Read Online The Tangling of the Web by Millie Gray - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Millie Gray
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‘Oh aye,’ mocked Sally. ‘None other than our gorgeous Ginny!’
‘And,’ Margo continued, ignoring her mother’s wry comment, ‘if we agreed to have the wedding on a Monday, when the rooms are normally closed, it could all be done for the cost price of the food and a wee bung to the waiters and the band.’ Margo’s belief that she had at last outfoxed her astute mother was evident from the smug, self-satisfied expression on her face. ‘So what do you have to say about all that?’ she teased.
Dropping down on a chair, flabbergasted Sally found herself softly whistling as she drummed her fingers on her chin. She was grateful that Margo was keeping herself out of striking distance – not that Sally ever struck her children, but if ever she was to lose control and lash out at any of them, she knew it would be Margo. Shaking her head wearily, she reasoned that it was true that there were such things as idiosyncrasies running in families. But, she asked herself, Why oh why does this child of mine have to take after my sister and suffer from delusions of grandeur? Surely, my good Lord, one bampot in a family is enough?
‘Mum, while you’re in another of your trances I’m still waiting for an answer.’
‘Mmm,’ responded Sally, before eventually saying, ‘know something, Margo, why don’t you run your wonderful ideas past your dad.’
‘I would, but as you know he has turned into the silent man these last six weeks.’
This statement came as a surprise to Sally, who thought no one else had noticed the change in her Harry. Know something, she silently mused, Never mind this blooming marriage between two young folk who are divorced from reality, I must get Dr Hannah to give my Harry the once-over.
Two months later, the family assembled at the Church of Scotland’s Pilrig/Dalmeny Church for the wedding of Margo to Johnny Souter.
Fifteen minutes had passed since Sally, accompanied by Flora, Josie and Maggie, had taken their seat in the front pew. Listening to the organ music should have calmed Sally, but she was engulfed by an atmosphere of dread. But then from the minute Margo had put her proposition to Harry, everything and everybody’s attitude changed.
Sally conceded it was as if they had all become strangers. Maggie didn’t seem comfortable visiting any more and she never suggested to her that they should go and see a picture in the Gateway Film House. Flora appeared worried about the expense the wedding was going to incur. To help with the cost she had badgered Ginny, who forby being the owner of the Albyn Rooms was also was the licensee of the Four Marys bar, to let her pull the pints there at lunchtime. And of course Ginny, who appeared to bend over backwards for Harry’s relatives, immediately agreed. Josie – well, Josie kept herself busy with yet another male companion and when she was at home she kept mainly to her own basement flat.
Sally felt the problems had begun when Margo had sat herself down on her father’s knee and begun twisting the lobe of his right ear. This was what she used to do when she was a child and she wished to bend Harry into giving in to her. But Margo was an adult now, so Sally had been shocked when Harry, without any further persuasion than a twist of his earlobe, agreed to ask Ginny about the hiring the Albyn Rooms. Drawing Margo closer into himself, he murmured, ‘Look, Princess, your wish is my command.’ Gently stroking her back, he whispered more to himself, ‘And it’s possible that in the future life will throw up some surprises that you could do without, so I’ll just have to try to give you the lovely wedding day you will always remember.’
Sally recalled how Harry had then become quite emotional and avoided eye contact with herself and also his mother, who had just come home. Sally had long pondered that day. She knew what was ailing Harry was not physical. He had been thoroughly examined by Dr Hannah and given a clean bill of health.
‘Oh aye,’ mocked Sally. ‘None other than our gorgeous Ginny!’
‘And,’ Margo continued, ignoring her mother’s wry comment, ‘if we agreed to have the wedding on a Monday, when the rooms are normally closed, it could all be done for the cost price of the food and a wee bung to the waiters and the band.’ Margo’s belief that she had at last outfoxed her astute mother was evident from the smug, self-satisfied expression on her face. ‘So what do you have to say about all that?’ she teased.
Dropping down on a chair, flabbergasted Sally found herself softly whistling as she drummed her fingers on her chin. She was grateful that Margo was keeping herself out of striking distance – not that Sally ever struck her children, but if ever she was to lose control and lash out at any of them, she knew it would be Margo. Shaking her head wearily, she reasoned that it was true that there were such things as idiosyncrasies running in families. But, she asked herself, Why oh why does this child of mine have to take after my sister and suffer from delusions of grandeur? Surely, my good Lord, one bampot in a family is enough?
‘Mum, while you’re in another of your trances I’m still waiting for an answer.’
‘Mmm,’ responded Sally, before eventually saying, ‘know something, Margo, why don’t you run your wonderful ideas past your dad.’
‘I would, but as you know he has turned into the silent man these last six weeks.’
This statement came as a surprise to Sally, who thought no one else had noticed the change in her Harry. Know something, she silently mused, Never mind this blooming marriage between two young folk who are divorced from reality, I must get Dr Hannah to give my Harry the once-over.
Two months later, the family assembled at the Church of Scotland’s Pilrig/Dalmeny Church for the wedding of Margo to Johnny Souter.
Fifteen minutes had passed since Sally, accompanied by Flora, Josie and Maggie, had taken their seat in the front pew. Listening to the organ music should have calmed Sally, but she was engulfed by an atmosphere of dread. But then from the minute Margo had put her proposition to Harry, everything and everybody’s attitude changed.
Sally conceded it was as if they had all become strangers. Maggie didn’t seem comfortable visiting any more and she never suggested to her that they should go and see a picture in the Gateway Film House. Flora appeared worried about the expense the wedding was going to incur. To help with the cost she had badgered Ginny, who forby being the owner of the Albyn Rooms was also was the licensee of the Four Marys bar, to let her pull the pints there at lunchtime. And of course Ginny, who appeared to bend over backwards for Harry’s relatives, immediately agreed. Josie – well, Josie kept herself busy with yet another male companion and when she was at home she kept mainly to her own basement flat.
Sally felt the problems had begun when Margo had sat herself down on her father’s knee and begun twisting the lobe of his right ear. This was what she used to do when she was a child and she wished to bend Harry into giving in to her. But Margo was an adult now, so Sally had been shocked when Harry, without any further persuasion than a twist of his earlobe, agreed to ask Ginny about the hiring the Albyn Rooms. Drawing Margo closer into himself, he murmured, ‘Look, Princess, your wish is my command.’ Gently stroking her back, he whispered more to himself, ‘And it’s possible that in the future life will throw up some surprises that you could do without, so I’ll just have to try to give you the lovely wedding day you will always remember.’
Sally recalled how Harry had then become quite emotional and avoided eye contact with herself and also his mother, who had just come home. Sally had long pondered that day. She knew what was ailing Harry was not physical. He had been thoroughly examined by Dr Hannah and given a clean bill of health.
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