Page 88 of The Coach Trip
‘So, when are you two coming back home?’ my mother questions, instantly killing the mood. ‘You can do all of this Life Mentoring stuff from England surely. I’ll make both the rooms up. I’ve already redecorated yours, Nell, ready for you. All neutrals with a splash of Elephant’s Breath. You’ll love it.’
Ava and I look at each other.
‘We’ll be staying out here in Spain, Mum. This is our home now, and besides we have a business to run,’ I look at Ava and add, ‘together.’
‘Nonsense the pair of you. You’ll both come home and live with us, as usual.’
‘Mum, listen…’
‘No you listen. You’ve had your bit fun, now it’s time to grow up. You’re just being ridiculous. You are both coming home, and that’s the end of it.’
My heart plummets. Not this again. A feeling of self-doubt floods through me.
‘No, they won’t,’ barks Dad, putting his foot down from behind the newspaper. ‘They are grown women with minds of their own, a business to run and a perfectly good home here in Spain to live in. Leave them to get on with their lives and stop bloody interfering.’
Ava and I watch, as our mother opens her mouth to say something, then shuts it, then opens it again, then shuts it. She takes a good moment to look at each of us in turn. After a hefty silence, a sad realisation sweeps across her face.
‘Well, I… if that’s what you really want, then I suppose… I suppose I’ll just have to let you get on with it.’
Oh my fucking God, did she just agree to do as she was told?
She receives a curt nod from Dad who flicks his paper back up to hide his face. The conversation is closed. Finally! Finally, some balance has been restored. Perhaps now our mother will be more respectful of our decisions and treat us as grown-ups, as equals, and, more importantly, she might leave her controlling ways behind.
‘But you must promise to include me in all the wedding preparations, Nell.’
‘But we’ve literally only been on one date.’
‘It has to be in England of course, otherwise we’ll never hear the end of it. And you couldn’t do any better than Longley Hall, I hear they do a marvellous spread and, of course, we’ll have to invite all of Mrs Robson’s lot from next door. Her daughter eloped you know. It was quite the embarrassment. Wanted onlytheirfriends at it. I’ll not be having that.’
‘Mum, you’vejustpromised us all that you won’t interfere,’ Ava reminds her. We exchange perplexed looks as our mother carries on as though neither of us are audible. Dad remains hidden behind the paper.Really. Are we all just going to let this go?
‘And we’ll have it in Springtime. I’ve always loved a Spring wedding. I look great in a hat, don’t I, Gordon? GORDON, don’t I? And we’ll hire the wedding cars and marquee from… I do hope it doesn’t rain. Maybe I should have it in summer, just to be on the safe side, and perhaps indoors. I’ll still wear green, then I’m covered for both seasons and all weathers. I suit green, don’t I, Gordon? GORDON? Are you even listening?’
Christ alive but she’s annoying at times.
Ava leans towards me, ‘Fuck. I’m just like Mum, aren’t I?’
‘Yes, yes you are.’ I smile at her. ‘Un-fucking-bearably so. But don’t worry, I know a good life coach who can sort you out.’
Ava gives me a tight hug. ‘I love you.’
‘Okay, I’m off to bed,’ I say, peeling her off me. ‘Right after I Google what Ryan says his secret for a happy and lasting relationship is.’
The End
