soon as he walked in.
His names Basil, I said, giving him the full Mrs. Smith rundown.
My husband, eyes wide, struggled to process the news. Then he brightened, hopeful: Maybe its just that old bat nattering on! Have you rung your mum?
No, I admitted, feeling a bit silly.
Well lets call herbet its nothing serious. Well sort it out.
Grateful for a chance at normality, I dialled Mum and put her on speaker.
Hi Mum, how are you? I began.
Oh, hello Rosie! Im grand.
Mum, are you on your own? I asked, treading carefully.
No, darling, she laughed, Im here with Basil.
My heart fellso it was all true then.
Where did you meet him? I managed, my voice trembling.
Oh, its a story, she answered brightly. Found him on the street, soaked through and miserableyou just couldnt leave him there. He brought life back to the house, Rosie! Theres never a dull moment now. And such a character, you wouldnt believe.
I sank into a chair in horror. Maybe mum really had lost her marbles.
Mum, you cant just take in any old stray off the street. He could be anyoneplease, tell him to go, I pleaded.
Rosie, shame on you! We are responsible for those we befriend, remember? Besides, you lot hardly ever visitI get lonely. But now, with Basil here, Ive got my spark back. I dont feel alone anymore. Basil is staying, end of story! Then she hung up on me.
My husband stood up decisively. We cant leave it like this! Get your coatwere going round there now.
I rushed around throwing clothes on, husband marching after me.
Your mum is far too soft and trusting! Anyone could take advantage. What if hes just after her flat, the sly bugger? Basil! Ill soon see about this Basil!
Half an hour later, after a frantic drive through town, we parked outside my mums flat. My husband popped open the boot, took out a tyre iron, and weighed it meaningfully.
What are you doing?! I cried.
Cant be too careful, he replied gruffly. If Basil needs persuasion to leave
No violence, please! I begged, picturing all sorts of scenes.
We barely stepped through the front door before my husband shouted, Alright, where is he?!
In the lounge, asleep in my armchair, Mum answered, looking baffled. What’s this about? I wasnt expecting you
But my husband stormed into the sitting room, with me on his heels.
And there, sprawled across Mums favourite armchair, was a large ginger tomcat! As we burst in, he blinked, wrapped his tail round his paws, and let out a deep, throaty meow.
Meet Basil, Mum said, coming in behind us.
But, hes a cat! we cried in unison.
Well yes, what did you expect? Mum laughed at our astonished faces.
That day, I learned a humbling lesson: life never fails to surprise you, and sometimes, what we imagine turns out to be far funnierand kinderthan our worst fears.
