UNWANTED MUM
Graham, sit down! We need to talk right now! Emma parked herself at the kitchen table, her face set with determination.
Her husband dropped into a chair beside her. Emma dabbed her teary eyes with a tissue.
I honestly don’t know what to do about Mum. She can barely get around these days. She wont survive another winter out in that rickety old cottage of hersitll collapse before she does.
So, what are you suggesting?
I just told you, I dont know! she snapped.
Emma, youre always hoping Ill solve these things for you, but its your mum. The decisions up to you.
We cant have her here, Graham. Theres only two bedrooms and both the boys are in them and you know what teenage lads are like, all elbows and noise. Where would we even put Mum? It was clear Emma had already reached some decision about her mother, and was now trying to ease her husband into it. Theres that care home in townone you actually pay for.
Emma, youre not saying you want to send your mum to a care home?
Were out of options. Ive heard its not terrible.
But you said its expensive, Graham countered, eyebrows raised. How much are we talking?
Fifty pounds a day. If you pay upfront for the month, its a thousand five hundred. They look after her, nurse on site, all that. Its a lot, but well figure something out.
It just feels…off. Your mums always been bringing jam, chutney, biscuits, spoiling the boys with treatsdid everything for us. And now were shipping her off to a care home?
You think I dont feel awful? But what can we do?
He let out a long sigh. No other ideas?
Thought about selling her cottageshe signed it over to me, remember? But its nearly winter, whod buy that heap? Even if someone does, wed get peanuts for it.
Talked to your mum about any of this?
Not yet. Well go on Saturdaydo her garden, tidy things up, and, well, break the news.
Ill handle the garden with the lads, Graham shook his head. But youre chatting to your mum about the care home, not me.
Shell stay there til spring and then, if she hates it, well think of something.
No, Emma, I think if we put her in there, shes not coming out. Theres something rotten about it.
***
Lydia Brown had been in the care home for a week already. She understood her daughter had no other choice. She could hardly walk, let alone keep up a crumbling cottage on her ownseventy-eight and all.
Still, this wasnt the old age shed daydreamed of. Shed hoped to pass her last years amongst family, but a frail, ill mum is no one’s idea of a catch.
A nurse popped her head in. Mrs Brown! Youve got visitorsyour grandsons!
Lydias face split into a broad smile when they trooped in. Even the youngestCharliewas taller than she was now, and Tom was a head above that.
Hello, Gran! How are you?
Oh, I cant complain, the foods good, the nurses are lovely. Now come heresit at the table!
We cant stay long. Brought you some groceries and warm clothes.
Thank you, dears! Lydias brow furrowed. Hows school going?
Fine! they chorused, entirely unconvincingly.
You keep at it! Tom, its your last year. Have you decided whats next?
Thinking of the local polytechnic, Tom replied.
And your mum and dad?
They sent us. Dad went by your cottage.
Oh, tell him to dig up all the carrotsgetting cold outside, hell need to hurry! And the cabbages too, the heads are massive, fussed Lydia.
Ill ring him now! Charlie whipped out his phone.
Dad, Gran says you need to get the carrots up, and the cabbages too.
Will do, came Grahams voice.
Give it here! Lydia took the phone. Now listen, Grahamdont take the carrots to the cellar straight away, let them dry three days first, then you can put them away. The cabbages, chop them off with the stemsstraight to the cellar, stick them stem down in the sand in one corner, carrots in the otherbut only the big ones. The small carrots are for your lot!
Alright, alright, and dont worry yourself, Mum.
Oh, and find my Pippa, will you? Poor cats all alone now, probably starving.
Ill find her.
Lydia handed the phone back to her grandson.
Gran, we really have to get going, Tom said as he stood.
Wait! She rummaged in her purse. Here, a tenner eachget yourselves a treat.
But you
Take it, boys! Ive got no use for money here anyway.
Thanks, Gran!
They left, while Lydia shuffled over to the window and watched them going, eyes misty.
***
Later, Graham parked his ageing Vauxhall outside their flat. Next to him, Anatole from the end unit was unloading his Ford. Seeing Graham laden with bags of carrots and cabbages, Anatole called,
Back from the allotment?
Something like that. Ex-mother-in-laws, whats left of her vegetable patch.
My wife and I keep saying we ought to get an allotment. Or maybe a little place with a garden, if the kids ever move out for good.
