Chapter 12
A few days after the village hall viewing, Cath was busy stripping off her bed linen, ready to take advantage of a fine, blustery day. She loved getting the laundry outside on the line in the fresh air and seeing it blow in white billows.
As she was crouched down in the kitchen, with her head virtually in the washing machine, pushing the duvet cover in, the doorbell rang. Then, with hardly a second to respond, she heard footfall in the hall. Standing up, on alert, she faced the hallway and in came her grown-up son.
‘Adam? What are you doing here?’ She was grinning away at the sight of him, but was astonished – it was a long way from his flat in Leeds.
‘Are you okay?’ Her maternal instincts were on high alert after his recent mental health issues.
This was so out of the blue as she’d only taken a day trip down to Leeds a couple of weeks ago to check how he was getting on.
‘Yeah, all good, thought I’d surprise you. Fancied that Sunday roast you keep harping on about. You said I was always welcome.’ He gave a mischievous smile.
Cath found herself swiftly wrapped up in his bear hug. As she drew back, she replied, ‘Well then, I’d better get over to the butcher in Kirkton fast. They close at lunchtime on a Saturday.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’
‘How did you get here, anyway?’ It was a half-hour drive from the nearest station, the train his usual means of transport.
‘I borrowed Dad’s car. He and Steph are away somewhere this weekend, so it was just going to be sitting on the driveway. He seemed happy to hear I was thinking of coming up to see you, and let me have it. Got to be returned tomorrow night, so it’s just for a couple of days.’
‘Ah, that’s great. How is he?’ It felt easier to talk about Trevor now. The months that had passed since she’d moved here giving her that distance, a fresh perspective on things. The hurt about his betrayal had faded, if never quite healed.
‘He seems pretty good. Happier now that Steph’s back on the scene.’ Their relationship had been a little on-off in the early months – Adam had told her that much.
‘Ah, right.’ The other woman. The office fling. It was what it was. It had happened, and there was no going back for her and Trev now. It had, at least, given Cath the kick up the butt (one mahoosive bruising kick) to go and find a whole new life of her own.
‘She’s not much of a cook, though,’ Adam added. ‘That’s why they go out a lot wining and dining. I think Dad was actually a bit envious when he heard I was coming up for one of your Sunday dinners.’
Cath had to smile at that.
*
After unloading his large rucksack, and thoughtfully a bottle of red he’d brought to go with dinner (looking suspiciously like one of Trevor’s favourite Riojas), she and Adam headed off to Kirkton.
Adam had offered to drive. He was enjoying the novelty apparently, and building his experience.
He was a good driver, steady on the country roads.
You never knew what was around a corner here: quad, tractor, horse and rider, cyclists (hmm), a herd of sheep. She’d met them all since arriving here.
‘So, what do you fancy? Beef, pork, lamb?’ They were stood in the butcher’s gazing at the meat selection.
It was lovely to be able to spoil Adam this weekend, so Cath was happy to let him choose.
She was confident about cooking any of the meats; roasts had been one of her fortes back at the family home in Roundhay.
They’d all stop their busy lives for a few precious hours on a Sunday afternoon, and catch up over crispy Yorkshire puds, mounds of meat, and tasty veg, golden-crusted roast potatoes and cauliflower cheese being some of their favourites, around the family dinner table.
‘Uhm, tricky, but I think it’s gonna have to be your slow-cooked pork, the one with the crunchy crackling.’
‘Sounds good to me. Okay, so can we take that belly pork joint, please.’ She pointed to a scored rectangle of meat.
She had just the recipe in mind, honey-roasted with a hint of chilli served with some tasty greens, a cauliflower cheese, of course, and crisp, yet melt-in-the-middle roasties.
Better do some of her Yorkshire puddings, too.
With a quick stop off at the local co-op for veggies, that was tomorrow’s meal sorted.
*
That afternoon, between light November showers, wrapped up warmly in coats and scarves, mother and son took a stroll around the village and along the river.
It was a bit muddy on the track through the fields, different from the summer months, but it was still lovely.
You’d often see a heron down by the water’s edge, or some moorhens, and the stream-side trees were still clinging on to their golden-brown autumn hues.
The odd leaf swirling down around them in the breeze.
