Chapter 55
FIFTY-FIVE
ALICE
Alice felt a slight coolness to the air as she walked home from her appointment, pleased she had worn her red cashmere scarf tucked inside her trench coat. The cooler weather was fast approaching, and Alice looked forward to it.
Autumn had always been her favourite season.
She loved how the countryside gave up its crops that had been growing in the soil throughout the summer, and how forests turned from a blanket of green to a kaleidoscope of burnt orange and amber.
She relished the early nights at home, with soft lighting that reminded her of cosy evenings spent with George.
Sometimes, during the winter months, they would wrap up and take a beach walk in the afternoon before darkness fell. They would return to a hearty casserole that had been gently cooking in the oven. Even now, the thought of them doing such things together gave Alice a little pang in her heart.
‘Oh my goodness,’ gasped Alice when both of her nephews arrived to collect her to go out for lunch. ‘You never said Liam was coming too.’
She hugged both of her nephews tightly.
‘Thought I would surprise you,’ Liam said with a smile.
Callum, who was approaching fifty, was thinning slightly on the top of his head, but Liam, who was a couple of years younger, still had a good head of light-brown hair.
‘Well, you have certainly done that,’ she said, thrilled that both of her nephews were standing in front of her. ‘Are you coming in?’ she offered. ‘Or are we heading straight out?’
‘We will get going if you like,’ said Callum, clutching some keys in his hand.
Once outside, Alice was surprised to find Callum pressing a key to unlock the doors of a shiny-looking Porsche.
‘You are driving? I assumed we would be getting the train,’ said a perplexed Alice. Especially as the train station was just around the corner.
‘I thought you might enjoy a spin in my new motor,’ said Callum proudly.
‘It is very smart,’ said Alice as she eyed the car with the new number plate. It seemed Callum really was doing well for himself these days.
She settled into the journey, passing the familiar sights along the Dock Road as she had so many times.
One of the city teams had recently had a new stadium built, the huge outline visible in the distance.
She imagined the supporters descending trains and heading there on match day.
She had done the same thing herself with George, once upon a time, who had been a keen football supporter.
She only went the once out of curiosity, though, as she preferred to watch the horse racing.
Soon enough they had headed down towards the Liver Building and parked up at a car park not too far from Water Street.
‘I thought I would treat you both,’ she said as they arrived outside the restaurant with the impressive entrance. ‘I know you both enjoy a good steak.’
‘You don’t have to do that,’ said Liam.
‘I know I don’t, but I insist. If I can’t treat my own nephews, then who can I?’ She smiled.
‘You forget how many marvellous restaurants there are around the city these days,’ said Liam as he glanced around the beautifully decorated restaurant.
The grade II listed building was inside a former banking hall, and boasted high ceilings, marble pillars and original timber panelling.
Their server quickly and politely showed them to their table and handed each of them a menu.
‘I hope you enjoy it,’ said Alice.
‘This is some place,’ said Callum, glancing around. It reminded him of a place down south near the river that he took his wife to on special occasions.
‘The décor is beautiful, isn’t it?’ said Alice. ‘Apparently the inspiration for this restaurant came from tango clubs in Argentina. They serve the best quality steak too.’
Alice recalled the evening she came here with George, not long after it had opened.
They had sipped mojitos beneath the soft lighting and listened to Latin American music in the background.
She remembered how George had loved its mixture of flamboyance and intimacy, and they had enjoyed the most magical evening.
Six months later he had died but she would cherish that evening in her heart forever.
‘Gaucho is a chain of restaurants now, but they still manage to retain that personal touch, I think,’ said Alice. ‘And, of course, they serve the best food.’
‘I bet not many of them are housed in such a stunning building,’ said Liam.
‘I agree,’ replied Alice. ‘Did you know this restaurant was recently featured in a BBC series?’ she informed them.
‘No, but I am not surprised,’ said Callum.
‘So, Liam, are you still enjoying being a teacher?’ she asked as they placed a drinks order. ‘I imagine it must be quite a challenging job these days.’
‘It can be,’ agreed Liam. ‘And some days, I won’t lie, I dream about early retirement,’ he revealed.
‘But I love seeing how some of the kids can succeed, given the right guidance,’ he told her.
‘One of my ex-pupils is studying to become a doctor, against all the odds. There is no greater feeling than seeing that happen.’
She knew that Liam was head of the maths department at a school in a not-so-great part of town. She was impressed that he still felt the passion for his career after so many years. It was important to be happy in the workplace.
‘The lad just had a real talent for maths and science,’ Liam continued. ‘But also a very unstable home life. I helped him to gain a scholarship to a good private college, and it opened up a whole new world. He just soared,’ he said, feeling a moment of pride.
‘How wonderful,’ said Alice, thinking once again how everyone ought to be entitled to a good education regardless of your postcode. Thank goodness for teachers like Liam.
‘And, Callum? Your job is going well, I take it?’ she said as she perused the food menu.
Callum was the UK head of sales for a global flooring company.
Surely it must be, she thought to herself, taking in his expensive clothes and wristwatch. Not to mention his car. She was sure he had a different model when he had visited last time.
‘Pretty good,’ he said as their drinks arrived. ‘Although there is always room for improvement. Or should I say more profits.’ He rubbed his hands together and smiled.
The sideways glance Liam gave his brother did not go unnoticed by Alice.
‘If we get the arena refit, I am looking at a great bonus,’ he said hopefully.
