‘Isn’t that what everybody does when they fall in love?’
‘We didn’t. We spent time getting to know each other before deciding we’d definitely found the person with whom we wanted to spend the rest of our lives. We lived together first, to be sure of what we were getting into.’
‘That’s true, but I knew well before we moved in together that I wanted to marry you. And you know, maybe when you’re Naomi’s age and have experienced a lot more of life and how relationships work and don’t work, you know instinctively when you’ve met the right person.’
‘Or you panic and think this is your last chance and grab the first man that barges into your life before he gets away.’
‘Ellis doesn’t seem the sort to barge in,’ said Tom with a frown.‘And don’t forget they knew each other a long time ago. They were friends then, so they already have a good understanding of each other; the groundwork has already been done.’
‘And how would you feel if this was your father rushing to marry some woman you didn’t know from a bar of soap? Wouldn’t you be concerned at what he was getting himself into? Wouldn’t you feel he was committing the ultimate betrayal of your mother?’
‘Yes and no,’ Tom replied as honestly as he could. ‘Yes, I would want Dad to be happy and if marrying someone he was convinced he loved did that, or even if it was only for companionship, I would support him in his decision. And no, I wouldn’t see it as a betrayal. Because it’s not. It’s about making the most of the life you have left. Losing Mum to Covid taught me that there’s no knowing what’s around the corner, so it’s a case of seize the day while you can.’
When Martha didn’t say anything, he said, ‘Is it specifically Ellis you don’t like, or the thought of your father being replaced? Because to me, Ellis seems a thoroughly decent guy and very mindful of your feelings. And Willow’s. He was considerate enough to sleep next door and not with your mother last night. Didn’t you think the same?’
Taking her eyes off the road, Martha briefly turned to look at him. From behind her sunglasses Tom couldn’t see her eyes, but he could guess at the expression in them.
‘For starters I expect it was Mum who suggested he didn’t sleep with her while we were staying,’ she said. ‘And secondly, of course I hate the idea of Ellis taking my father’s place. What daughter wouldn’t?’
‘Fair point. But does that mean you’re never going to accept Ellis,that you’ll let your disapproval spoil your relationship with your mother, and in turn the relationship she has with our child – her grandchild?’
Again, she flicked her gaze towards him. ‘Could you sound any more sanctimonious?’
‘I probably could if I tried,’ he said. ‘But really, that’s the bottom line of it, isn’t it? By not accepting your mother’s wish to marry again, you’ll be cutting off more than your sweet little nose.’
She tutted. ‘Don’t be absurd, you know full well that I do not have a sweet little nose. I inherited my father’s rather more well-endowed schnozzle, as he always called it.’
Tom risked a smile. ‘And your father’s tenacity to stick to your guns … I suggest boldly.’
His comment had the effect of lowering Martha’s shoulders, which had risen with each crank of the dial of his reasoning with her.
‘A trait,’ she said, ‘that you’ve always loved in me … I reply with grudging resignation.’
He laughed. ‘Indeed I do. But I hate to see you unhappy, Martha. Particularly when we have so much to be happy about with our very own Beanie on the way.’
She sighed. ‘I know you’re right. But I just can’t accept that Mum is going into this with her eyes fully open. Why doesn’t she just live with him and see how things go? I told her that if she really is determined to marry Ellis, she has to have a pre-nup. It’s what any sensible person in her position should do. You know as well as I do that Dad’s portfolio left Mum very comfortably off.’
Tom knew all too well just how comfortable Naomi was, but he suspected that Ellis might be equally well-placed. ‘What did your mother say to that?’ he asked.
‘Apparently Ellis has already made the same suggestion.’
‘I hate to say it, but that puts him in an even better light, doesn’t it?’
Without answering his question, Martha drove on in silence. Then just as Tom’s eyes grew heavy and began to close, she served a curve ball and changed the subject completely.
‘After a weekend spent with him, what do you think of Rick?’ she asked.
‘Well, he’s a bit smooth at times for my liking, but he’s clearly devoted to your sister. He can never do enough for her. And he certainly makes himself useful in helping your mother. Can you recall any of Willow’s previous boyfriends being so thoughtful?’
A more honest answer from him would have been to say that there had been times over the weekend when he’d had to guard against an unexpected feeling of jealous resentment towards Rick. But he wasn’t prepared to admit to something so petty, not when he was ashamed of his reaction. Since Colin died, and on the few times Naomi had sought Tom out for help and advice, he had been only too willing to offer whatever assistance he could. He had done so because he had wanted to be of use to her and had consequently enjoyed Naomi’s trust of him. Would that now change with Rick on the scene? Would Tom have to adjust to somebody else sharing that role that had been his following Colin’s death?
‘You don’t think Rick overdoes the protective concern, do you?’ asked Martha, stemming the flow of his thoughts.
‘In what way?’
‘His constant fussing of her. Didn’t you find that irritating?’
‘Most men would be criticised for not fussing enough. But you know your sister, if she doesn’t like something, she simply walks away.’
