‘Nope,’ repliedhismum.
Thank God, thought Dan.At least that wassomething.
She giggled with excitement. ‘I’m going toAmsterdam.’
Dan felt his shoulders slump. Thanks to the woman before him, he’d been experiencing one surprise after another as of late; none of them very nice. ‘Mum, you’re not well enough to get on aplane.’
She automatically dismissed his concern. ‘You worrytoomuch.’
‘And you don’t worryenough.’
It seemed they’d reached a stalemate. Not that his mother even tried to see things from his point of view. He could tell by the determination written all over her face that she was heading off to Europe with, or without, hisblessing.
‘Dan, I shall be absolutely fine,’ she said. ‘And I won’t be on my own either. I’ll have a travelcompanion.’
‘Really? And who might that be?’ Unable to condone her decision, he’d be damned if he was going toaccompanyher.
‘If you must know, Missy has agreed to comewithme.’
‘Missy?’ said Dan. ‘And that’s supposed to make me feel better, is it?’ As bad influences went, this so-called friend of hers was turning out to be anexpert.
His mum smiled, intuitive as ever. ‘Am I detecting a little jealousy here?’ sheasked.
As much as he disagreed with her plan, Dan did have to admit he felt a little green -eyed. With precious little time left, he’d assumed she’d wanthimto experience these things with her. Not some woman that her son had never met. Plus his mother hadn’t even attempted to humour him on the travelling front; regardless of them both already knowing his answer, it would have been nice to have beenasked.
‘I didn’t suggest you come with me,’ she said. ‘Because, if we’re honest, neither of us would enjoy ourselves. You’d fuss too much and insist we keep stopping for yetanotherrest. I’d want to keep going and we’d only end up getting annoyed with each other. I don’t have time for that, Dan. Notanymore.’
Dan knew she was right; he constantly worried about her these days. He was forever telling her to put her feet up and rest. But, to not have him in the running from the start, his mum had to see why thatwouldhurt.
‘And if something happens to you?’ he said. ‘While I’m stuck here and you’re over there?Whatthen?’
‘What can possibly go wrong in a few hours?’ said his mum. ‘You see that’s the great thing about this continent of ours. No matter the city, I can be there and back in thesameday.’
‘And you’re allowed to travel,areyou?’
‘Well I won’t tell if youwon’t.’
Frustrated, Dan hated it when his mother had an answer for everything. He also realised there was no point in arguing. His mum had always been the same. Once she’d made up her mind overanythingthat was usually it. As for her trip, she’d clearly thought everything through. He’d just have to resign himself to the fact that she was never going to change. She’d probably be coming up with these balmy ideas of hers right up until her lastbreath.
‘In that case,’ he said. Seizing the opportunity, he took the dish cloth and disinfectant out of her hands. ‘You can’t have both. It’s either Amsterdamorthe cleaning. Yourchoice?’
She reached up and gently placed her right palm on his cheek. ‘I do love you,youknow.’
‘I know,’ he replied. ‘And I loveyoutoo.’
A lump suddenly formed in his throat, Dan struggled to keep his tears at bay. Like she kept telling him, these next few months were about her enjoying the time she had left, not mourning any loss. He had to stay strong and, although she didn’t always make it easy, allow his mum to do things her way. Dan put his arms around her and kissed her forehead. Then he let out a long lamenting sigh before pulling back again. ‘Now sit down,’ he said, painting a smile on his face. ‘And let me get you adrink.’
His mum took a seat. ‘Speaking of Missy,’shesaid.
Dan closed his eyes. Talk about a woman pushing her luck. ‘Whatever it is you’re about to say,’ he said. ‘The answer isstillno.’
‘But why, Dan? I wouldn’t keep pushing if I didn’t think Maeve was right for you. I don’t understand what theproblemis.’
Admittedly, Dan struggled to understand his reasons too. Until recently, his point blank refusal to meet Maeve had been because he hadn’t wanted his mum organising his love life. Not anymore though, now it felt more complicated. Agreeing to a date simply because his mother was dying didn’t just feel wrong it felt unfair—on Maeve as much as himself. The pressure on both of them to like each other would be unbearable. And, if it turned out there was some sort of spark, they’d only be going into a relationship for all the wrongreasons.
‘Look, whatever it is, you know you can tell me,’ said his mum. ‘I just want you to behappy.’
‘Happy with Maeve,youmean.’
