Page 63 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘I suppose I must be.’ She smiled, shaking her head with mirth.

‘Better try one of these shortbread, if you’re the canny cook. Don’t let them all see, mind.’ She glanced around the day room furtively. ‘Like a flock of crows this lot when there’s food about. Ena over there, she’d eat six biscuits on the trot, easily … and Arthur …’ She pointed to a tall, skinny man who was dressed fairly smartly, but on closer inspection was wearing faded black suit trousers and a white shirt marked with … gravy stains, perhaps? He’d evidently nodded off, his head slumped to one side, bless him. ‘Yes, with Arthur, the whole tin’d be gone. Hollow legs that one.’

They chatted easily over tea and biscuits, Cath asking what Andreas had been like as a child.

‘Hah, full of himself. But joyous, always a sunny child.’ ‘Sounds like he hasn’t changed much,’ Cath agreed.

Cath then talked about finding her feet in the village, and how lovely it had been to start meeting up as the supper group. They had a bit of a giggle over Nikki’s Seventies night.

Maria reminisced about coming over to London in the mid-Sixties, and life as a young married woman in a new and exciting, yet sometimes overwhelming city, with her handsome Greek-Cypriot husband, Theo. She told how his brother had already made the move, and had helped find Theo an office job within the London-based Greek shipping industry. Andreas and his older sister, Alexandra, came along soon afterwards. Their little Greek-Cypriot community, many of whom still lived in the Palmers Green area of North London, sounded supportive and fun. That’s where the wedding was this weekend. This lovely old lady had a sparkle about her, and had certainly taken life by the horns back then, soaking up life in the capital, and creating a new home for her and her young family. All too soon, it was time to go, as it was apparent that preparations were being made for supper time, with chairs being shifted in the adjoining dining room and staff busying themselves.

‘Well, I’d better get away now, Maria. Shirley will be waiting for her supper and a walk.’

‘Ah, you have the little dog. She’s a character, that one. Keeps the boys on their toes, good on her. Well, you get yourself away. And thank you so much for taking the time to visit an old girl.’

‘It’s been a pleasure.’ Cath was standing up and popping her jacket back on, realising that she really had enjoyed Maria’s company. And it felt good to be doing something kind. She quickly added, ‘Maria, would it be all right to visit you again sometime? Would you like that?’

‘Of course, I would, Kopela mou. It’s brightened up my day.

’ ‘Ko-pela moo?’ Cath queried.

‘It means “My Girl”. The old lady was smiling warmly, the deep creases etched around her eyes showing her age, her long life. Maria reached out her good hand towards Cath, who gave it an affectionate, gentle squeeze.

‘Ah lovely. Well, that’s settled then. I’ll see you again soon, Maria. Take care.’

With that, Cath was on her way, with a very warm glow inside.

Chapter 37

Cath was kneeling at the border’s edge, trowel in hand, digging out some bindweed that had dared to take root among the fragrant purple lavender. She knew better than to leave that invasive plant to take over. It was a sunshine-and-showers kind of day and she was making the most of a dry hour to attack the weeds. She daren’t let Reggie’s legacy of flowers and shrubs go to ruin. In fact, she’d even bought new seeds, and after weeding the raised bed, last week, had started a small vegetable and herb garden – all the better for her supper recipes. Tiny sprigs of life had already started, the warm and at times wet weather bringing them on. Soon enough there’d be a row of carrot tops, beetroots and lollo rosso lettuce, along with the parsley, sage, thyme and oregano plants that were settling in nicely at one end.

In her jeans pocket, Cath’s mobile burst into life. It took her a second or two to work out the vibration from her hip area.

‘Hi, sis. You okay?’

‘Yeah, fine. Been busy, but good.’ Cath brushed some mud from her knees and settled herself down in a garden chair, holding the phone in the crook of her neck for a few seconds as she peeled off her muddy gardening gloves.

‘Great. And how’s it been with Adam back down in Leeds?’ ‘Ah, it was lovely seeing him again, but I have to admit that it’s a bit of a relief to have the cottage back to myself. It’s just … we were so on top of each other here. I do hope he didn’t feel pushed out, though.’ Mother and son had been messaging and chatting, but she had this nagging feeling that Adam was struggling with life. Coming back from his adventures, looking for a bright career, a new focus, and failing in that – other than finding some bar work to tide himself over with – had evidently left him feeling flat. His youthful get-go spark had dimmed. And she hoped she hadn’t added to that feeling, stressing him out about sharing the small space of the cottage.

‘Ah, he’ll be fine. Be having fun back in Leeds. Can’t have been much going on for him there in your little village …’

‘Not for a twenty-something, no, I suppose not.’ Cath felt a bit better, her sister’s comment helped her put things back in perspective, so she parked her guilt. ‘Sounds as though he’s getting fed up living with Trev. And, of course, the girlfriend’s back on the scene. How did I guess that might happen? Adam’s now talking about getting himself moved in with an old uni friend … they’ve found a cheap flat to rent in Kirkstall.’

‘Well, it can’t be easy living with your dad and his new bit of fluff. It’ll give Adam a bit of independence, too. Sounds a good idea. Anyhow, that leaves the spare room free again, I imagine?’ hinted Susie.

‘Well, yeah.’

‘Fab. Because guess what, I have a free weekend next week …’

‘Are you inviting yourself?’ Cath grinned.

‘Hah, yeah, absolutely.’

‘O-kay. That’d be lovely. Yeah, let’s go for it.’ There was nothing stopping Cath from having her, no prior engagements other than tuition which she’d squeeze in fine, and already she found herself looking forward to it.

‘Brilliant … I’ll get my little suitcase at the ready.’

Cath could hear the smile in her sister’s voice. And, this was one guest she really would enjoy having to stay.