Well, youve really outdone yourself, love, serving the guests with borscht, sniffed Thomas, his nose wrinkling at the air in the kitchen. The whole room reeked of simmered tomatoes and last years cabbagelike a pot of stew left over from the pubs and takeaway places they used to haunt in London. You could’ve conjured something a bit more exciting than that red soup, he muttered. Meatballs, a salad with mayo, crêpesanything! And the sliced vegetables, too but honestly, leave me alone, you old fool. Ill manage without you. Scuttle off before I whack you with a ladle. Waitstay! Turn the pot off in five minutes, Im going, she snapped, tearing off her apron in a flash.
Where are you off to? Thomas asked, fumbling his trousers and glancing fearfully at the stove.
To the meeting. They said theyd be here in ten minutes. Ill pick up some extra bread; theres always someone who never gets enough to eat. She smoothed her hair in the hallway mirror. The short, tightly curled bob that should have suited a woman of her age now sat like a rebel on her head, a reminder of days when she had been a blooming beauty, long before the inevitable wilt that no one could halt.
Are they really that small? Theyll fetch themselves up, Thomas wondered aloud.
Enough, Tom, stop fluttering your eyes. Ill handle it without you. Dont forget the pot, and for heavens sake, put something on before you wander about in your underwear, she snapped.
Whats with the sour mood today? Thomas began, hurt flickering in his voice.
I dont know! Margaret snapped back, Youll never understand, you simple man. She swayed her hips toward the lift, her steps echoing in the stairwell.
What a dreadful lotevery year our son pops up with a new girlfriend, all of them vulgar and haughty, never knowing which horse to ride. Some are vegans, some dietobsessed, some think salt is a sin, others think everythings too greasy, and they cant even find a proper dinner knife! Its as if theyve never seen a proper fork since the Stone Age, yet they survive. She chuckled at the absurdity.
The girls, perched on the sofa, turned their noses up at everything Margaret cooked. This time she decided not to strain herself; she would just make something simple, enough to fill bellies and keep hunger at bay.
The street greeted Margaret with the fresh scent of May, and as she breathed in the clean air she barely noticed the silver car pulling up. Her son, James, now thirtyseven, with no title, no steady job, fiddling with internet schemes, rushed out, his eyes bright with a desperate wish for a proper family and a grandchild. Margarets heart fluttered; all her friends had already become nannies, while she felt left out, a lone moth in a world that had moved on. Jamess girlfriends were all the samemarried, unwilling to have children.
Mum, why did you come out? Wed have gotten it ourselves, love, James said, hugging her. Meet Lucy.
Hello, Lucy said, nodding politely.
Oh! Margaret blurted, Hello
Finally, someone who looks like an ordinary person, no tricks, Margaret thought, a sweet smile blooming on her lips as she gazed at her sons new companion. Lets hope this one works, she looks a bit like a proper country girl, decent enough.
Shall we go? James asked.
Hold on, Mum, theres a bag of drinks and a box of presents for you in the boot, Lucy chimed, eyes sparkling.
Awhat?! Margaret reached out, intrigued, as Lucys smile widened. Lucys into environmental work, a champion for a clean planet, and the gift is right on themesomething for the house.
Margarets enthusiasm deflated instantly. No, I jumped to conclusions; shes just another eccentric.
Could you grab the bag, Mum? Ill take the heavy boxLucy cant lift much, James said, pulling a sturdy parcel from the car.
In that moment, a secret glance passed between the two lovers, unseen by Margaret, who already buried the thought of her sons new romance. She snatched the bag robotically and shuffled the youngsters into the flat.
After the usual flurry of greetings, they all sat down. Lucy did not bat an eye at the borscht; she scooped it up with a spoon and ate. When asked about her job, she blushed, speaking in hesitant fragments. She described herself as a junior officer in an environmental monitoring agency, something Margaret barely caught.
Is it an official job? Margaret inquired.
Yes, Im on the books.
See, James? Youve been without a proper record for ten yearsyour employment book gathering dust. What if you fall ill? What about a pension? Time flies, and youre already thirtyseven. Margarets words cut deeper than she intended.
Mom, I wont live to see a pension, dont worry.
Maybe you think that, but the day will come when youre sitting on your arse, Margaret declared confidently.
Enough, pleasemy stomach cant take this. Dad, pass the crêpe and the cheese, James tried to interject, raising a toast, only to be interrupted by his fathers booming wishes.
The borscht is delicious, Margaret Smith, Lucy said shyly, May I help clear the table?
The women began gathering dishes. Spotting the cluttered stove and the notsoclean hob, Lucy clapped her hands. Your gift! she exclaimed. She unpacked the box, laying out ecofriendly cleaning products, explaining, These are biodegradable, made from vegetables and fruit, dissolve in water, and dont harm the environment. Our company makes almost all household chemicals.
Shall we try them now? Lucy beamed, looking radiant, Ill treat the hob, and while the solution works, Ill wash the dishes with this special gel.
Terrified, Margaret shielded the hob. No, love, I havent cleaned it in three days; it would be a disgrace.
Oh, come off it, I grew up in the countryside and have seen every kind of hob, Lucy laughed. Just spray it yourself, and Ill finish with a sponge.
Lucy worked deftly, while Margaret rolled bits of bread across the table, peppering her with questions about Lucys schooling, her parents, how she met James. The answers were proper and satisfactory, easing Margarets mind. Then Lucy turned to the hob, wiping it clean with a swift motion, the grime disappearing as if it were never there.
Thank you for the lovely gifts, Lucy, Margaret admitted, still wary of hidden motivesthere were always hidden motives. Suddenly, a clink of a glass from the living room summoned everyone back to the sofa. James embraced his girlfriend, placed a gentle hand on her belly, and announced, Well, Mum, Dad Lucy and I have decided to marry.
Oh! Margaret gasped.
And thats not all James paused, stopping the inevitable chorus of exclamations, then gave Lucy a mischievous kiss that flushed her cheeks. Were expecting a baby, so expect a grandchild in winter.
Thats heavensent! Margaret leapt, arms flailing. The Blessed Mother has heard my prayers, the angels have smiled!
Come here, sweet Lucy, our sunshine, our little angel, she cooed, opening her arms, shushing James who fidgeted. Be gentle, I know better how to handle a pregnant woman!
Margaret, could you share some of your recipes? Lucy whispered, tears glimmering, I cant cook as well as you, especially the borscht.
Oh, Lucy! Margaret exclaimed, losing herself in joyous delirium, Its my dreamto pass my knowledge to my daughterinlaw, to give my love unspent to my future grandchild! This modest dream, thanks to you, finally feels achievable.
