The Family Divided by Anne Allen

Author:Anne Allen [Allen, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, novel
Publisher: Sarnia Press via Indie Author Project
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

‘Charlotte! What on earth are you doing here?’

Her mother’s tone was not encouraging. Charlotte had parked at the front of the house and been welcomed by the butler, Phillips, with a smile and raised eyebrows. After unloading her case he walked ahead to the sitting room to announce her arrival to her ladyship.

‘I came to see you, Mother. What else?’ Charlotte replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Her mother responded with a glare fierce enough to stop most people in their tracks.

‘There was no need to come haring down, as I said quite plainly yesterday. But as you are here, I expect you would like some tea. If you could bring us some, please, Phillips.’

‘Very good, Madam.’

Once the butler had left, softly closing the old oak door behind him, the two women faced each other.

‘I know the truth, Mother. I phoned Dr Rowlands and he explained about the cancer and…and it’s not good news. Why didn’t you tell me?’

Charlotte sat opposite her mother, noting the dark circles under her eyes and a pinched look that wasn’t there last time they met. And she had most certainly lost weight. Normally a generous size sixteen, she looked more like a size twelve. At her words, her mother’s face seemed to collapse; changing from the initial angry, defiant glare to the sagging softness of defeat.

‘He had no right to tell you!’ For a moment there was a spark of anger before she continued, more quietly, ‘It was a shock, as you can imagine. I was convinced as was apparently Dr Rowlands, it was nothing serious and when he told me…I didn’t want to acknowledge the truth. The last thing I needed after leaving the clinic was to explain everything to you. I neither want nor need your pity, Charlotte,’ she said, her mouth tight.

Charlotte knew she should offer a hug, but the words stopped her. She sensed the brick wall her mother had built around herself was now further fortified and was at a loss as to how to breach it. It had been so different when her father was taken ill. Not one to make a fuss, nevertheless, he had explained the seriousness of his illness and his days might be numbered and he intended to make the most of the time left. They had gone on trips, seen plays and films and generally had a great time full of laughter till the end. Annette had not always joined them and it seemed to Charlotte she was burying her head in the sand. As she appeared to be doing now.

‘Mother, I–’ before she could continue, Phillips knocked on the door and entered with a tray bearing the accoutrements for tea.

‘Leave it on the table, Phillips, my daughter will do the honours.’

The butler bowed and left.

Charlotte poured tea for them both and offered her mother the plate of dainty sandwiches, which she refused, saying she wasn’t hungry. Helping herself to a couple, she sat down again.

‘You started to say something?’ her mother said, her face having regained a shuttered look.

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