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It doesn’t.
Eventually, just after eight o’clock, I pull up outside my mum’s three-bed terrace, the house I grew up in. The familiarity makes me smile, despite wishing she’d let me buy her somewhere bigger like she deserves. Alas, she won’t. “I didnae have bairns so they could buy me fancy houses,” she must have said a hundred times. She did, at least, let me pay to have it extended at the back, and I had her kitchen and bathroom renovated several years ago.
As I climb out of the car, I see my mum watching me from the window. By the time I reach the front door it’s open and she’s waiting for me with open arms. “Ach, my boy!” she squeals, squeezing me until I can hardly breathe.
“Hi, Maw,” I say, hugging her back. She smells the same. Of Anaïs Anaïs perfume and home.
She pulls out of the hug but doesn’t quite release me. With her hands on my shoulders, she takes a moment to look me up and down. “Are ye eatin’ enough? Can I make ye a piece?”
“I’m fine, Maw. I come bearing gifts.”
She takes the bag containing the blue cheese from my hands, but the look of concern on her face doesn’t falter. “I’m making ye a piece. Come on through. Keith and yer sister are waitin’ on ye.”
“Aye? Rob here too?” Rob is my sister’s fiancé.
“Naw,” Mum says, following me through to the living room. “He works the evening shift at McConnel’s haulage yard these days. Said he’d stop by tomorrow before ye get off, though.”
My welcome party stands to meet me when I enter the living room.
“Keith,” I say, arms out ready to hug my stepdad.
His embrace is brief but secure. He claps my back. “Yer lookin’ a bit peely-wally there, son. Everything all right?”
“Aye. He’s right,” Lynsey, my sister agrees. “Yer no’ doing drugs are ye? ‘Cause if I’m scrolling Twitter and see your face under a TMZ headline that says your deid…”
“Get tae shite, Lynsey. Jesus Christ. I’m nae doing drugs! I’ve been driving all fucking day. I’m bloody knackered, that’s all.”
Mum returns, saving the day. “What’s all this bloody commotion?” she says, handing me a plate of sandwiches and a mug of tea. “There ye go, son. Get that inside ye.”
“Cheers, Maw.” I sit down with my food, in the same spot I always choose when I’m home. The centre cushion on the settee, where I can stretch my legs out onto the coffee table.
Keith resumes his position on the armchair, Lynsey and my mum flank me either side, and everything’s just right…
Almost.
I’m quizzed on Hollywood gossip by my sister while I eat. Keith is more interested in the places I’ve been and asks about the climates and landmarks of various countries. Truth is I don’t get to see many landmarks and tourist spots. I go to these places to work, and that’s pretty much all I have time for while I’m there.
“I’m hoping to see more of France this month, though,” I tell him. “We’re shooting in Paris when we’re done here, but first I’m attending a film festival in the south for my movie that’s coming out in September. I plan to rent a villa. Take a few days to myself first.”
“That’ll be nice,” Mum says.
It’ll be perfect. I wish I could tell her why. “You should go sometime. I can send you and Keith whenever you want. You know that. You’d love it out there.”
“Get tae. What do we need to go gallivanting round France fae at our age?”
“You’re sixty-five, Maw. You’re talking like you’re half deid.”
“Might as well be wae these knees.”
Keith grumbles in the corner. “Dinnae listen to her,” he says. “She’s just crabbit ‘cause she put on half a pound at fat club this morning.”
“Yet Marion bloody Stevens lost three after scoffin’ two slices of lemon sponge at bingo last Tuesday. Two! And Babs says she saw her getting a sausage supper from the chippy right after, too. Not that I’m bothered, mind.”
Clearly…
“You should listen to Laurie,” Lynsey butts in. “He’s minted. Buying you a holiday’s nae different than bringing you a box of chocolates. Some sun will do you and Dad the world o’ good.”
“Ach, wheesht,” Mum protests, raising a hand. I can tell though, by the side-eye she gives me, that she’s relenting. “I’ll think about it, aye.”
I nod, careful not to push her, but inside I’m thrilled. I have far too much money, more than I need. It’s a nice problem to have, of course, and I enjoy spending it on myself. But I love spending it on my family, giving back to the people who supported me when I had nothing for no other reason than they loved me.
Soon enough, Keith heads up to bed and Lynsey goes home with a promise to return tomorrow to say a proper goodbye, not knowing when we’ll meet again. It’s just me and Mum now, and I know immediately that I’m in trouble. It’s always been her eyes that give her away.