‘It’s great to see you.’ Cath was still amazed that he was here. Her quiet weekend had suddenly been filled with chat, fun and possibility. Plus, the added joy of having someone to cook for, to share a meal with. That was one of the things she missed the most in her new solo life.
‘So, how’s the bar work going?’ Cath asked. ‘And have you had any news on your other job applications?’
‘Ah, the new place is fine. Nice and busy, and the team are much friendlier there, so it’s working out okay.
’ He’d recently lost some previous bar work.
‘And yeah, I keep looking, keep trying for different posts, but the right kind of jobs really are few and far between. I really want to get involved with something to do with nature, with wildlife. That’s always been the dream and I’m not going to give up on that, yet. ’
Cath was glad to hear it. She was worried her son might get disillusioned, settling for a job that would never inspire him. Since Adam had completed his degree in zoology at Leeds uni last year, then travelled in Asia for a few months, he had struggled to find any meaningful work.
‘But hey, I’m volunteering for the Wildlife Trust now. They’ve various projects on. Just last weekend I was off planting trees in the Dales.’
‘Ah, well, that sounds brilliant, Adam. And, that’ll be good for your CV too.’
It was great to hear he was being proactive again. His recent low had worried her so much. She couldn’t just pick him up, dust him off, give him a hug, and clean his scraped knees anymore. Adulthood wasn’t simple at all. Though hugs, naturally, were always a must.
‘Yeah, for sure. I’m far happier working outside in the open air. I don’t know how the hell you and Dad managed, stuck away in a classroom and an office for years.’
‘I suppose it’s all about doing what you love. And for me that was teaching. Still is.’
‘Yeah, s’pose. Don’t know if Dad ever loved accounting, to be fair.’
‘No, true.’
‘I think it was the money he loved,’ Adam added wryly.
They both smiled. They knew Trevor all too well.
They strolled on, making their way back via a country lane, into the village and past the stores, spotting Andreas on his hands and knees in the window of the shop, arranging cards, crafts, and expertly placed baubles and tinsel.
The Christmas display was taking shape. November already here, and December just around the corner. Christmas was arriving in Tilldale.
It made her wonder about Adam’s plans over the festive period. It would be wonderful to have him here with her for Christmas Day. Perhaps she’d ask him over a cup of coffee back at the cottage.
She gave Andreas a smile and a thumbs-up, mouthing: ‘It’s looking good.’
‘Me or the shop?’ Andreas mouthed back through the glass with a silly grin.
‘Both,’ she responded, grinning too.
Dan then popped his head out of the door. ‘I couldn’t stop him. He’s been itching to get the Christmas stuff out. I’ve relented now it’s November. The shop’s had a full makeover too. Gifts galore.’
‘Sounds great. I know where to come to get some festive ideas then.’
‘He’s even planning a Christmas shopping night. Mince pies and Prosecco.’
‘Even better. Count me in.’
‘Will do. Hi, Adam. Nice to see you,’ Dan added, recognising Cath’s son. ‘Up for a while?’
‘Just the weekend.’
‘Well, enjoy!’
‘Thanks, mate.’ Adam nodded. He’d met the lads back in the summer when he’d stayed with Cath for a few weeks post-travels.
‘Back to the grindstone for me,’ said Dan wryly. ‘Stock-taking to do, whilst Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen here puts his creative touch on the window.’
‘Just because I’m the one with the artistic flair …’ Andreas responded wittily.
Cath and her son moved on, once more.
‘They seem good fun, Andreas and Dan,’ Adam observed.
‘They are, and I love that they’re a big part of our supper club group.
They’re like the glue that keeps everyone together.
’ In fact, she realised that’s how she felt about the village stores, too.
It was like community superglue. Andreas and Dan had made her so very welcome and been instrumental in getting her and Will together, after all – even though things on that front were a little dodgy just now.
*
Adam’s white trainers returned to the cottage a shade of blotchy beige.
But that was country life for you. Cath’s walking boots had become her staple footwear, she realised, as she perched on a small wooden bench in her hallway to unlace them.
Whilst chatting earlier, she was pleased that Adam seemed so much brighter than when she had last visited him in Leeds.
This was a real positive and such a relief.
Hopefully, he’d turned a corner, and was beginning to find his way in life again.
He evidently had dreams and aspirations again.
He was looking forward and wasn’t that always the best way?
