Mum in the Middle by Jane Wenham-Jones

Author:Jane Wenham-Jones [Wenham-Jones, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008278663
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Published: 2018-06-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

I also, it transpired, had a leaky tap in the downstairs loo as well as the flushing problem (Aaron still hadn’t shown), dodgy-looking electrics in the conservatory, some rendering to be patched up on the external back wall and guttering that needed attention.

By the time I was preparing to wave off my mother the next morning, I was cursing myself for not being assertive. His voice was drilling through the slight headache I had, and my nerves rattled with exasperation.

It had been a long evening, with Rob increasingly repetitive and maudlin as he’d climbed his way down the red wine, alternating as his top choices of sparkling conversation between what I should to do my house with what had gone wrong with him and Fiona.

I had drunk too much myself, as my dry mouth and thumping head had reminded me this morning when I’d been woken at 4 a.m. by the sound of my mother wandering the landing and Gerald gently, and at some length, persuading her back to bed.

I looked at the thinning hair on the back of ex-husband’s head as he followed Gerald outside with the bags. How the hell had I been talked into him staying another night?

‘He’s only trying to be helpful,’ said Tilly defensively, after his latest observation about the state of the paintwork. ‘Don’t be so horrible.’

I was saved answering by my mother coming down the stairs. ‘I do hope I haven’t left anything behind,’ she said. ‘I have to keep checking where my handbag is …’

‘I’ll check your room, Granny.’ My daughter bounded up the stairs and my mother looked at me sadly. ‘I’m sorry for all the worry I’ve caused.’

‘It’s fine, Mum.’ I gave her a bright smile. Gerald looked tired this morning. I hoped he’d manage.

Tilly reappeared. ‘There’s nothing there or in the bathroom.’

My mother smiled. ‘Thank you, lovey. Now where’s that man gone?’

‘I’ll tell him you’re ready.’ Tilly ran fingers through her unbrushed hair and went out of the front door.

‘There’s no need to come to this doctor’s with me,’ my mother said. ‘Gerald will take me. You’re too busy.’

‘I want to support you,’ I told her. I need to know what we can expect and how soon … ‘I want to hear what he has to say …’

‘Well, we’ll see.’ My mother looked anxiously around the room. ‘We don’t want to go mob-handed …’

‘Let me know when you get the date through.’

We stood awkwardly for a moment until the others came back in. ‘David’s over the road …’ said Tilly.

My solar plexus gave a jolt. ‘Oh! Is he coming in?’

‘Dunno. He’s talking to Jinni. I waved but I didn’t want to go over like this.’ My daughter indicated the pyjama bottoms she was still wearing beneath one of Ben’s sweatshirts and laughed. ‘And she’s probably having a go at him …’

‘We should get going.’ My mother had her hand on Gerald’s arm. We all trooped outside. David’s empty car was still parked opposite. There was no sign of Jinni.

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