So, you and Matthew got a mortgage, did you? Edith exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement. Oh, darling, thats simply marvellous! Absolutely wonderful!
On the other end of the line, Grace laughed, and Edith could hear her son-in-law mumbling something in the background.
Mum, do calm down a bit, the neighbours might hear
Let them hear! Edith chuckled. When can I come for a look? Today? Tomorrow? Ill bake that apple pie Matthews favourite.
Grace paused for a heartbeat.
Come on Saturday, we should have the furniture in place by then.
Saturday found Edith in the centre of a bright living room, spinning slowly as she took in the high ceilings, wide sash windows, and fresh paint scent mingling with a hint of timber from the new build.
The kitchens huge, can you imagine? Grace guided her mother down the hallway. And theres a glazed balcony. We can leave the pushchair out there when the time comes.
Its wonderful, Edith stroked the wall with her hand. Well done, Matthew, really!
Matthew just gave a modest shrug.
Weve done our best, Mrs Turner.
Over a casual lunch, Edith helped herself to a second slice of pie, and finally spoke aloud the worry shed carried all morning.
I was so nervous for you both. You wouldnt believe it. Grace, youre seven months along, and you were still in that tiny rented flat. The landlord could have kicked you out any day! Thats no way to live.
Grace and Matthew exchanged a look. Edith noticed her daughters lips tighten slightly.
Mum, we managed.
Managed, but it wasnt easy, Edith set her fork aside. I lost sleep worrying all the time. How are they, what if something goes wrong? A child needs stability. They need a home of their own.
Matthew coughed lightly and nudged his plate away.
The payments arent small, well admit. But weve budgeted for it.
Is it a lot? Ediths concern sharpened.
Its reasonable, Grace answered quickly. Its about average for London.
Edith took in her daughters tense shoulders, Matthew gazing intently at the tablecloth, and realised they were both frightened though neither would ever say so.
Listen to me. Edith sat up straighter, her tone brooking no argument. Ill help out, and thats final. Matthews mum and dad will chip in as well, surely?
They promised, Matthew nodded. Mum says shell do what she can every month.
There we are! Edith leaned back in her chair. Youll manage. Youre not alone.
Grace managed a weak smile, but Edith could feel the worry lurking in her eyes.
March brought little Arthur into the world: a hefty, healthy baby with a powerful set of lungs. Edith visited every week, making soups, washing baby clothes, pushing her grandson round the new estate in his shiny pram.
Life settled into a routine. Matthew got a promotion, and Grace began murmuring about perhaps, someday, having another.
Two years later, Lucy arrived, and the flat burst once more with toddler shrieks, scattered toys, and sleepless nights. Edith looked at her daughters shining eyes and believed, for a moment, that life had finally come together.
Then Matthew was made redundant.
Edith didnt hear about it straightaway. Grace dodged her questions, insisted all was fine, just a bit tired lately. The truth slipped out by accident Edith popped round unannounced, and found Grace weeping over a mountain of bills.
We cant keep up anymore, Mum, Grace whispered. Three months in arrears. The bank rings every day.
Edith scraped together what she could, borrowed from family, begged from friends, but it was never enough. Matthews parents were barely managing after his father fell ill.
Six months later, the bank repossessed the flat.
Edith sat at her friend Marys kitchen table, unable to touch her tea.
Theyre in a one-bedroom now, Edith pressed her cup between her palms. Two kids, Mary. Arthurs four, Lucys just two. No space to run about, always tripping over each other! Four people in one room!
Mary shook her head in dismay.
Oh, Edith, its dreadful.
I told them theyd cope, Edith wiped her eyes. Promised Id help. But what can I actually do? My pensions tiny, works hit and miss. It was me who convinced them things would be alright!
You couldnt know what the future would bring.
How does that help? Edith pushed her cup away. Does it make things easier for the children? For Grace?
Edith buried her face in her hands. Shed thought her daughters family had finally found their footing. Now it was worse before, at least, theyd only been renting. Now, two children in tow.
Time crawled on.
