Claire never really figured out how Sam and Paul ended up so bright. Both of them had only left school after the ninth year, thanks mostly to teachers who took a shine to them. Everyones got their own talent, as they say Claire could turn any seed into a lush plant within a week, while Paul seemed to have gold in his hands.
They had four kids eldest Mary, then the second daughter Ethel, and finally two boys who were born on the same day Samuel and Paul. Paul was the orange of the lot, the one who seemed to sprout before he was even three. He could talk better than average Ethel, and when he started school the teachers were gobsmacked he could read, write and do his sums so well that they bumped him straight into the second year.
It might have seemed unfair to the other children, but Paul was Claires special project. He was exempt from chores, and whatever he asked for she bought books, a microscope, the lot. Even when the tough early 90s hit, when the country was in a slump and Claires whole world seemed to crumble losing her husband and her older helper Mary in the same year she still kept Pauls studies going, eventually sending him off to university in London.
Honestly, Claire, what are you dreaming about? the neighbours would say, watching Sam hauling water from the pump, Ethel pulling potatoes in the garden, while Paul sat in the shade on a bench with a book. Do you think hell ever return the favour, bring you a glass of water when youre old? Hell just leave and thatll be the end of it.
Claire would snap back, Youll see. I do what I think is right.
The kids complained too.
Why am I chopping wood while hes solving equations? Sam would whine.
Claire would grin, Well, sit down and try it if youre so keen.
Hed pick up his textbook, stare at it for a few minutes, then slam it shut and mutter, Its nonsense, Id rather be out cutting wood!
Ethel was the most bitter of all. Shed constantly plot little tricks against her brother tossing his notebook into the fireplace or hiding a rotten egg in his boot.
You always give him the best slice, shed shout. Hell leave and ditch you, shed repeat the neighbours gossip.
When Paul left for his studies, the house grew quieter, a little too quiet, and Claire clung even more to her youngest.
At first he wrote long letters, describing his university life in detail a world that seemed alien to Claire. Over time the letters thinned, his visits grew rarer the neighbours were right. It hurt Claire, but she never let it show. Still, Paul finished his degree and became a proper gentleman.
Ethel married a bloke from the next village. Claire never liked the soninlaw much he was a daydreamer, always concocting some getrichquick scheme and then blowing it. Lately hed dreamed up opening a bakery, but the bank wouldnt give him a loan.
Sam stayed with Claire, not in any hurry to marry, though there were plenty of eligible girls around.
Mate, Id love a bit of freedom! Ive been thinking of buying a car not a clunker, something proper, maybe a foreign one. Can you picture me in a proper motor, love? Sam would say.
Claire would sigh, What kind of motor, Sam? Youre turning into our old Arsen, dreaming all the time. Dreams wont pay the bills.
Anyway, Sam took up a job as a farmhand, fixing up the old house, working as a tractor driver, and picking up the odd shortcut whenever he could. Claire never complained; she had a good son.
As for Paul, Claire hadnt heard from him in a year. The last note hed sent said hed gone off looking for work, but where? No one knew.
One day a shiny new car screeched to a halt outside the house. Claire thought perhaps a lost traveler needed directions, but the engine roared so loudly that hope sparked in her heart. She opened the gate and stepped onto the road.
There stood Paul, older now, tall and broadshouldered with a hint of gold in his hair just like her late husband, Vasily. He was handsome, and the neighbours peeked from their windows, delighted to see him hadnt forgotten his mother.
Claire rushed to him, hugging him tight. Youre my blood, youve never been a waste, she whispered.
Sam greeted his brother with a hint of envy. Nice car youve got, he said.
Its not even mine, Paul laughed.
Then whose is it? Sam asked, trying to calm himself.
Its yours, Paul handed him the keys. Take it, Ive already sorted the paperwork, well swing by the solicitor later.
Sam looked bewildered at his mother, who just smiled.
Thanks, brother, Sam said shyly. But its still pricey!
Its not more expensive than a proper life, Paul replied. Wheres Ethel?
Shes married, in the neighbouring village. Her husbands a hard worker, theyre expecting a raise soon
Married, eh? Then lets pay a visit. Drive us over, Sam, in that new motor.
Ethel met them, a bit flustered, and her husband, Arsen, immediately started bragging about his upcoming bakery business and how theyd soon be set for life.
No blabber, Ethel snapped. You didnt get a loan, you cant open a bakery. Dont listen to him, Paul, hes a dreamer.
Paul smiled, Well sort the bakery, no problem. Tell me what you need, Ill transfer the money.
Arsen stared at Paul skeptically. Hed already heard from his wife that her brother was a lazy, ungrateful fool.
Paul reached into his pocket, pulled out a small red box, and handed it to Ethel.
For you, dear sister.
She opened it carefully. Inside lay the most stunning gold earrings set with emeralds, the exact colour of her eyes. She gasped, tried them on, spun before the mirror and said, Thanks, Paul. I kept begging Arsen for earrings and all he ever bought me was a meat grinder!
Claire watched, quiet and happy. Perhaps one day her son would bring her a gift earrings, a bracelet, maybe even a washing machine.
But Paul didnt bring anything until Ethel mentioned that their mother would be discharged from the hospital after giving birth. Then Paul said, Just a short stay, Ethel. Ill take Mum with me, if she wants.
Claire stared at him, bewildered. Take me with you? Where to? How?
I dont know what about the house?
What house? Sam will live there, the new lady will move in. Im missing you, Mum. Come with me. If you dont like it, you can always go back.
Claire had no idea what to think. This was her whole life, her late husbands, her late Marys grave but there was her beloved son on the other side, a whole new world shed never known. She wondered what Paul would say.
She imagined her husband at the doorway hat askew, calloused hands folded over his chest.
Whats there to think about, Claire? You raised him for a better life. Its time you saw it too, otherwise youll never know if it was all for nothing.
Claire gave a small smile and replied, Why not take the chance
