Youre just jealous
Mum, are you being serious? Leicester House? Thats at least two hundred pounds per person, just for supper!
James tossed his keys onto the shelf so hard they clinked loudly against the wall. Ellen turned away from the hob, where shed been stirring a sauce, and immediately noticed his knuckles had turned white with the force he gripped his phone.
He stood there a moment longer, listening intently to his mother. Then, cursing under his breath, he abruptly ended the call.
Whats going on? Ellen asked, concern lacing her voice.
Instead of answering, James slumped at the kitchen table, eyes fixed on a plate of potatoes. Ellen switched off the gas, wiped her hands on a tea towel, and sat across from him.
James
Shes finally lost it, Mum haswell and truly lost her marbles, he muttered, eyes dark. Remember me telling you about this Richard? From the dancing?
Ellen nodded. His mother had off-handedly mentioned her new acquaintance at the village hall a month ago, blushing, fidgeting with the corner of the tablecloth. It all seemed sweet thena widow of fifty-eight, five lonely years since the funeral, joining the tea dances at the community centre and meeting a gentleman who could lead a perfect waltz.
Well, James continued, shoving his plate away, shes taken him to Leicester House. Three times in a fortnight. Bought him a suiteight hundred quid for the blasted thing! Last weekend they spent two days in Bathguess who footed the bill for their hotel and tours?
Margaret, Ellen replied quietly.
Bingo. He ran his hand over his weary face. Shes spent her savingsthe lot! That money was for the kitchen repairs, case of emergencies Now shes blowing it all on a bloke shes only known six weeks. I just cant get my head around it
Ellen paused, searching for the right words. Shed always thought well of Margaretromantic, open-hearted, almost naïve in her trust. The sort whod still believe in true love, even after half a century.
Look, James, she covered his hand with hers, your mums a grown woman. Her money, her choices. Let her be. She wouldnt take advice from anyone right now.
Shes making one mistake after another!
She is, Ellen agreed gently, and shes allowed to. Honestly, you might be winding yourself up more than you need to.
James shrugged helplessly but didnt pull his hand away.
I just hate watching her
I know, love. Ellen squeezed his wrist. But you cant live her life for her. She has to face the consequences, unpleasant as they might be. Shes perfectly sensiblemost of the time.
James nodded, gloom in his eyes.
*
Two months soon flew by. Talk of Richard faded as Margaret called less and less, her manner evasive, almost secretive. Ellen assumed the infatuation had fizzled out and stopped worrying.
Which is why, when the doorbell rang one Sunday evening and Margaret appeared on their doorstep, Ellen was momentarily thrown.
My dears! Oh, my dears! Margaret breezed into the flat, trailing a sickly trail of jasmine perfume. Hes proposed! Look! Look, would you!
A ring glinted on her fingertiny, the gemstone cheap, but Margaret regarded it as if it were the crown jewels.
Were getting married! Next month! Her hands pressed to her cheeks as she giggled like a schoolgirl. Never thought Id feel like this again, not at my age!
James hugged his mother. Ellen noticed his shoulders finally uncoil. Perhaps this Richard truly cared for Margaret, and perhaps theyd all feared the worst for nothing.
Congratulations, Mum. James smiled.
Ive already signed the flat over to him! Were a proper family now! Margaret blurted. Time seemed to freeze.
Ellens heart nearly stopped. James jerked upright, as if hed walked into a pane of glass.
What what did you just say?
The flat, Margaret waved her hand breezily, oblivious to their shock. So that he knows I trust him. Thats what real love is abouttrust, children! Trust!
There was a silence so heavy you could hear the living room clock tick.
Margaret, Ellen spoke, slow and careful, Youve put your flat in his name? Before the wedding?
And why not? Margarets chin shot up. I trust him. Hes a good man. Not at all like what you seem to think. Dont think I havent noticed the looks.
Were not saying anything, Margaret, Ellen said, stepping forward. Onlyperhaps wait until the marriage is official? Theres no rush, surely?
You wouldnt understand. Its proof of my love, Margaret sniffed. What do you know about real feelings or real trust?
James finally unclenched his jaw.