Grace and Matthew finally paid off the remainder of the loan, and for a while, that was the best news.
What now? Edith asked.
Saving again for our own place, Grace confessed. Maybe something smaller this time.
Thats just fine, Edith said, though her daughter couldnt see her smile. All that matters is its yours.
Two years more passed. Arthur turned six, and Edith arrived at his birthday clutching an enormous box under her arm. Shed spent hours finding the right building set, the one with cars and the garage, just as Arthur had wanted since Christmas.
Gran! The boy flung himself at Edith, clinging tight. Is this really for me?
All for you, love, Edith kissed his head. And, here, Ive got something else for you.
She pulled an envelope from her bag and handed it to Arthur. He peeked inside, his eyes wide as saucers.
How much is there?
One hundred pounds, Edith crouched to his height. You said you wanted a new phone. Well, time to start saving, and Granny will help if you need more.
Arthur hugged the envelope to his chest and ran off to brag to Lucy. Grace watched from the kitchen doorway, her expression hard to read but Edith, preoccupied, paid it no mind.
A fortnight later, Edith dialled her grandson. Arthur answered on the third ring.
Hello, Gran!
Hello, love! How are you? Hows everything?
Brilliant! Arthur babbled, Mum got me new summer clothes shorts, t-shirts, trainers that light up!
Edith frowned.
Where did your parents get the money for all that?
Mum used the money you gave me! Arthur replied, cheerful as ever. Mum said I can get a phone later. I needed clothes first.
Edith sat frozen with the phone to her ear; something hot and heavy rose in her chest.
Put your mum on, darling.
Shes busy.
Alright, lovey, Edith forced a smile. Bye-bye.
Edith ended the call and sat, unmoving, for ten minutes. It seemed shed be having words with her daughter again.
Early the next morning, Edith strode over to Graces flat.
How could you? Edith burst out. That money was for Arthur! It was his, not yours!
Grace closed her eyes wearily.
Mum, please calm down.
What? Edith snapped. He dreamed of that phone! I gave him that cash so he could save up, so he would start learning about money. And you just spent it!
Graces face became unreadable, resolute.
Mum, I did what I thought best.
Best? Edith was almost shaking. You spent someone elses money without asking?
The boy needed summer clothes, Grace said plainly. Theres no spare cash. We made a choice.
And you couldnt ask me? Edith stepped forward. Couldnt talk to me about it?
No, Mum, Grace shook her head, unflinching. Its my house. I handle money the way I see fit. Its not your concern.
Not my concern? Ediths voice rose to a shout. So its not my concern, how you waste money? You lost the flat because you couldnt manage! Its obvious you two are hopeless!
Grace paled but kept silent.
Now youre dipping into a childs birthday money shameful! Absolutely shameful!
Please leave, Mum, Grace whispered. Just go.
Edith turned on her heel and walked out without saying goodbye. She burned with fury not only had her daughter acted disgracefully, shed chucked her out as well! Well, let Grace come crawling back for forgiveness.
But a month went by. No calls from Grace, not even a reply to a message.
Once more, Edith sat in Marys kitchen, twisting a paper napkin.
Shes cut me off, Edith muttered. My own daughter! Wont let me see the grandchildren, wont answer the phone.
Mary topped up her tea.
What exactly did you say?
The truth! Edith retorted. Told them theyre terrible with money, completely hopeless! And its true, isnt it?
Mary watched the drizzle through the window.
Edith, you gave that money to Arthur?
I did.
Then it was his, not yours, Mary replied gently. If Grace needed to spend it on clothes, thats her call. Its better he was clothed than hoarding for a phone.
Edith opened her mouth, but Mary held up a hand.
And about the mortgage you were wrong to rub it in. They fought for years to pay that debt, both of them working, raising the children. You called them hopeless.
I only wanted the best, Edith whispered, deflated. I just worry for them.
I know you do, Mary nodded. But you end up hurting them. Maybe Maybe you should ring first. Apologise.
Edith pressed her lips together stubbornly and turned away. No. She was the elder; shed only ever wanted what was best for them.
