Polly, Victoria Hargreaves snapped, the strain in her voice barely concealed. All the girls around here are dreaming of getting a university place in London. And you?
Paula Whitaker let a thin smile curl on her lips. She knew better than to argue with her motherinlaw; Eleanorno, Eleanor was stubborn, unflinching. And there was no point in trying.
Polly, at least give her a word! Victoria pleaded, desperation lacing each syllable. She cant just stay here, in Harrogate, while Im begging for a proper degree for her.
What would I say? Paula replied, her tone flat. That she ought to be dragged against her will to some alien city because youbecause you want a shiny diploma on the wall?
This is her life, not yours, not mine, to decide where she studies or even if she studies at all, Victoria shot back.
What do you mean if she studies at all? Paula muttered, the words catching in her throat. Can I have two seconds?
Everyone has their own idea of what it means to make a life of ones own. Some count children, some count the size of a bank balance, others care little for material things, believing that a life is only fulfilled when a childor better yet, severalhas been brought into the world. Theres nothing wrong with those differing visions, provided no one forces their worldview on another.
But the moment someone tries to bend anothers destiny to fit their ideal, the situation twists into something far more poisonous.
Victoria Hargreaves was obsessed with higher educationno compromise, no local college substitutes. She had spent her own youth clawing her way into a statefunded place at Oxford, and she expected the same for her grandchildren.
Paula had never clashed with Victoria. Her future soninlaw, Paul Whitaker, had earned a scholarship to Cambridge and lived in London until he was twentyfive. There was no room for argument; the whole family thought Victorias fixation on a proper degree was a harmless quirk.
Some people sew plush toys, some tend their gardens, some wax lyrical about the importance of a university qualification. Everything changed when Victorias granddaughters grew up.
The elder, Charlotte, rolled her eyes at her grandmothers speeches, dismissing them as teenage angst. The real storm broke when Charlotte, after finishing Year11, enrolled in the county medical college, juggled a few short courses, and, the moment she secured her certificate, jumped straight into the beauty industry.
That was the first serious clash between Paula and Victoria.
What do you mean she doesnt want an education? Victoria hissed. A degree is a passportproof of competence, a mark of intellect.
And what use has your prestige been? Victoria shot back. What did you study, a shopassistant certificate?
You cant even pick a decent pair of shoes for yourself, yet you keep calling me, Paula retorted.
Paul, love, why is she shouting at me? Paul asked, bewildered. What did I say?
Can a girl survive without a degree these days? Victoria wailed. I want the best for my granddaughter, but shes throwing her future into the wind.
Paul sided with his wife and daughters, laying out his view.
Charlotte barely survived the medical collegefailed two subjects three times. She isnt cut out for a university. He sighed. Why force someone into a grind they cant handle? She wont get a statefunded place at a top university, and we cant keep paying tuition fees. Our budget isnt endless.
He added, Well send Blythe to a local college next year, get Boris to school. Im not splashing cash on a prestige degree for Charlotte.
Besides, he continued, she went home with a diploma, partied with friends for a week, then started doing brows and lips for women who want to look pretty. Shes earning decent money, Mum. Times have changed; a university isnt the only path to success.
Whether Pauls defence swayed Victoria or simply wore her down, the argument never resurfaceduntil Blythe finished school and announced shed study parttime at a nearby institute, just two streets from home, while still keeping her place at the local university she adored.
Does it matter where I study? Blythe declared, eyes bright. Im not planning to conquer the capital. Ive been there a few times; I know its not for me.
We live in the county centre; everything we need is here. No point choking on city smog, she added, Ill probably go remote someday, maybe settle in a small town.
Victorias composure cracked.
Paula, you must stop her. If you let this go, therell be no clever people left in the family.
Not only was the elder daughter a plugas Victoria called her in a fit of irritationBlythe was also pushing her away.
Before Blythe could launch into a tirade, Charlottes voice cut through.
So thats how you see me, Grandmum? Like a plug? And you call me that every time you need to clean up or buy groceries? she snapped. How do you manage, dear, dealing with a plug like me? It must be humiliating to take the money and things I give you.
What things? Paula asked, genuinely puzzled.
Charlotte never meddled in financial matters, so her mention of gifts surprised Paula.
Just the little thingsan old kettle here, a microwave there. Its not much, and her pension isnt exactly rolling in. Charlotte smirked. I never thought Id be helping a grandmother who treats me like a bottle stopper.
Charlotte, please understand, Victoria pleaded, without a higher education a person
Your higher education, Grandmum, can go fetch the groceries, Charlotte retorted sharply.
At that moment Paula demanded that Victoria leave the Whitaker house forever and never return.
Paul, hearing his mothers tirade, stood firmly behind his wife, cutting all contact with his mother. He said it was one thing to be stubborn, another entirely to insult ones own grandchildren.
Victoria tried several times to mend fences with the Whitaker family, but eventually gave up. Charlotte and Blythe stopped answering her calls, as did Paula. Paul and his brother Boris still met her on neutral ground, but no talk of grandchildrens education ever resurfaced.
Perhaps, in time, the old woman will learn from her mistakes and, having lost two granddaughters, might still keep a relationship with her sons remaining child.
Only time will tell.
