Page 72 of A Good Mother
Babs could only agree so let Bridie forge ahead.
‘I’m going to wait until he actually stands on his own two feet, and if he does, I’ll help him and Fiona out with the money for a deposit. Our Sasha has surprised us all by getting a job so same with her. I’ll help with her student loan and as for our Demi, our golden girl, she won’t have to worry about her university fees. Out of the three of them she’s got her head screwed on right and I’m beyond proud of that girl.’
Had it not been a bit weird and inappropriate, Babs would have stood and given her mum a standing ovation.
‘And as for Pete. He’ll be okay. He has a roof over his head and a good job and all the luxuries he’s become accustomed to. Your mortgage must be almost paid up so he won’t starve and can afford to pay his bills and that’s all I’m saying on the matter. It’s up to you to decide what you do about the house and all that. Just know that financially, you’ll be okay. No more worrying.’
Pushing back her chair, Babs rushed around the table and flung her arms around her mum, squeezing her tight. ‘Thank you. I love you, Mum. I’ll make you proud, I promise.’ When Bridie pulled away and placed two firm hands on Babs’ arms, the mother-daughter look was stern, her words a touch softer.
‘Proud. I already am proud of you and don’t you ever bloody forget it. Never once have I thought any different and that’s a fact. Yes, I was upset when you fell pregnant so young; but I was oh-so very impressed by the young woman who put her best foot forward and became a wonderful mum.
‘I watched you juggle it all. Like I did with you and Tom. It wasn’t easy working shifts at the hospital and bringing up a family. I have so much respect for you, Babs, running your own business, a home that you’ve helped pay for, not to mention three good, very polite – if not slightly spoilt – kids.
‘So from this moment onwards I want you to promise me you’ll hold your head up high and be proud of who you are and what you’ve achieved. You don’t have to make me proud, Babs, because I am already. What I want you to be, is happy, okay.’
It was Bridie’s turn to be the hugger and they were midway through sniffling and smiling when Demi burst through the back door holding up a carrier bag, her face saying,‘Oh, oh, what’s going on?’Her next words proved it.
‘Oh, oh. What’s going on? Gran said to bring an extra pie for mum cos she’s a bit fed up… but this looks serious. Like I should have got cakes, too.’
Babs unfurled herself from Bridie’s embrace and faced Demi, smiling reassurance, and beckoning her inside. ‘Honestly, love. It’s nothing bad, but I do need to have a word about something, so come on, sit down and I’ll explain. I promise, we don’t need cake.’
* * *
So far as Babs could see, Demi appeared to have taken the news quite well. There hadn’t been any recriminations or tears and she’d listened in silence as Babs explained it all.
‘Is there anything you want to ask me, or say? I’d rather you be honest, love.’
Demi shook her head. ‘No, honestly I get it. And after our beach conversation at Rhyl, I’m truly not surprised especially after the baby news. So, you’re going to stay with Uncle Tom?’
‘That’s the plan but I need to ring him and book a flight.’
At this, Demi’s eyes widened. ‘What? You’re going to go like, right away?’
Babs nodded. ‘I think I should. Now I’ve decided, before I chicken out. I need to speak to your dad first, and the others but I have to know you’ll be okay. I don’t want my actions to derail your studies by upsetting you.’
The eye roll said it all. ‘Mum, I’m seventeen. I’ll be fine and anyway I’m out most of the time, either at college or the garden centre and they’ve promised me more shifts now the flipping Christmas trees are all over the place. I’ll either be working or studying, if I get the chance, or here with Gran. Just go and do what you have to. I swear I’ll be fine.’
Babs had a huge lump in her throat and was unable to tell Demi how bloody wonderful she was, and most definitely the most golden of her children. Fortunately, she had no need because when Demi’s eyes widened and her mouth made an O-shape, Babs braced herself for whatever was coming next.
‘OMG!’
Babs and Bridie exchanged wary glances then focused on Demi with Babs asking the obvious. ‘OMG what?’
A huge smile lit up Demi’s face as she clapped her hands together, a sure sign she was excited. ‘I’ve just hadthebest idea,ever.’
CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR
GINA
She checked her watch again.Jimmy would be back any minute so she made the most of each second going over and over how she would react when he walked back through the door.
After kissing Max and Mimi goodbye and waving them off, she’d raced upstairs to take a shower, determined to look her best when Jimmy delivered her sentence. If she was going to be a single, divorced parent then so be it, but his memory of her on the day he confessed wouldn’t be of a haggard snivelling wreck. Which was why she’d done her hair and make-up and chosen a dress that he used to say she looked gorgeous in.
And so she waited.
Gina had chosen to receive the news in the lounge because it was a room she used the least with the children and so she minded less if it became tainted with unhappy memories. It was bad enough that the utility room would always be the place she broke down in a pitiful heap when she realised how absolutely ridiculous her pathetic plan was.
As if she had the guts to kill someone, to smother them in their sleep or gas them to death, let alone start a house fire.
