Chapter 61
SIXTY-ONE
DECLAN
Declan was nursing his mug of morning tea and thinking about moving in with his mum. Mark had told him that he was viewing an apartment later and no doubt Jess and Carol were hoping that somewhere suitable would come onto the market soon.
The thought of the friends being scattered across the city broke his heart, but there wasn’t an awful lot he could do about that.
‘Hi, Mum,’ said Declan as he walked into his mum’s home clutching a bunch of her favourite yellow roses.
‘Hello, love,’ said his mum, who looked different. Had she had her hair done? ‘Ooh thanks, love, let me pop those in a vase,’ she said, gratefully accepting the flowers.
Norman appeared from the kitchen then, and pumped Declan’s hand up and down with his usual strong handshake.
‘Now then, young man, how are you?’ He smiled.
‘Good, great in fact.’ The thought of soon being self-employed and taking occupancy of the Liverpool Road office had put a real spring in Declan’s step.
‘Have you found a new apartment yet?’ his mother asked.
‘No, I haven’t, Mum.’
He would sleep in the office if he had to. On a temporary basis at least. There was a large storage room just off the kitchen.
‘So what’s your good news, then?’ Declan asked his mum as he took a seat on the sofa.
‘Let’s have tea first,’ said Norman. ‘There’s a bit of fruit cake too,’ he said, bustling off back to the kitchen.
‘Keeping me in suspense, I see.’ Declan grinned. ‘And you look nice, Mum. Have you had your hair coloured?’
‘I have.’ She smiled. ‘Do you like it?’
‘I do. It takes years off you,’ he told her genuinely.
‘I got a new cut too.’ She shook her head, and the chin-length bob fell back into place. ‘It wasn’t cheap as I went to one of those salons in town, but Norman treated me.’
‘You’re worth it, love,’ Norman called from the kitchen.
Declan thought that she looked like the mum he remembered before his sister died, always immaculately turned out.
He felt himself breathe an inward sigh of relief at the thought of his mum beginning to get some enjoyment from her life again. He knew she would never completely get over losing her daughter, of course she wouldn’t, but it was lovely to see her feeling brighter and he had Norman to thank for that.
‘Actually, Norman, leave the tea but bring the cake,’ Declan’s mum called through to the kitchen. ‘I think we ought to open that Prosecco in the cupboard. I should have chilled it really.’ She frowned.
‘Good call,’ said Norman, who shortly appeared with the Prosecco and three glasses.
‘What’s the occasion?’ said Declan, glancing from his mum to Norman.
‘The thing is, we have been getting along so well, as you know, these past couple of years, and well…’ Norman paused for a moment as he glanced at Eileen.
‘We thought we might move in together,’ Declan’s mum blurted out.
‘That’s brilliant news,’ said Declan, standing to hug his mum, before Norman moved in for a hug too. They stood in a group hug for a second, and Declan felt an overwhelming surge of affection for them both.
‘Really, I am glad you approve,’ said Norman when they broke apart. He had looked momentarily nervous before Eileen announced the news.
‘Not here, though. We have found some nice sheltered accommodation not far from the train station. We will sell our respective houses and bank some money for our future.’
‘That sounds sensible,’ said Declan. ‘You could go travelling.’
‘I’m not sure my knees are up to too much sightseeing,’ laughed Declan’s mum. ‘Although I have always fancied a cruise.’
‘So have I,’ said Norman. ‘We should definitely do it. I quite fancy the Caribbean.’ He placed an arm around Eileen’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze.
‘Of course, you can stay here with us until we have sold, until you find something else, I mean, but I’m afraid it won’t be a permanent solution,’ his mum told him.
‘Don’t worry about me, I will find somewhere,’ he assured her. ‘I’m so glad you’re happy, Mum. Are you sure about moving away from here, though?’
‘Thanks, love. And yes, I am looking forward to moving away and starting a new chapter,’ she assured him. ‘I think it’s about time.’
As he thought about Wisteria House he realised with a heavy heart that she was not the only person who would soon be moving on. He also realised that he would no longer have a reason to visit his old neighbourhood. It gave him mixed feelings of both sadness and relief.