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With her operation looming, she’s trying to put a brave face on it, but I can tell she’s growing more and more anxious as the big day approaches. Today’s trip out is just the therapy she needs to take her mind off everything.
We wave them off at the cottage– Bertie, Luke and I– and then soon after ten, Rory arrives with his lawn mower.
‘What’s Lois doing today?’ I ask. ‘Does she mind you coming over here?’
‘I doubt it.’ He grins. ‘She’s going shopping with an old friend and they’ll no doubt be treating themselves to lunch somewhere expensive. So Lois will be having a great day.’
‘That’s good. We’re not keeping you away from more exciting things, then?’
Rory grins broadly, looking around him. ‘What could be better than a day in the great outdoors with good company, messing about in the garden?’ He rubs his hands together. ‘Right, boys, where shall we start?’
The boys are really keen to help, so Rory begins by taking shears to the privet hedge at the bottom of the garden, showing Luke and Bertie how to pile up the trimmings nearby.
‘We should have a bonfire,’ he says, when I bring out mugs of coffee later, and cold drinks for the boys. He takes his mug with a smile. ‘There’ll be so much garden waste by the time we’ve finished here.’
‘A bonfire? You mean for Bonfire Night?’ asks Bertie. ‘Can we have fireworks as well?’
Rory thinks about this. ‘That’s not a bad idea. If your gran says it’s okay. And Clara.’ He smiles across at me, and my heart flips over. ‘Give it some thought and let me know?’
‘That would be great!’ I really don’t need to think about it. How much fun would Bonfire Night be, with Bertie, Luke and Rory? Gran would love it! And maybe Lois would agree to come. It would be a chance for us to talk and start building bridges...
Bertie and Luke are cheering at the idea of a bonfire and discussing their favourite fireworks. And as they do, Rory and I exchange a fond smile over their heads that warms my heart on this chilly autumn day.
Lois isn’t into what she calls ‘childish’ celebrations like Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night, but maybe Rory can persuade her to come. I try to ignore the little voice in my head that’s saying how lovely and relaxed it would be if it was just the boys and Gran here, and Rory and me.
I love things like this. Perhaps I’m an eternal child. But Bonfire Night, especially, takes me back to really happy times with my dad. Every year, when I was younger, we’d follow the torchlight procession through the village to the big bonfire that had been constructed through the week on Sunnybrook village green. We’d watch the organised firework display then return home for sausages and buttery baked potatoes, before toasting marshmallows on the real fire we had back then and hurrying to the window as random fireworks lit up the night sky.
‘So is that a good plan?’ Rory asks me, looking a little uncertain.
I nod happily. ‘The best I’ve heard in a long time.’
‘Great.’ He smiles broadly. ‘Okay, boys.’ He rubs his hands together. ‘We’ll build the bonfire today, using all the garden clippings and maybe some of those old wooden crates in the shed?’
‘Sounds good.’ I drain my coffee mug and pick up Rory’s and place them back on the tray. ‘I guess we’d better get busy, then.’
‘Yup. Let’s go, boys. I’m going to show you how to prune a tree, and I want all the twigs and branches over there on the bonfire. Do you think you can manage that?’
The boys nod and jump up, eager to help, and I watch the three of them going over to the shed to fetch the tools for the job. Rory turns and grins at me, and my insides do their little happy dance.
I keep having to tell myself to calm down. But my heart doesn’t seem to be paying attention. So eventually, I give up trying to be stern with myself and I decide I’m just going to enjoy the day. It’s a long time since I felt this happy and relaxed.
Around three, I drive a scary-looking swamp zombie and a skeleton over to their Hallowe’en party, then I return to help Rory in the garden. He’s mowing the back lawn when I arrive, and there’s a real nip in the air this afternoon.
‘You should probably be getting back,’ I tell him when he switches off the machine. ‘Lois will probably be all shopped out by now.’
He shakes his head. ‘They’re going to some place in Guildford for dinner later. Cocktails first, of course.’
‘Oh. Right. Lovely,’ I say, trying not to think about her hammering her credit card again.
He nods. ‘Lois will be in her element. It’s a seven-course taster menu, apparently.’
‘Oh. Perfect. She’ll be back to get all dressed up first.’
‘She will.’
‘Don’t you want to join them?’ I ask anxiously.
‘Not really. I’m enjoying being here.’ He smiles into my eyes. ‘And anyway, they’re sure to have a far better time without me there, spoiling things.’
