There were people waiting and he wasn’t going to let them down.
30
NETTA
Netta was doing her best to pour Prosecco into the rows of glasses on the tray in front of her, but it was splashing everywhere because her hands were trembling. If Moira Chiles didn’t fire her for slacking off her work to have a sing-song with Ava, then she might do it for wasting fizzy wine.
And why, oh why would her face not stop burning?
What. Had. Just. Happened?
This might just be the most embarrassing moment of her life. She’d had no idea that she’d been recorded that day. Absolutely none. She’d just been trying to help out young Ava and then… Oh the mortification. All those talented folks in this building and the TV show had decided to show the canteen worker doing her best Celine Dion. She’d never live this down.
That lovely Ginny had already been in and had been all full of praise, but then, that lass got enthusiastic about everything. She’d burst into song last week because Netta had kept her two Scotch pies aside after her class ran late.
Thankfully, at that moment Netta was distracted from her embarrassment by Blair, who came in the door, grin splitting his handsome face as he threw his arms around her. ‘Holy shit, Mum, you were something else up there.’ He looked so genuinely thrilled that Netta giggled, as he took her by the hand and spun her around. ‘Netta McGonigle went full Barbra Streisand up there.’
As he let her go, she was blushing right down to her very core. ‘Och, I wouldn’t say that…’
‘Well I would. And double McGonigle family win, because we managed to keep the lights on and avoid a catastrophic blowout, so go me.’
‘Well done, son – I never doubted you for a second,’ Netta congratulated him, feeling slightly giddy because she’d spun too fast.
As he said that, the camera crew, students and assorted others began to drift in the canteen door. ‘I’m coming back to celebrate with you as soon as we get the cabling set up for the next shoot in here. But honestly, Mum, I’m proud of you.’
He kissed her on the cheek, then went off back to his duties and she beamed with happiness all the way back to the kitchen. She pulled out more glasses and was busy stacking them on a tray when she realised someone was watching her from the doorway.
‘Hi, Mum.’
‘Mandy! You came! Och, love, I’m sorry, but you’ve missed the show.’ It was probably just as well, given that she’d made an absolute spectacle of herself.
‘Actually, I saw the show, Mum.’
‘Oh.’
‘And it was… it was…’
Netta wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. As if things with her daughter weren’t bad enough, now she’d definitely be thinking her mother had lost her marbles.
‘Mum, it was amazing. You were fantastic. How did we never know that you could do that? I don’t ever remember you singing…’
Netta shrugged, realising the truth of it wasn’t going to help Mandy’s view of her being spineless when it came to Fergus. ‘I used to sing to you both when you were wee, but your dad was always moaning, saying it carried through the house and he was trying to watch telly, so I suppose I got out of the habit. I do sing a bit now, but only in the kitchen,’ she smiled, trying to make this somehow less of a poor reflection on her ability to stand up for herself.
Mandy thought about that for a moment and Netta fully expected her to turn on her heel and get right back away to her power suit and her independent, career-woman life. But, instead, she came towards her and for the first time in a long while, her daughter hugged her, quite literally closing the emotional distance that had been between them. Netta could have held her girl there forever, but after a few moments, Mandy let her go.
‘Mum, I’m so sorry. God, I’ve been such a judgemental cow. I think I just got used to seeing you a certain way and I forgot you were more than just Dad’s wife and our mum. Dad took you for granted every day and I hated that… But the truth is that I did too and it was almost as if I resented you for my feelings. And then I saw the way you were with that student…’
‘Ava,’ Netta said softly, struggling for any other words.
‘Yes, Ava. And it reminded me of a million times that you listened to me when I was upset, or stressed, or just making a drama of something. I’d forgotten that’s what you do. You listen. I’m just sorry I stopped appreciating that, and I’m sorry that I’ve been so wrapped up in myself that I never asked how you were doing. I’d like to change that if I can. God, I can be insufferable sometimes.’
That made Netta smile. ‘I wouldn’t say that…’
‘Of course, you wouldn’t – that’s my point.’ Mandy said, with a wry laugh. ‘You’re too nice for us all. You’re all sunshine, and sometimes I think the only languages I speak are “irritated” and “bitchy”.’
Netta decided not to argue, but Mandy’s fairly accurate self-deprecation did make her smile just a little wider.
‘I really did mean it when I said sorry, Mum. I hope you can forgive me. If so, I was thinking that maybe we could start spending some time together again. If you’re free, that is. Dinner once a week. Or maybe a drive on a Sunday.’
