‘Well, you know my mum, she can be very forceful, and she’s very fond of… I mean, she knows the people well.’
‘Really?Anyway, that’s by the by.Regular check-ups for you, plenty of good food and rest, and I’ll see you next week, right?’
‘OK, and thanks.I promise I’ll go and see the other two and have a long chat, maybe we can sort something out.I don’t quite know how though.And I also need to talk to my mum.’
Deep in thought, Mab heard the phone being slammed down.If only Jess didn’t have to think about sending George to school.He would learn far more by just being here, surrounded by all of the gang.George had been interested in everything today.he’d even invented a new sort of toasted panini for lunch, with melted goats’ cheese, caramelised onion chutney, celery, sultanas, apples, and a touch of grated ginger.It had sounded gross but Mab had to admit that it tasted wonderful.Oh, no – did this mean she shouldn’t have eaten the cheese?This pregnancy business was way more complicated than she’d expected.But George had been so organised; he’d even got out his calculator, and worked out how much it would cost to produce these snacks for the café.He was determined that there would be some savoury choices on the menu.
Mab remembered George’s absorbed expression as he’d added up the precise amounts of ingredients needed to make the panini on a commercial basis, and an idea that had been forming in her mind over several days suddenly began to seem more feasible.What if Jess looked seriously at homeschooling for George?It might help to create a balance between the side of him that was overconfident and bright, and the other part of George that seemed to lack understanding of the most basic concepts.Mab didn’t know much about children and even less about education, but how would it be if a whole range of people took on different teaching responsibilities?That way, George could learn maths from Leo, getting hands-on experience of running a business in the process, and he could be taught the ins and outs of literacy by Mab herself.She would love to pass on her passion for reading and writing.Nina could take responsibility for history and geography, Jess would probably love to do both art and cookery and Stan could teach design and technology and music, plus all the computer-type stuff.It was an amazing idea!
As Jess came into the kitchen, Mab jumped to her feet and hugged her friend.
‘What’s that for?’asked Jess, slumping onto a stool.‘Make me some coffee, Mab, I’ve got to think quickly.They say George has to try a different school, but I know wherever he goes, we’re going to have the same problems.’
Mab took a deep breath, and began to outline her plan.At first, Jess’s expression was cynical but as Mab fetched a large pad of paper and some coloured pens and sat down to demonstrate how it could work, she began to look more hopeful.After a while, she sighed.
‘Mab, look, it’s all very well you volunteering everybody’s services, but what if they don’t want to do it?And, I hate to say this, but you’ve… well, you’ve never been very interested in kids, have you?Won’t you get bored?’
Mab began to protest but realised that Jess had a point.‘I really want to do this, Jess.I want George to have a chance to spread his wings.He’s a fantastic artist, a great cook, and who knows what else he can do if he’s not being made to jump through the wrong hoops?’
‘Well, we’ll have to talk to the others before we go any further.There’s no way we’d get permission to do any homeschooling until the shop’s up and running and everyone’s settled down.Although I guess I could just start to research the possibilities and rules on the Internet and see if there are any useful online helpdesks.’
Jess and Mab scribbled enthusiastically until Nina returned in a taxi from her trip to the cash and carry, laden with useful items such as deep blue and gold paper napkins, giant sacks of sugar and flour and party-sized boxes of cake decorations.Leo had given up on the catering company for the time being, and had decided to go it alone, and Nina had jumped at the chance to do her bit.
‘I think we’re all but ready now,’ said Mab as they unpacked the boxes.‘Harry’s getting a massive load of books today, and there’s just the northern suppliers to pick up from.Maybe Leo will want to do those though?’She frowned, and started to load the packages into the kitchen cupboards.
‘He’ll probably want to see his brothers… and Sophie…’ said Nina, glancing at Mab.‘It seems ages since they went home.He must miss her.’
‘Hmm.She hasn’t phoned at all though, as far as I know.Wouldn’t you think she’d want to know how the business is doing?He must have told her about all the problems, surely?’said Jess.
Nina shrugged.‘She wasn’t interested in the shop when she was here, why should she care when she’s back with her friends?I think she’s a waste of space, personally.Some might use the words “silly, immature little madam” but I’m far too grown up for that.’