Though Cath knew all too well how hard that could be when life had knocked you down.
*
Supper that evening was a simple affair.
Cath stretched her meal of spicy tomato and bacon penne pasta to make enough for two, and found a can of tinned peaches and some vanilla ice cream in the freezer for an impromptu pudding.
Adam had always loved that as a small child, even picking up and drinking the remaining creamy fruit juices from the bowl so as not to waste a drop.
It had made her and Trevor laugh. Life had changed a lot but she’d always remember their family times fondly.
Be grateful for their joint history. Did Trevor get flashbacks of their life together too? she wondered.
Still sitting at the dinner table, enjoying a post-supper cup of tea, Cath’s thoughts turned to Christmas.
With the recent talk of festivities, and November now on the doorstep, she had an invite to extend.
She hoped her son knew already that he’d be always welcome, wherever she lived, but it was better to make things clear. They’d never yet had a Christmas apart.
‘Hey, I know it’s a little way off, but have you got any plans for Christmas? If not, you are very welcome to come and stay here. Turkey and all the trimmings, of course. In fact, I’d love to share my first Christmas in the cottage with you.’
There was a telling pause. ‘Ah, well thanks, Mum … that’s really sweet of you, but I might well be staying down Leeds way.
’ He had the grace to sound slightly awkward, as he added, ‘Steph’s already mentioned spending Christmas Day with them.
And well, I know some of my mates go out for a bit of a bash Christmas Eve.
So, it’ll either be that for me, or more than likely, I’ll be working at the bar, if they need me. It makes sense to stay down there.’
‘Oh …’ Cath wasn’t sure what to say. Yes, he was a grown adult with his own life.
And after his recent low, it was good he had a social scene going on with his mates, as long as he wasn’t planning on going on some mega drinking ‘sesh’.
Worry still nipped at her heels. She tried very hard to keep her tone light as she added, ‘Well, the offer’s there, should your plans change at all. ’
And this might well be the first Christmas – in her life, she realised – that she’d be spending it on her own. And that was a very strange thought indeed.
‘I bet it’ll be lovely up here, though,’ Adam continued. ‘All quaint and very Country Life.’ He made it sound a bit twee, that it was somehow not his thing at all, or was she just being oversensitive?
The real crux of her hurt might have been a touch of unbridled jealousy, of being left out, as she suddenly pictured him off to his dad and his dad’s fling Steph’s on Christmas Day, whilst she sat alone.
Trev, who’d done the cheating, with Steph, who must have known he was married …
and they were the ones who got to get the friggin’ family Christmas. That did feel like a punch in the gut.
But Cath quickly chided herself. It was nice that they’d asked him.
He was bound to be seeing more of them, living in the same city.
She’d asked Trev to keep a closer eye on their son herself.
She needed to be grown up about this, think about what was best for Adam and put their marital hurts aside.
It was a good thing that since Adam’s low, Trevor was being far more proactive in his son’s life.
‘Sorry, to disappoint you, Mum.’ Adam’s tone was gentle, considerate.
‘Ah, I’ll be all right, son. It’s good that your dad’s offered. I’m sure I’ll have a nice day here, whatever happens. And I’ll be busy enough on the run-up with that Christmas community lunch we’re organising. If it all comes together, that is.’
‘Oh yeah, tell me more about that. You mentioned it on the phone the other night.’
And off she started, describing her initial idea that set it all off, along with the village hall visit, the electrics and heating about to be checked (and fingers crossed for that), menu ideas and more.
‘It sounds brilliant, Mum.’
Christmas was about giving. And she’d give her all to get this community event off the ground and make it a success, even if her own Christmas was to be somewhat quieter, and perhaps lonelier, than usual.
Lots of people spend Christmas alone after all – that was the whole idea of her festive get-together.
To be fair on Adam, he’d been there for her last Christmas. Even postponing his world travels to spend the festive season by her side, making sure she wasn’t alone. He was a good lad, bless him.
But her dreams of a cosy village Christmas, spent with her son celebrating in her new cottage, well they had just been dashed.
Later in bed, thinking about her day, and the lovely surprise of having Adam here this weekend, she realised she was luckier than most. She resolved she’d just have to do Christmas her way this year. The only problem was, she didn’t yet know what her way was. Time to make some new traditions!