Catherine passed away Her sons made the trip from the city to the village for the wake. Well, at least they showed up now, the neighbours whispered, At least theyve seen her off properly. When the wake ended, the sons and their families started gathering their things to head back. Just then, Aunt Linda, Catherines sister, walked in.
Aunt Linda, we really need to get going, said the eldest son. We should lock up the house. Time for you to be heading back too.
Heading back?! Linda looked at them, stunned. This is my home! Ive nowhere else to go. Everyone watched her, surprised.
Rita and James had got married and moved in with James mum.
The wedding was a simple affair they figured theyd put the money towards something more sensible rather than spend it all on a flat of their own.
Before that, James lived with his mother and Rita stayed in student accommodation. Ritas childhood hadnt been the easiest her mum was rarely around, always off living her own wild life. Rita hardly knew her father.
James mother decided the newlyweds needed their own space. She took her annual leave and went to stay with her sister Catherine down in the country. She often spent her holidays there. Catherine lived alone after her husband passed away, and her two sons popped in only rarely, barely even phoning.
They could at least give their mum a ring, Catherine would grumble sometimes. What if I really need something? She never asked them for help, though. If something needed doing, shed do it herself, or rope in a neighbour sometimes her nephew James came round with his sister.
James was handy, always had been. He used to visit often before he got married. Hell forget his old aunt now, just like my boys have, Catherine would sigh. They didnt even bring their wives round, only saw them at the wedding. They were city girls, those two. No grandchildren, eitherapparently its too early.
Linda, youre here! My sister! Catherine beamed.
Theyd always been close. Grew up together, but then Linda moved to London and married. Catherine stayed in the village. Both lost their husbands the same year, and neither remarried.
Youll look after things while Im here. Ive still got another weeks leave. Why havent James and the new wife been to see their aunty? Off on a honeymoon at the seaside, are they?
No, theyre being careful with money. The wedding was quiet, just the registry office and done. Rita doesnt really have family herselfher mums always off out somewhere. Shes been on her own for ages. Ran away from home. Poor thing. Shes a good girl.
Why didnt you bring them with you, though?
Oh, let them settle in. Young love they need a bit of peace and quiet to get used to each other. And honestly, I thought James might never marry, at thirty. But he did in the end thank goodness. Let them be.
Im sure theyre already used to each other by now. No sense in them spending their honeymoon stuck in the city. He should at least bring his wife to meet his auntie. Call him! House is big enough for everyone. If they hate it, its not far to head back home.
James and Rita turned up a day later. Aunt Catherine couldnt have been happier. Its lovely to see you! My own sons never come, no matter how many times I invite them. Always some excuse
Rita loved being in the country it reminded her of spending time at her grans years ago. When her gran passed, Rita was only fifteen, and had to fend for herself, working and studying at the same time.
Catherine took care of things as usual, Linda rested and whipped up lovely meals for everyone. James fixed the fence by the shed and put new tiles on the outbuilding roof. Rita was always out in the garden, tending to the veggies.
Leave that for now, love, said Catherine. My holidays not for long, Ill have plenty of time to handle the garden. You relax.
I dont mind, honestly! said Rita. I used to help my gran. I love working in the garden. You have a proper rest when your leave comes.
By the time Lindas holiday was over, it felt as if the days had flown by. Everyone went home, leaving Catherine alone. Everything was tidy, everything done. In the evenings, though, she found herself a bit lonely. One day, she rang her eldest son.
Whats happened, Mum?
Oh, nothings wrong. Just ringing. See how youre getting on. Maybe youll pop by and visit?
No time for that. Maybe call your brother he might have changed his mind about going to the coast this summer.
So she called her younger son, but it was the same old story. Off to the seaside, no interest in spending a few days with their mum. Well, thats life. At least James said hed visit
Years passed. James and Rita managed to buy their own flat. They never forgot Aunt Catherine and visited often, always helping out around the house. Theyd bring their kids too, and the children would spend their summers at their two grandmothers: Catherine and Linda, both retired now.
Catherine never did get her own grandchildren. Her younger son had a stepson, but her eldest was always too caught up with his career; later it was just a little late for starting a family. And thats how it goes sometimes. Once every three or four years theyd show their faces Be happy, Mum, see? We havent forgotten you!
Thank goodness James, Rita, and her sister were around.
And so life carried on, until Catherine fell ill. She needed some treatment, and funds were tight, so she called her younger son to explain.
Mum, youve never needed fancy clinics before no point starting now! Theres no place like home to get better, you know. Rest up.
James and Rita paid for her to go to a convalescent home. They sent both sisters together, so they could keep each other company.
Catherine passed away four years later. Her sons turned up to the village for the wake.
At least they made it this time, the neighbours whispered. At least they were here to see her off one last time.
They started packing their things to head back to the city, while Aunt Linda and James family lingered.
Aunt Linda, well, umwe should be off now, started the eldest son. Should lock up the place. You lot should be heading out too.
Heading out?! Linda bristled. This is my home. Ive nowhere to go.
Everyone stared at Linda with surprise.
This is Mums house! said the younger son. That means its ours now. Well be selling it. If you want to keep anything a vase, tea set, just take it. Were clearing the lot anyway.
No, you take something to remember your mother by, but Catherine gave me the house when she got poorly, right after she got back from the convalescent home.
Convalescent home? She gave it to you? But were her sons!
Oh, you remember now, do you? Where were you when she was bedridden? Sons, indeed!
The sons left without another word. That was that. Now there was nowhere for them to come back to, and no one to phone.
Linda moved in to her sisters old place, renting out her flat in town and helping out her sons family and they visit all the time, just as it should be. Theyre a loving, close-knit bunch. The only thing missing is Catherine.
But you know, shes still with them, always, in their hearts and memories.
