Page 5 of Six Steps to Happiness
“I keep telling you it’s either that or crafting a couple of voodoo dolls.” The number of times Ronnie had looked at her sewing machine and felt tempted.
Putting down her mixing bowl and wooden spoon, she smiled at the sight of her guest still clinging on for dear life, Bea’s colourful attire and dry humour never failing to brighten her mood. Wiping her hands on a tea towel, Ronnie cleaned up some of the mess off the table. “And to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Bea took a seat, careful to avoid the dusting of flour in front of her. She fiddled with the numerous bangles adorning her wrist. “Oh, you know. I was passing.”
Ronnie paused and knowing a fib when she heard one, folded her arms tight across her chest. “He rang you, didn’t he? About what I’ve been up to?”
Bea didn’t answer, which was an answer in itself.
“So, he’s sent you round to give me a good talking to, has he?”
Bea laughed. “Something like that.”
Ronnie noted the glint in her mother-in-law’s eye. “Meaning?”
“Nick wasn’t the one to ring, Gay with anewas.”
Ronnie scoffed. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I supposeIshouldn’t have been really. That woman does have more neck than a giraffe. Of course, I told her where to go. That I wasn’t in the business of telling Nick’swife, the mother of myonly grandchild, what to do.”
Ronnie bit down on her lip, trying to disguise her amusement.
“Although I can’t say it went down too well.”
“I bet it didn’t.” Ronnie turned to make some tea, at the same time imagining Gaye coughing and spluttering down the phone at Bea’s response, something she’d have paid good money to see.
“And neither did telling her it was Nick who needed to sort his shit out, not you.”
Ronnie spun round again. “Bea!” She put a hand up to her mouth, doing her best not to laugh.
“I know, I know, I shouldn’t have sworn, but someone had to put her in her place. And it’s not as if your tactics are working, is it?”
Ronnie’s smile faded. As grateful as she was for the loyalty, she had to acknowledge the difficulty in Bea’s predicament. Her mother-in-law shouldn’t be forced to take sides when it came to either party; the reason Ronnie had kept her antics to herself. Besides, Nick was Bea’s son, her flesh and blood, and Ronnie respected that. “I’m sorry. No-one has the right to try to put you in the middle of this, least of all Gaye.”
“My dear, it’s that son of mine who should be apologising. We wouldn’t even be having this discussion were it not for him.”
Unable to disagree, Ronnie got back to making the tea, before carrying a couple of mugs over to the table. “Well, thank you,” she said, placing them down. “But in future, please don’t feel you have to stick up for me. I’m a big girl and I can fight my own battles.” She took a seat.
“Really? Because the last I heard you were almost arrested.”
Ignoring the fact that her mother-in-law had a point, Ronnie felt her hackles rise. She still couldn’t believe she was the one who had ended up in trouble. She thought back to the previous evening’s events, and while it was a resolve best kept to herself, felt determined to get rid of them more than ever. Ronnie took a deep breath. She just had to decide how.
“I thought you weren’t here to talk about that?” Ronnie said, putting on a smile.
“I’m not.”
“Then why are you here?” Ronnie took a sip of her tea. “I mean it’s lovely to see you, but you don’t usually pop round at the weekends.” A voice interrupting from out in the hall immediately diverted her attention.
“It’s only me.”
Ronnie’s face lit up. “Willow?” she said, putting down her mug. “What’s she doing here?”
Ronnie’s daughter appeared in the doorway. “Oh, Lordy,” she said, suddenly stopping. Taking in the sight before her, Willow’s eyes went from the flour, to the eggshells, to the spilt milk, before resting on the discarded mixing bowl. “Things can’t be that bad, can they?”
“Don’t you start,” Ronnie replied, laughing. She got up from her seat, holding out her arms ready for a hug. “You should have called,” she said, pulling back. “To let me know you were coming.”
“Why?” Willow raised an eyebrow. “So you could bake a cake?”
