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“It’s OK, mum. I’ve moved in with my... boyfriend,” I cringed as I heard her practically swoon on the other end of the phone.
“Boyfriend! When did you get a boyfriend?” she replied.
“A few weeks back.”
“You moved in with him already?” Mum’s voice was transforming from shocked parent to concerned parent. “That sounds very committed, darling, and quick. We haven’t even met him. What is his name for goodness sake?”
I rolled my eyes and tried hard not to look at Jason. “Jason. His name is Jason Lucas.”
The name meant nothing to my parents.
“I moved in at the weekend. Well, into one of his houses, now I’m at his other house.” I rattled off the complicated accommodation arrangements.
“I’m sorry. Houses? I don’t understand, love,” she was flustered.
“He’s rich, mum,” I whispered uncomfortably. “Two houses, one in town and one in the country. We weekend at the country house called Blythewood House and use the townhouse Piedmont on weekdays for commuting to work. Well, I will once I get a new job.”
“When will you get a new job? You can’t be without work these days,” she lectured. My mother always obsessed about me having a decent career.
“Soon, mum. There is no urgency. Jason looks after me.” I tried hard to reassure her.
There was a pause. “So do we get to meet this boyfriend?” my mum sounded uppity. All these changes and I had not told her until now. She was annoyed with me.
“If you like, you can come to Blythewood this Sunday for lunch.” I played my ace. “Would you and dad like that?”
Of course she did, and we quickly sorted out the arrangements, providing the address and the time for their arrival. She was lapping up my situation, desperate to see my new boyfriend and me. I said my goodbyes and flopped back in the chair with relief. Jason tossed the newspaper down and revealed he had been silently chortling like crazy behind it. I frowned at his amusement.
“What?” I snapped.
“Babe, you and your mum sounded like you were quoting the ‘Importance of Being Earnest’. You know, town and country,” he laughed.
I threw a cushion at him and he caught it with ease.
“Very funny. I suppose you were expecting me to say you were found in a handbag or something. I’m just glad that it’s done.” I ran my hands down my face. “She has been waiting years for that call. A boyfriend and me. I’m going to have to come up with some juicy tip bits to feed her with for the next few calls or else she is going to be impossible.”
“As long as they don’t involve our sex life.” Jason wagged a finger at me.
“Good grief. No fear of that. I shall sell the houses and the huge garden. She is going to love the garden.” I had found my juicy tip bits.
***
I flicked aimless through a tattered magazine while I waited for my name to be called. Finally, I had arranged an appointment with my GP. I was cutting it fine as I had only a few pills left. Gibson was parked outside. She escorted me and checked out the busy waiting room before satisfying herself that I was in no danger.
My name was called and I headed into see my doctor. She was a specialist in women’s health and family planning – not that I had been planning a family. She had a blunt approach and during my early appointments with her, she had come across as somewhat unwelcoming.
I sat down opposite her as she checked through my notes. Her long greying hair was tied back and she had an appearance of a headmistress rather than a family GP.
“You’ve not been so see me for a while. You can’t have many pills left,” her voice was edged with criticism.
“Been busy,” I replied shortly.
“Well let’s check you over and then review your situation.”
She gave me a reassuring smile reaching for the sphygmomanometer.
I was reminded of my first encounter with her, not long after my twenty-first birthday. I had been incredibly nervous and she had not put me at ease as I had hoped. I had been on and off the pill since I left my parents’ house and started university. I had been in a relationship quite different from any I had previously. I had been sent to the doctors under the instruction to ‘get myself sorted.’
She had conducted my examination with cool detachment and without comment. Afterwards I had redressed and sat down, fiddling nervously with my cuffs.
