get over it given time, and for now it’s time to put on a brave front.’
When they went downstairs, Mary’s assessment of her mother proved to be right when after telling her what had happened, the old lady said, ‘Yeah, well I hope you’ve learned your lesson now. In future I suggest you stick to your own kind.’
‘I guessed you’d say that,’ Mary commented, ‘and it’s best I leave now.’
‘You don’t have to rush off,’ Ruth protested.
‘I think it’s better to go before I say something that I might regret.’
‘Huh, if you’ve got something to say to me, let’s hear it.’
‘No, Mother. Some things are better left unsaid and anyway, knowing how you feel it would be a waste of time.’
With that Mary marched out and Sally followed her, saying urgently, ‘She didn’t mean it, Aunt Mary. The stroke changed Gran, and she really can’t help being the way she is now.’
‘Oh Sally, I know, and I shouldn’t argue with her. It’s just that I came round hoping to see my old mum, the one who was wise and tolerant, the one I could always run to with my problems.’
‘She’s still in there somewhere.’
A loud bang made Mary jump and with her hand on her heart she said, ‘Oh goodness, I hate the run-up to fireworks night. There are children everywhere, throwing bangers or asking for a penny for the guy. I don’t know why their parents allow it, after all it’s tantamount to begging.’
Mary suddenly halted in her tirade, her face paling. ‘Listen to me, Sally. I’m complaining like an old woman, yet since finding out that I’m going through the change I feel like one. I feel as though I’ve aged overnight.’
‘You’re not old, Auntie.’
‘I’m past having children,’ she said sadly, leaning forward to give Sally a kiss on the cheek. ‘Bye, my dear.’
Sally stood on the step as her aunt walked straight-backed down the lane. She didn’t look back, but Sally remained where she was until her aunt turned the corner. She then went back to the kitchen to hear her mum and gran talking about Mary, both pleased that she had broken up with Leroy, both forgetting the pain her aunt was in.
For a moment Sally wondered if this was what her intuition had warned her about, her aunt’s unhappiness and pain. Yet even as the thought crossed her mind she dismissed it as a shiver ran down her spine.
What was coming would be worse, much worse, and Sally’s heart filled with dread.
Chapter Eight
It was November fifth and Sally was outside with Angel, smiling as her daughter squealed with delight, a sparkler held in her gloved hand reflecting bright pinpoints of light onto her face. ‘Why can’t we have a bonfire, Mummy?’
‘We’ve only got the yard and it isn’t big enough.’
‘But Tommy’s having one. He’s got loads of stuff piled in his backyard.’
Sally hardly listened, her eyes peeled for Arthur.
As though in understanding, Angela said, ‘I wish Daddy was here.’
‘Me too,’ Sally murmured as her eyes continued to scan the lane. Arthur had promised to bring home some fireworks, and though there wouldn’t be a bonfire, they were going to set them off in the yard. The lane was smoky, and the occasional rocket could be seen as it whooshed up into the air to explode in a cascade of bright, twinkling lights.
‘Will Daddy be home soon?’
‘I hope so.’
A group of small boys ran into the lane, one throwing a penny banger in their direction. Just as it exploded Sally grabbed Angel’s hand, pulling her daughter inside before she had time to protest.
Angel ran into the kitchen, her tone wheedling. ‘Nanny, I want to go out again. You take me.’
‘Let’s wait for your daddy to come home,’ Ruth placated.
Sally glanced at the clock. ‘Mum, I’m supposed to be standing in for one of the other healers at the hall.’
‘Get going then. This little madam will be fine with me.’
‘All right, but don’t give in to her. There are kids outside throwing bangers
When they went downstairs, Mary’s assessment of her mother proved to be right when after telling her what had happened, the old lady said, ‘Yeah, well I hope you’ve learned your lesson now. In future I suggest you stick to your own kind.’
‘I guessed you’d say that,’ Mary commented, ‘and it’s best I leave now.’
‘You don’t have to rush off,’ Ruth protested.
‘I think it’s better to go before I say something that I might regret.’
‘Huh, if you’ve got something to say to me, let’s hear it.’
‘No, Mother. Some things are better left unsaid and anyway, knowing how you feel it would be a waste of time.’
With that Mary marched out and Sally followed her, saying urgently, ‘She didn’t mean it, Aunt Mary. The stroke changed Gran, and she really can’t help being the way she is now.’
‘Oh Sally, I know, and I shouldn’t argue with her. It’s just that I came round hoping to see my old mum, the one who was wise and tolerant, the one I could always run to with my problems.’
‘She’s still in there somewhere.’
A loud bang made Mary jump and with her hand on her heart she said, ‘Oh goodness, I hate the run-up to fireworks night. There are children everywhere, throwing bangers or asking for a penny for the guy. I don’t know why their parents allow it, after all it’s tantamount to begging.’
Mary suddenly halted in her tirade, her face paling. ‘Listen to me, Sally. I’m complaining like an old woman, yet since finding out that I’m going through the change I feel like one. I feel as though I’ve aged overnight.’
‘You’re not old, Auntie.’
‘I’m past having children,’ she said sadly, leaning forward to give Sally a kiss on the cheek. ‘Bye, my dear.’
Sally stood on the step as her aunt walked straight-backed down the lane. She didn’t look back, but Sally remained where she was until her aunt turned the corner. She then went back to the kitchen to hear her mum and gran talking about Mary, both pleased that she had broken up with Leroy, both forgetting the pain her aunt was in.
For a moment Sally wondered if this was what her intuition had warned her about, her aunt’s unhappiness and pain. Yet even as the thought crossed her mind she dismissed it as a shiver ran down her spine.
What was coming would be worse, much worse, and Sally’s heart filled with dread.
Chapter Eight
It was November fifth and Sally was outside with Angel, smiling as her daughter squealed with delight, a sparkler held in her gloved hand reflecting bright pinpoints of light onto her face. ‘Why can’t we have a bonfire, Mummy?’
‘We’ve only got the yard and it isn’t big enough.’
‘But Tommy’s having one. He’s got loads of stuff piled in his backyard.’
Sally hardly listened, her eyes peeled for Arthur.
As though in understanding, Angela said, ‘I wish Daddy was here.’
‘Me too,’ Sally murmured as her eyes continued to scan the lane. Arthur had promised to bring home some fireworks, and though there wouldn’t be a bonfire, they were going to set them off in the yard. The lane was smoky, and the occasional rocket could be seen as it whooshed up into the air to explode in a cascade of bright, twinkling lights.
‘Will Daddy be home soon?’
‘I hope so.’
A group of small boys ran into the lane, one throwing a penny banger in their direction. Just as it exploded Sally grabbed Angel’s hand, pulling her daughter inside before she had time to protest.
Angel ran into the kitchen, her tone wheedling. ‘Nanny, I want to go out again. You take me.’
‘Let’s wait for your daddy to come home,’ Ruth placated.
Sally glanced at the clock. ‘Mum, I’m supposed to be standing in for one of the other healers at the hall.’
‘Get going then. This little madam will be fine with me.’
‘All right, but don’t give in to her. There are kids outside throwing bangers
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