Mum
No! Margaret stamped her foot, and suddenly Ellen saw not a mature woman but a stubborn teenager. I wont listen to this! Youre just jealous! Jealous of my happinessyou want to ruin everything!
She spun on her heel and stormed out, knocking her shoulder against the doorframe. Seconds later, the front door slammed so hard the glass cabinet rattled in protest.
*
The wedding was modesta registry office in town, second-hand dress, a small posy of faded roses. But Margaret shone as if walking down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. Richarda solid fellow, balding, faintly oilyplayed the perfect gentleman, kissing the brides hand, holding chairs, pouring the cheap bubbly. The model groom.
Ellen watched him over the rim of her glass. Something didnt ring true. When Richard glanced at Margaret, his eyes stayed cold, detached; all care was for show, as though rehearsed.
She said nothing, knowing no one would listen.
*
For the first few months, Margaret rang each week, gushing about all the places Richard took herposh restaurants, theatre trips.
Hes so thoughtful! Brought me flowers yesterdayno reason at all!
James listened, nodded, then hung up and stared into nothing. Ellen kept her peace, waiting.
A year slipped by, almost forgotten.
Thenone eveningthe doorbell sounded
Ellen opened the door to find a woman she barely recognized. Margaret, aged by ten years: lines deeper, eyes hollowed, shoulders hunched. In her hand, an old battered casethe same shed taken on that trip to Bath.
Hes thrown me out, Margaret sobbed. Hes filed for divorcemade me leave. The flats his now. On paper.
Ellen moved aside silently, gestures saying what words could not.
The kettle boiled quickly. Margaret sat clutching her mug, tears falling in exhausted silence.
I loved him. Did everything for him. And he just
Ellen didnt interrupt, only rubbed her back, and waited for the storm to pass.
James arrived home an hour later and froze in the doorway at the sight.
James Margaret stood, hands shaking. Son, I have nowhere left. Please, let me stay in a room herejust a box room. Its what children dothey help their parents, please
Enough, Mum, James cut her off, raising a hand. Thats enough.
Ive no money, James. Not a penny. I spent it allevery last biton him. My pensions tiny, you know
I warned you.
What?
I told you, over and over. James sank into the settee as if the world weighed on his back. Dont rush into things. Get to know him first. Dont sign the flat away. Do you remember what you said back then?
Margaret lowered her eyes, shamefaced.
That we dont understand real love. That were jealous. I remember perfectly, Mum!
James, Ellen tried, but he shook his head.
No, let her hear this. He faced his mother. Youre not a child. You chose this. You ignored everyone who tried to help. And nowyou want us to pick up the pieces?
But Im your mother!
Precisely. Thats why Im angry! James was on his feet now, his voice breaking. Im tired, Mum. Tired of watching you ruin your own life and then turn up for rescue!
Margaret crumpled, small and pitiful.
He deceived me, James. I loved him, honestly did. I believed every word
Believed him so much you handed your flat over, sight unseen. Brilliant, Mum. Simply brilliant. Doesnt matter your dad saved years for that place, does it?
Im sorryso, so sorry. I was blind, I know. Please, just one more chance. I swear, never again
Grown-ups stand by their choices, James said, all energy spent. You wanted your independence. Well, here it is. Sort yourself out. Find somewhere to live. Find a job. Your lifeyour decisions.
Margaret went out into the stairwell, sobbing loud enough for the neighbours to hear. Ellen sat by her husband all night, holding his hand in the dark. James shed no tears, only stared up at the ceiling, sighing heavily, again and again.
Did I do the right thing? he asked at sunrise, the world turning pale.
Yes, Ellen whispered, stroking his cheek. Harsh. Painful. But right.
In the morning, James telephoned his mum and found her a bedsit at the edge of townpaid six months rent in advance. It would be his last help, he said.
From here on, you manage on your own, Mum. If you go to court, well help where needed. But you cant live with us.
Ellen listened and thought of whats fair and just, how sometimes the hardest lesson is the only one that sinks in. Margaret had earned her fate with blind trust.
And that reflection was both bitter and a relief. Yet somehow, Ellen couldnt quite shake off the feeling that this wasnt the end. Somehow, things would work themselves out though she had no idea how or when.
