‘You go and find a jumper and I’ll fling everything back in the fridge.’
As she went back up the stairs she felt elated, knowing for certain that she wanted him in her life and her home forever. He was already well established in her heart.
William did a good job magicking away Gilly’s abortive attempts at lunch. Sebastian had never learned where anything went in all the years they were married. She knew it would be very different with William.
‘You look lovely!’ said William and even Gilly, who never realised when she was being complimented, couldn’t mistake the light of love and desire in his eyes. ‘Phone!’ He handed it to her. ‘Now let’s go gliding before we get distracted.’
Gilly was still nervous about gliding but once they were up in the clouds she really did feel she’d left her problems and concerns on the ground. It was another beautiful day, and William had been able to borrow a two-seater glider at short notice. Apparently everyone needed accountants and William did the accounts for most of the gliding club. A couple of phone calls and he had acquired one for the afternoon. He’d told her all this on theway to the club, not letting her tell him he couldn’t move in. They both knew the situation but William felt Gilly could make the decision better with a clear head. ‘Gliding is the perfect head-clearer,’ he said.
And so it proved. By the time Gilly had come back down to earth she had decided that William should move in. But there was still a place in her heart that hurt for her son.
‘I wonder if Martin will come to our party,’ said Gilly while William was driving her home.
‘We’ll ask him – and his wife and daughter, of course – and just see.’
William’s calm manner added to the calm she had gathered while swooping over the landscape.
‘I really hope they do decide to come,’ she said, sounding positive, feeling less so. ‘But we’ll still have fun if they don’t.’
Helena was having tea with Jago the following day when she saw an unknown number calling her. She nearly didn’t answer it but then decided to risk it.
‘Helena? William – your mother’s friend.’
‘Of course!’ said Helena, relieved he wasn’t likely to sell her anything.
‘I wonder if I could ask your help. Could we meet for a drink this evening? I could meet you anywhere that suits you.’
After they had arranged where to meet, she turned to Jago. ‘That was William. He says he wants my help.’
‘Ah,’ said Jago. ‘I wonder if I know what it is.’
‘Then tell me! I can’t think.’
‘I imagine it’s to do with your brother being unhappy about your mother wanting to live with William in your old home.’
Now Helena understood. ‘Ah. He wants me to try to talk him round.’
‘I expect so. William won’t want Gilly being unhappy about Martin. In theory, he’s a grown-up and should just suck it up. But your mum is very maternal. She won’t want to do anything that makes him unhappy.’
‘You’re absolutely right. But this is her time. She should have a chance of happiness!’
Jago shrugged. ‘She’s very caring.’
‘Too caring,’ said Helena, determined to insist that William did move in if that was what her mother wanted.
Sitting in a wine bar a few hours later, Helena really understood why her mother loved William. He was kind, a good listener but not too full on. He was a slow burn rather than instant conflagration and he obviously cared about Gilly very much.
‘I know that however much she says she’ll put up with Martin being unhappy, she will be miserable,’ William said. ‘However unreasonable Martinis being she’s still affected by it. I’d love to start organising this party with her knowing she has the blessing of both her children.’
‘She does hate it if we fall out and I know she’ll be miserable if she thinks Martin is unhappy about anything she does.’
‘Exactly.’
‘And you want me to try to talk Martin round?’
He had a very endearing smile. ‘Do you think you can?’
Helena shrugged. ‘I’ll certainly try. I think you’re absolutely right about Mum. This should be a very happy time for her. I know she likes you, William. She should be allowed to enjoy that and stop being a mum all the time.’
