There was a second of collective silence while she, and she suspected all present, waited to hear Winnie’s view on their choice.
Instead, she shouted, ‘Dad got you the pasta you wanted!’ Leaping up she grabbed the bowl from his hands.
This was her mother’s way: rather than comment, discuss or let the idea settle, like a footballer with her eye on the goal, she tackled, sprinted, spun and deployed the verbal equivalent of fancy footwork to distract and confuse the opposing team, meaning she would always, one way or another, get a shot at the target. And Cleo knew in that moment it wasn’t how she wanted to raise her baby.
‘Are you hungry, Cleo?’ Her mother pushed. ‘He went all the way up the high street to get it for you. Didn’t you, darling?’ she called to her husband.
The rumble in her stomach confirmed that she was indeed hungry and she figured food could only help quell the feeling oflight-headedness that weakened her. In truth, all she wanted to do was pack up her baby and go home and she knew the key to leaving quickly was to get that pasta down her neck. Plus, the scent coming from the hot bowl of Fettucine Alfredo was enough to encourage her to stay just a little bit longer. This aside from the fact that her sweet dad, who was now staring out of the window looking thoughtful, had gone to so much trouble.
‘Are you okay, Dad?’
‘Oh, more than okay, my love, more than okay. It’s a daunting thought, isn’t it, the withering time ...’
She caught Georgie’s eyeline and they both pulled faces; what on earth was her dad on about?
‘Just standing here trying to take it all in: a new grandson, new beginnings, it really is something. He’s certainly a smasher, like his mum.’
It must have been her hormones but to hear her dad say something so lovely was like touchpaper to kindling and her tears bloomed.
‘Oh dear! You want to keep an eye out for the baby blues.’ Her mother spoke firmly as she handed her the large white dish full of steaming pasta, which looked and smelled incredible.
‘I’m teary because it’s an emotional time!’ She took the bowl into her hands. ‘I only gave birth like five minutes ago. I have pushed something the size of a melon through a very narrow gap and it bloody hurt!’
‘Yes, we all know how much it hurts,’ her mother whispered to her. ‘But there are only two sorts of women, darling: those who moan about it, dine out on it, and think they are unique – and those of us who just get on with it.’
For some reason the woman’s lack of empathy made her laugh. It was typical, and Cleo couldn’t wait to get home, pull up the drawbridge and get on Rightmove to seek out cottages in Ilfracombe.
‘But I mean what I say.’ Her mother wasn’t done. ‘Look out for baby blues. Keep your boobs clean, rested and empty, and eat well. Oh, and sleep when the baby sleeps, that’s the key. AskGeorgieif he wouldn’t mind pitching in and letting you rest a bit.’
Choosing to ignore her mother’s words and without the energy to explain howGeorgiedid more than his fair share around the house – he cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed the floors, did laundry, washed dishes, almost as if he were a functioning adult living as her equal! The irony wasn’t lost on her that her own father did very little, other than man the barbecue and the odd spot of gardening.
‘Hello?’ a male voice called from the hallway.
‘Come through, we’re in here!’ Winnie yelled without knowing who it was and this was enough to send a protective jolt right through Cleo, who considered retrieving her baby from the seat and holding him close.
A man in a neat blue linen blazer, tight chinos and tan loafers stepped into the room.
‘MrPortland! How wonderful!’ Winnie gushed. Jumping up, she ran over to him and stood very close to his side, as if presenting him to the wider family. ‘This is MrPortland!’ She grinned.
MrPortland looked more than a little uncomfortable. ‘I don’t want to intrude,’ he began.
‘Oh, not at all, you’re welcome any time! This is my daughter, Cleo.’ Winnie pointed in her direction. Cleo raised her hand.
‘Lovely to meet you.’ The man blushed and looked most awkward. ‘I can’t stay but was passing and was a little worried about your message earlier, MrsKelleway.’
‘Winnie, please!’ she trilled.
‘W-Winnie, yes. I didn’t know you had family around you and thought you might need help or be in difficulty. You said it was urgent and so ...’ He sucked air through his teeth. His discomfort was excruciating.
‘What message?’ Lawrence asked what they were all thinking.
‘Oh!’ Her mother batted her hand. ‘I only wanted to ask MrPortland for advice on the oak they want to take down. I thought with his connections at the council he might be able to have a word with someone about it.’
‘Oh, I see!’ The man looked from Winnie to the floor. ‘I don’t really ... I was only checking in on you; we like to keep an eye on the elderly members of our community. All part of the Portland and Portland customer service!’
Cleo winced. The word elderly, when used in association with her mother, was, she knew, never going to go down well. Georgie smirked. Her mother however laughed loudly, as if he was joking.
‘You are funny, MrPortland. And may I say it must be so lovely working with your older brother. I would love my children to all work together. Family is so important, don’t you think? This is our newest addition.’ She pointed to Tommy.