They talked of their families and Alice smiled at a stack of photos her nephews brought up on their phones. She was pleased to learn that Liam had recently paid off his mortgage, having paid extra over the past decade.
She beamed at photos of her great-nieces and great-nephews, in their late teens and twenties now, and she supposed it would not be too long before they started having families of their own.
There was a time when Alice had considered having a social media account herself, but she preferred to have her occasional calls over a telephone, or via a tablet where she could talk to someone face to face.
No wonder people chatted less to each other these days when there were so many alternative ways to communicate, she thought to herself.
Talk turned to Callum’s meeting tomorrow, as well as Alice’s new life in the apartment block.
‘I feel truly blessed to have met so many wonderful people.’ She could not help but smile when she thought of how the group had become such firm friends.
A waitress arrived then and took their orders for steaks.
Callum ordered a selection of sides that seemed a little excessive to Alice, but maybe he had a large appetite. She was eating much less herself these days, which she supposed was normal at her age.
‘I’m glad you have made some new friends,’ said Liam. ‘Mum worried about you a bit after Uncle George died, living in that big house alone.’
‘I know she did, but I am perfectly fine,’ she assured him. ‘But I must admit I feel much safer in the apartment, as well as more connected to people. And I love the easy access to the city on the train.’
‘There is that, I suppose,’ said Liam. ‘You should be careful out there, though; there are some not so nice people around these days,’ he cautioned her.
‘Oh, don’t worry, I don’t go out with anything valuable.
If a mugger grabs my bag they can have it.
’ She shrugged. ‘They would find some mint imperials, a packet of tissues and a lipstick. I always keep my phone and bank card in an inside coat pocket,’ she revealed, tapping the side of her nose, much to the amusement of her nephews.
They could imagine the look on the face of a mugger going through the contents of the bag.
Hopefully she would never find herself in that situation, though.
When the food arrived they eyed the delicious-looking steaks and huge bowls of side dishes that included mashed potato, Tenderstem broccoli, Latin mac and cheese, as well as a huge mixed salad.
Alice and Liam opted for a peppercorn sauce with their steaks, whilst Callum opted for the chimichurri.
He piled his plate high with a generous serving of mashed potato, and a wedge of mac and cheese. He was still quite slender, although her sister had once mentioned that he was a member of a gym that charged extortionate fees. Apparently, the gym provided everything from ice baths to 3D body scans.
‘It is so wonderful spending time with you both today,’ said a delighted Alice. ‘At my age I just never know if and when I will see someone again,’ she said as she cut into her butter-soft steak.
‘Don’t say that,’ said Liam. ‘I am pretty sure you will get a telegram from the king on your hundredth birthday.’
‘Hmm, maybe. Although I am not sure living to be a hundred is something desirable, unless you are still able to enjoy life.’
‘That’s true enough,’ agreed Liam.
‘And I will be back up this way soon. At least, hopefully,’ said Callum. ‘So you needn’t worry about not seeing me for a while.’
‘I shall look forward to it.’ Alice smiled.
She thought about her house near the sea, the proceeds in the bank for her nephews’ future.
She could also not help thinking that if she had not sold up, her friends at Wisteria House would have somewhere to stay, at least temporarily. It had got her mind working overtime.
As their conversation continued, Callum talked of all the things he had recently acquired, including a new kitchen with granite worktops.
‘Pay no attention to Callum,’ Liam advised her when Callum had nipped to the toilet. ‘He has always been materialistic,’ he said, with a shake of his head. ‘Always upgrading everything in his house when it isn’t necessary.’
‘That is rather wasteful, I must admit,’ said Alice.
‘Honestly, he could have paid his mortgage off ten times over with some of the massive bonuses he has earnt over the years,’ Liam divulged.
‘But what did he do? Only go and buy a bigger house. And he is constantly upgrading his car. He is never satisfied. He will probably be paying out for a hair transplant next,’ he said, with a mischievous grin, and Alice suppressed a laugh.
She wondered if Callum was secretly mad that his brother had inherited his mum’s healthy thick locks.
‘Well, he has no need to worry about his inheritance,’ Alice told Liam as she speared some broccoli onto her fork.
‘The proceeds of the house sale on Marine Terrace are to be split between you both. It is all in my will.’
‘Which is more than generous, Auntie Alice, really. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if you want to donate all of your money to a cats’ home, should you wish to. I have always rather liked cats.’ He grinned. ‘I don’t see why either of us should feel entitled to anything.’
‘Thank you for understanding,’ she told Liam. She reached over and patted his hand.
She could not help but feel disappointed with Callum. She thought of a frequently misquoted Bible scripture that tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil. It seemed a shame that so many people chose to worship at the altar of riches these days.
Alice had enjoyed a thoroughly lovely afternoon with her nephews, and when Callum dropped her off at the apartments, in his impressive-looking car, she wished him well over the contract for the refit of the flooring in the arena.
‘Thanks, Auntie Alice,’ he said, placing a kiss on her cheek, as did Liam. ‘I will let you know how it goes. See you again soon.’
As he drove off she felt a brief pang of sadness.
She envied those people who had family on the doorstep, who would drop in regularly for a cup of tea and a chat.
How wonderful must it be to never feel truly alone, knowing you could call on someone if you needed to.
But she felt grateful to have made some wonderful new friends.
And they were quickly becoming like family to her.