Chapter Twenty-Seven
On the drive home, I rang Ella. She answered on the first ring.
‘Hey, Mum.’
‘Hi, darling,’ I warbled.
‘What’s up?’ she asked. My youngest had an inbuilt antenna when it came to other people’s emotions. ‘You sound upset.’
‘Nonsense,’ I said, deliberately lightening my tone. ‘I simply wondered how Bess was. I’ve been worried about her.’
‘No need,’ Ella assured. ‘We’ve been out in the garden. Played with all her toys, and now we’re watching the 101 Dalmatians. That said, I keep covering Bess’s eyes when Cruella Deville appears. I don’t want Bess having nightmares later.’
‘Quite,’ I said.
‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ Ella persisted.
‘Yes!’ I mock-huffed. ‘Why would I not be?’
Because you made a fool of yourself winking at Dylan and was later put in your place by his glamorous girlfriend, said my inner voice.
‘I know my mother,’ said Ella simply. ‘I suspect you’re not telling me something.’
‘There’s nothing to tell,’ I assured.
‘Okay, be like that,’ she sniffed. ‘I’ll get to the bottom of it eventually.’
I loved my youngest daughter to bits, but sometimes she was too astute.
‘Put the kettle on,’ I said, intent on distraction. ‘I’m only ten minutes away. We’ll have a nice cuppa together.’
‘Stuff the cuppa,’ Ella snorted. ‘Let’s take Bess to the pub and have a glass of wine.’
‘I don’t think wine is good for dogs,’ I quipped.
‘Ha, funny.’ I could visualise Ella rolling her eyes. ‘Now that we’re in the merry month of May, it doesn’t get dark until eight o’clock. We’ll be fine walking along Little Waterlow’s country lanes that are so wonderfully devoid of street lighting.’ Her voice dripped sarcasm. ‘Anyway, there’s no point in me going home yet. Archie won’t be back for ages. He’ll probably have eaten too. I’m starving. Are you?’
Ella was currently dropping more hints than a litter lout on a rubbish-throwing spree. She wanted to go out. That was obvious. Usually, I’d be thrilled to have one of my children all to myself for a few hours. But perversely, all I really wanted to do, was get out of my work clothes and kick back in front of the telly. I didn’t want a million questions on why I wasn’t being jolly-jolly or wanting to rah-rah down.
‘The glass of wine sounds good,’ I admitted.
Yes, maybe I’d have a glass of Prosecco. Or, to hell with it, go mad and drink an entire bottle. Stagger about, with my trusty German Shepherd by my side. Spot Mabel Plaistow, the local gossip. Hear her tutting as I stumbled past her. Her hubby looking on curiously, as he supped his Guiness.
Mabel: Oooh, look at that Maggie woman. She’s a bit worse for wear. I ’eard she rescued that dog, but it looks to me like it needs rescuing again.’
Fred: At ’er age she should know better than to get sloshed.
Mabel: Yer right, Fred. Let’s tell the RSBA.
Fred: Doncha mean the RSPCA?
Mabel: Nah. I mean the Right Sodding Blotto Association.
‘Let’s go to The Angel,’ Ella chirped. ‘It’s within walking distance. Also, they don’t mind dogs in the bar area. We can have chicken in a basket with a side of chips and salad. Oooh, and they always have a fab selection of ice-creams.’
‘All right,’ I agreed. ‘You’ve talked me into it.’
‘Lovely,’ said Ella happily. ‘And then you can tell me what’s really bugging you.’
‘Nothing is bugging me, child,’ I said in exasperation.
‘Less of the child, Mother,’ Ella said dryly. ‘I sense a bit of role reversal coming on.’
‘Oh, please,’ I shuddered. ‘Don’t say that.’
It was bad enough that I felt that way with my own parents. The last thing I wanted was Ella feeling that way about me.
‘Chill, Mother,’ she tutted. ‘I’m winding you up. That said, while you were out, Grandad telephoned.’
My heart immediately quickened.
‘Was he okay?’
Ella considered.
‘No. He was grumpy. He wanted to know why you hadn’t turned up earlier. He was expecting you to take him and Granny out. Something about coffee and cake. Apparently, Aunty Freya told him you’d be along.’
‘Oh for…’
I exited the motorway, gnashing my teeth. A passenger might have described my expression as one of chewing on a lemon.
‘I told Freya to take the parents with her to North London.’
‘North London?’ said Ella sounding perplexed. ‘Why would she go there? No, don’t tell me.’ I sensed Ella holding up one hand, like a traffic cop. ‘A peace rally. Or an environmental protest. Yes, that will be it. Right now, she’s probably waving a banner that says Climate Change is a Hoax.’
‘No, it’s nothing like that. It’s–’
‘Don’t tell me, don’t tell me,’ Ella gabbled. ‘Got it! She’s in the local shopping mall asking shoppers if they’d like a pamphlet on saving the planet. You know what I’d say?’ Ella tittered naughtily. ‘Bro, sure.’
‘What?’ I frowned.
‘Brochure. Geddit?’ Ella dissolved into giggles. ‘Oh, Mum, you’re not laughing. Lighten up!’
But I was disgruntled. Fuming with my sister. I’d told her I was working. I’d told her I wouldn’t be allocating a substitute photographer. And yet she’d ignored me. Disregarded everything I’d said. Dismissed my work as unimportant – again. Not to mention setting our parents up for disappointment.
For a moment my heart squeezed as I imagined the scenario. Two Golden Oldies. Buttoned into their coats. Shoes on. Waiting expectantly. Waiting and waiting.
Oooh, Freya. We’d be having a few words when you’d finished sucking up to Vernon’s rich ancient aunt.
‘I’m nearly home,’ I said to Ella. ‘Do you think I should divert and pick up the grandparents? We could all go to The Angel.’
‘Ah, I detect a guilty conscience.’
‘Yes,’ I said honestly.
‘I don’t know why,’ Ella tutted. ‘It’s Aunty Freya who should feel guilty, not you. Personally, I think you should put yourself first today. You’ve been working. You also have a new dog settling in. Apart from anything else, we have a rare opportunity of some uninterrupted mother-and-daughter time.’
‘True,’ I nodded, as I signalled left and turned into my road.
‘Plus, I suspect you really need that glass of wine,’ Ella pointed out. ‘And if you fetch Granny and Grandad, you won’t be able to drink and drive.’
‘You’re right,’ I nodded. ‘I’ll see them tomorrow.’
‘Good call, Mother,’ said Ella happily.
‘I’m here,’ I said, pulling up outside the house.
‘See you in a sec,’ said Ella happily, before ending the call.