Page 104 of Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society
‘I’m not saying you haven’t. But can’t you see thatImay want to giveyouwhat you need now?’
‘You have enough on your plate.’
‘You’re not on my plate. You’re my mum.’
Rose’s bottom lip quivers, but then, like the stoic Lorraine knows her to be, it stops. Not a fan of crying, her mum. Which maybe isn’t healthy but that’s the way she is. Rose’s dad served in World War I and he probably never cried, because if you were in that war you’d probably never stop if you started. Imagine how bad it was. Anyway, Lorraine thinks that’s where Rose gets it.
‘But I don’t want to add to your worries,’ Rose says.
That makes Lorraine dig her fingernails into her palms, because having her mother here with a broken arm for anindefinite amount of time adds more to her worries than fixing the blasted path would have.
She’s meant to be taking care of the books today because even though Mike’s not around she’s still looking after his business. It’s her business too, even if her name isn’t on it. Just like her name isn’t on the house. Talk about adding to worries. Rose knew what she was talking about when she warned Lorraine about the finances, but oh no, Lorraine knew better because she loved Mike and he loved her and all that ridiculousness. No doubt if she asked her mother – which she won’t, because she’d never hear the end of it – Rose would say that if Mike really loved her he would never have put her in this position. And she’d be right, and that would make Lorraine cross, then they’d argue and Rose would get worked up and that’s not good for an elderly person with a broken arm.
Breathe, breathe, Lorraine, don’t have a tizzy. It won’t help anyone.
‘Anyway, it’s done now,’ she says, because what else can she say? No point going over the past. Again.
There’s a knock on the door, which is open, so that means it’s Cora. The boys would just come barrelling in if they were here, but they’re at school.
Cora peers into the room and Lorraine wishes she’d come in properly, or say something, instead of lurking like she’s waiting for permission. Which is polite, Lorraine admits, but Cora’s never been one to hold back and she can’t believe her mother-in-law’s suddenly developed manners around Rose. Or maybe she has. People can change.
‘Hello?’ Cora calls softly.
‘Come in, Cora,’ Lorraine says. And yes, she’s read vampire stories so she knows that by issuing the invitation she’s giving Cora permission to bite her in the neck.
‘I just came to see how Rose is feeling.’ Cora is fully in the room now and the grandmothers are staring at each other.
When Lorraine told Rose that she’d have to move in here for a little while – because she can’t cook or do much of anything with a broken arm – Rose’s only protest was about having to live with Cora. But as Lorraine said at the time, ‘Nothing I can do about it, Mum. You can’t go home and she doesn’t have another home.’
‘Rose is feeling fine,’ Lorraine’s mother says loudly, sitting up straighter.
‘Your arm …’ Cora gestures towards it. ‘Is it sore?’
‘Not while she’s on painkillers,’ Lorraine says. ‘And she’ll let me know when they start to wear off.’
‘I can answer for myself, Lorraine,’ Rose snaps.
Great, now Lorraine hastwoold ladies on her back.
‘Sorry, Mum,’ she says, because that’s the only thing for it. You can’t chastise your mum in front of her mortal enemy.
‘It was painful at first, Cora,’ Rose explains carefully. ‘But Lorraine is right – I’m not in pain at the moment.’
Lorraine rolls her eyes but not in view of either woman.
‘Can I help with anything?’ Cora says.
Like you’ve ever helped Mum with anything, Lorraine wants to say, then she’s suspicious. Cora isn’t naturally nice, so when she adds this offer to the help Cora’s been giving her around the house it seems like her mother-in-law must want something.
‘No, we’re fine,’ Lorraine says, then of course her mother scowls because she’s answered for her again.
‘Sorry,’ she amends. ‘I meanI’mfine.’ She glances at her mother, who looks satisfied.
‘And I’m fine too,’ Rose adds.
Cora looks nervously from Rose to Lorraine and back.
‘What’s wrong, Cora?’ Lorraine snaps. Time to end this pantomime.