Listen, Tony began Graham thoughtfully. Youve got a four-bedroom, havent you?
Yup. Second floor, nice view.
What if we swapped? Ours is only two bedrooms, also second floor. Throw in the cottage and garden, toomy mother-in-law cant manage it.
Blimey! Tony scratched his head. That might just be the best idea Ive heard in ages. Let me talk to the missus.
Pop round tonight, have a cuppa, bring her with you.
Will do.
***
Graham washed up, ate, and collapsed onto the sofa. Emma headed to the kitchen to get tea started the boys would be back soon: Charlie from football practice, Tom well, Tom had a new girlfriend.
About time, hes seventeen. Not too much trouble, I hope. And Charlies always out kicking a ball somewhere
A knock came at the door. Emma wiped her hands and hurried over. It was Tony and Vicky from next door.
Evening, Emma! Hope its a good time?
Come in! Vicky, everything alright?
Havent the blokes told you?
No? Emma blinked.
They want to trade flats! Vicky laughed.
Emmas jaw dropped. Come in, please, come in!
She raced to the lounge, shook Graham awake.
Up! Guests!
He staggered up and darted to the loo.
Their guests made themselves comfortable. Vicky cast curious looks at the décor.
Will someone let me in on this?
Vicky replied, Emma, our husbands want your flat and your mums cottage, swapped for ours. Four bedrooms, you knowyours is lovely.
Graham came back, and Emma cornered him.
Do you mean this? For real?
If we agree, we could finally bring your mum home, shed have her own room.
Emma paused, a mysterious little smile on her lips.
Well? Lets have some tea, and then Ill come and see your place.
Tea? Tony snorted. I say we open something a bit stronger for this discussion.
***
That night, Emma and Graham tossed and turned in bed, imagining where theyd put everything in their huge new flat. Emma did most of the talking, till Graham started to snore.
Youre not asleep yet, are you? She nudged him.
Dont tell your mum anything yet, Graham mumbled. Shell panic. Once weve settled, well move her in.
***
On a dreary, drizzly autumn morning, Lydia gazed gloomily from her window in the care home. Her mind matched the weather: damp with disappointment.
Three weeks here. Seems like the kids have forgotten I exist. Just the unwanted mum. The grandsons visited once, daughters phoned twice. First call, she said shed sort the cottagesold it or swapped it, sounded over the moon. Well, at least they can pay for me here. A thousand five a month isnt peanuts. No point in thinking of going back, cant. The second call, she said they’re snowed under, would come when they get a chance. Always so busy, the young ones. Saturday today, maybe theyll show up. I never did buy that blasted mobile, wouldnt know how to use it anyway.
She sat with those sad thoughts for ages, until she spotted Grahams car at the gates.
Theyve come! Oh, but just Graham, on his own and empty-handed. Whats happened now?
She stared at the door. Finally, Graham appeared, grinning.
Alright, Mum!
Graham! Is something wrong?
Pack your bags! Youre coming home.
What, for a visit?
Nope. For good. Grab your things!
Oh, stop being cryptic!
Your grandsons insisted it stay a surprise.
Suddenly Lydia flustered, sensing something big. Her roommate, Val, shuffled in from physio.
Lydia, where to, love?
My son-in-laws taking me homesays for good! Lydia said, radiant.
Jammy thing! Mine have left me here for life, I think.
Oh Val, theyll come for you too. Its hard for the young with us oldies, but theyll come.
***
Lydia peered out the window as they droveher mind a muddle: Whys he taking me home? Two-bedroom flat, hardly space for me. Ill just be underfoot, keep them up at night. Theyll probably just send me back here in a week.
But Graham parked, as always, and took her bagsbut led her straight to a different entrance. She looked at him, baffled.
Go on, lets get inside!
Up to the second floor they went, and knocked. The door swung open and Tom and Charlie rushed to hug her.
Gran! This is our new flat now! Charlie yelled.
Emma swooped in for a hug. Mum, youre moving in with us. Come on, Ill show you your room!
The room was small, but snugbrand new bed, wardrobe, everything just for her. It seemed impossible shed now get to live with her daughter, son-in-law and grandsons.
At that moment, something furry wound around her legs and started purring.
Pippa! Lydia gasped with delightthen, overcome, began to cry, tears of pure happiness.
