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“There’s no justification for my behaviour towards her. Your father and I have discussed the situation at length, and he dealt me a few home truths.” Mum fidgeted her hands in her lap. “The only response I have is that I was upset and angry and I reacted accordingly.”
I stared at her. “I hope you’re saving the apology for Sophie, because that one was ridiculous.”
“Hugo, please. I’m trying to be open here.”
“You’re doing a terrible job.”
“I would like to discuss the situation with you.” She met my gaze. “I know your accusations were not unfounded. You’re not that kind of person, and to have so much support…” She glanced away. “I would like to see the evidence so that I might make a decision in regard to Nancy’s employment.”
“I suspended her indefinitely without pay, pending investigation,” I replied.
“I know. You were correct to.”
“I don’t need your validation for that.”
“I know.”
“Good. We’re making progress.” I stared at her. “I love you, Mum. I respect you more than you know, but your actions yesterday were really fucking shit. I’m sorry for using that language, but there’s no other way to describe it.”
She looked at her hands on her lap. “You’re not wrong.”
Grandma’s lips curved up into a small smile, and she nodded at me to continue.
“You didn’t let her say her part from the very beginning. Instead of listening, you attacked. Sophie has never bitten back at you. She’s never done anything other than pander to your pedantic whims and your unnecessary criticisms. She went out of her way to please you and give you the party you wanted for Grandma, even at the expense of how Grandma felt.”
Mum closed her eyes.
“You treated her appallingly. Even when we backed her up, you ran away and chose to listen to Nancy’s bullshit denial instead.”
“I know,” she said quietly.
“And because of you, she’s gone. Sophie’s gone back to London.”
Grandma picked up her tea and sipped.
“I should have followed her last night, but I couldn’t. I had to be here. Talking to the brick wall that you are. I didn’t make it to the cottage before she left, and you need to know that for all your matchmaking, your inability to listen might have fucked it up good and proper for me.”
Mum raised her chin and took a deep breath in, meeting my gaze.
“Sophie might not be who you think is right for me, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is who I think is right. You don’t have a say over my future wife. That’s the only thing in my life that belongs entirely to me, but you might have buggered it up anyway.”
“I understand,” she said softly. “And I hope you know how very, very sorry I am that my actions have caused this.”
“I don’t.”
She met my gaze.
“And I never will,” I continued. “If this doesn’t work out, I sincerely hope you will regret what you’ve done for the rest of your life.”
Grandma raised her eyebrows. “Oh, boy.”
“I will be going to London today. Grandma, if I’m not back for your party, I’m sorry. But she left before we could talk, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her walk out of my life without doing everything I can to keep her in it.”
“Hear, hear,” Grandma muttered.
“You asked Grandma last night how she could defend Sophie.” I sat back. “I wondered the same.” I looked to her. “Do you mind sharing?”
“I never mind sharing, Hugo. Sharing my feelings and opinions is my favourite hobby, as it happens.” She took the last drink of her tea and elegantly sat forwards, carefully setting the cup down on the coaster on the table before she linked her fingers over her knee. “I don’t bloody care.”