‘Oh, Mum, you can’t say that.It’s Leo’s life.If he loves her, and wants to marry her, it’s up to him, surely?’
Mab bit her lip.She was relieved when Jess started to outline the plan for George’s education.Thinking of Leo and Sophie was agony.She’d just have to get used to it, though.Nina listened to Jess, and Mab was reminded how alike mother and daughter were, both slim and vital, bright blonde hair, wide blue eyes and a new sparkle that was lovely to see.Why couldn’t Mab have that bond with Ria?Nina never seemed to rule Jess’s life or try to make her feel small.In that moment, Mab knew that she would take action.It was no good moaning to herself that life wasn’t fair.She’d need to stand up to her mother and show her that she had a mind of her own.Just the thought of doing this made Mab feel sick, but she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath.Nina was still trying to take in the plans for George.
‘That sounds a fantastic idea.Look, I’ll make some coffee, we’ll try some of that new banana flapjack recipe you made this morning – the smell’s absolutely gorgeous, it’s been driving me crazy since I woke up – and you can tell me about this properly.I’ve been wondering how we could help George for a long time.Fancy me being a teacher though?I wanted to do that when I left school.’
‘Why didn’t you?Jess always said you were great at explaining things,’ Mab said.
‘Did she?That was nice of you, love.’Nina smiled at her daughter.‘But my dad said I had to leave school and earn some money as soon as possible.He was looking at redundancy himself at the time, but then as soon as I got a job, they told Dad he could stay on at the factory and he was there till he retired.Typical.’
There was a clatter of feet, and the door to the flat was flung open.
‘We’re back,’ shouted George, leading the way into the room.His face was paler than usual and Mab wondered if the pain from his injuries was catching up with him after all this extra activity.Stan and Leo followed, laden with plastic bags full of wriggling, multi-coloured creatures.
‘Why did we let him persuade us to get all this lot?’said Leo.‘We’ll be really stuffed if the tank order gets cocked up too; they’ll all end up in the bath.’
Fortunately, the enormous tank and all its accompanying kit arrived after only half an hour’s wait, and Leo, Stan and George immediately began to put it together.It was an amazing creation when it was finished.The only thing to add was plants, which would have to wait until the next day.Mab was itching to tell them about her plan for George but knew it would have to wait until he was safely in bed.She was exhausted, and ready for bed herself.
‘This is all very well, but we still don’t have an opening date, and the fish stuff must have cost a fortune,’ Mab said, coming back from the bathroom much later, after a blissful soak in Leo’s best bubbles.She lay full-length on the sofa and winced as the springs dug into her aching back.‘What if the council won’t let us open at all?I’ve heard of cases that drag on for months, and that “jobsworth” man would probably love to put a stop to us completely.’
‘Don’t be so depressing, Mab,’ said Jess.‘We’ll get the OK soon, I’m sure of it.Leo’s just said that he’s off to northern parts to collect the last books tomorrow, just as you thought.I think he wants to talk to Sophie as much as anything.’
Mab frowned.Her heart twisted painfully at the thought of Leo and Sophie together again.She was sure as soon as Leo saw his beautiful fiancée, he’d remember how much he loved her, and then he’d forget all about the interlude with Mab.It couldn’t even be called an interlude really, merely a steamy kiss and a bit of wisecracking flirtation.It was probably all in a day’s work to a Geordie boy.She might as well just get on with planning the business.An idea was beginning to form, and Mab had a good feeling about this one.
24
Driving back up the A1 seemed strange to Leo.He had been away from his homeland for less than six weeks, but it felt like years.Summer was starting to really get its act together now, and the trees were lush and leafy, with the scent of blossom drifting in through the open window every time he slowed down.Leo switched on the radio, and listened to the sound of the DJ playing hits from the nineties.He felt ancient today, especially when he thought of Sophie out clubbing with her friends to music that made his head thump.He was desperately out of touch, and knew that if she suggested going into town tonight he would have to let her down.In fact, Leo felt that he was letting her down all round.His mobile bleeped, and he pulled into a layby, glad of the chance to get out of the van for a minute or two.It was a WhatsApp message from Jess.
