Dialogues Part II

“Is your tea ok Mum? Not too strong is it?” shouted Neil.

“No dear. It’s lovely.” Marjorie shouted back. She watched Neil walk to the window and look out.

“Myrtle Crescent eh? All those memories.” he sighed. “I said all those memories, eh Mum?”

“Yes dear, I heard you the first time. There’s no need to shout.”

“How long have you been here Mum?”

“Oh, you were six when we moved here so that makes it… erm, how old are you now?”

“Fifty eight”

“Yes, fifty eight, of course you are. Fifty two years this July.”

Neil whistled: “That’s a long time Mum.”

“Yes I suppose it is.”

“Wouldn’t you like a change? Perhaps see more people, less gardening, you must get lonely cooped up in here all day.”

“Oh yes. Sometimes I get lonely. I do miss your dad.”

“Perhaps you could use some looking after, have someone take care of the cooking for you.”

“Ooh like meals on wheels?”

“Well, yes, something like that.” Neil coughed as he loosened his tie. He came away from the window and sat next to Marjorie, putting his hand on her knee.

“Mum?”

“Yes Neil?”

“You remember Mrs Featherstone?”

“Edna? Of course I do. Hasn’t she moved in to Floral Bank?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The nursing home?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right, the lovely big home with the beautiful gardens.”

“Ooh lucky her eh? I suppose she is getting on in years.”

“She’s a year younger than you Mum.”

“Is she really? Well, she’s not as fit as she once was and, of course, her family are all in Australia. I suppose I’m the lucky one, still in my own home with my boy to look after me.” She squeezed Neil’s hand. He stood up and walked to the window. Marjorie watched him, smiling: “Now Neil, what were you saying about meals on wheels?”

More tomorrow...