(Sonnet 120)
Late Christmas morning on the marina was bright and crisp. They’d slept until after dawn and awakened naked in each other’s arms. Adrian had begged Mirren to join him for Christmas lunch at his mum’s, telling her there would be plenty of room at the table, especially since his little brother was in Disneyland with his wife and kid. Although she’d wanted to, she still had her shift at the Yorick and she couldn’t let Kenneth down. He’d be there already in his Rudolf tie and paper crown getting ready for the first lunch service.
Mirren kissed Adrian all the way out the barge and onto the riverside, trying to prolong their goodbyes and he’d promised he’d ring her tomorrow. As he walked away, he turned back to blow her kisses too many times to count.
After showering she put on her red, sequinned party frock, because why not? It was, after all, Christmas day. As she walked over the theatre gardens towards the Yorick she dialled her mum’s number, a little more nervous than usual, and not just because she didn’t know what state she’d find her in.
‘Mum?’
‘Merry Christmas,’ Jeanie replied, sounding cheerful and alert.
‘Are you OK?’
‘Yep, fine thanks. I’m just away to put my Christmas dinner on.’
‘Sorry I’m not there,’ Mirren said with a pang. ‘Listen, I promise we’ll spend next Christmas together, OK?’
Jeanie sounded surprised when she replied. ‘That would be nice.’
‘I feel like… we could have a better year, maybe? Us, I mean.’
There was silence on the line for a second. ‘I hope so.’
‘And maybe you could come here for a visit in the New Year? Stay on the barge with me? It would be nice to spend some time together?’
‘It would. I’d like that.’
Silence fell again, full of emotion.
‘Mirren?’ Jeanie said. ‘I’m trying. I’m really trying this time. I’ve joined a new group and…’
Mirren heard the tearful shake in her mum’s voice. ‘And I’m here to help,’ she said, now reaching the steps of the Yorick.
‘OK, then.’ Jeanie sniffed. ‘We’ll have a better year.’
‘OK. Mum, I’m at work now. I’d better go in. Thanks for the shortbread.’
‘Mirren? Did your dad ring you?’
‘Not yet.’ They both knew he always phoned on Christmas Eve, every year at pub closing time, but not this year. Mirren knew what it meant. No birthday call, and no Christmas call. This must be the year their stilted, barely-there connection was severed entirely. He’d lost interest at last. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Mirren told her mum.
‘You’ve got me,’ Jeanie said hurriedly, and the words sounded unfamiliar but so welcome.
‘OK,’ Mirren was smiling now, with tears spoiling her mascara. ‘So, I’ll see you soon then.’
Anyone listening in might have thought nothing of the conversation, but to Mirren and her mother, these were entirely new sentiments. Simple, caring words that they’d never spoken aloud, but at last they’d made a tiny breakthrough. Maybe Jeanie’s sobriety would last – neither of them knew for certain – but Mirren had it in her power to make sure their connection lasted, even if it wasn’t always perfect. They had a chance to start over. Maybe there had been other chances over the years but she hadn’t taken them. This one she was grabbing with both hands and for once, there was a little hopefulness and forgiveness connecting them.
That night, as she walked home from the Yorick, exhausted, physically and emotionally, with her cling-filmed Christmas dinner plate in hand, she thought how simple the day had felt, and how calm.This must be what happiness is like, she’d thought.
She’d texted Kelsey with her good news about her mum and about Adrian and to wish her a happy Christmas in Scotland. She didn’t mention Wagstaff; no need to throw the cat amongst the pigeons today, not when things were peaceful for once. She’d tell them both tomorrow, with Adrian by her side hopefully, and they could talk it all through before Jonathan flew off to LA.
Back on the barge with her fairy lights shining, Mirren microwaved her dinner and quickly texted Adrian.
Merry Christmas, I hope you’re having a lovely time. See you tomorrow? Night night, x
As she threw her phone on the bed and pulled off her boots she heard the little pinging sound from under the kitchen table and was surprised to discover Adrian’s phone on the floor. He must have left without it. Hehadbeen a little distracted this morning when he was leaving, as they’d kissed and giggled and waved soppily to one another. It was too late now to do anything about it. Hopefully he’d call round for it in the morning. So she settled in for the night with her food and the festive TV programmes, and true warmth in her heart. Life was indeed wonderful.
‘Morning,umm, is that Adrian’s mum?’ There was only one number stored in the phone, so she’d rung it.
