‘Oh, Mum. What are you doing now?’ asked Dan. As he entered the kitchen, he took in the sight before him. Worried for the woman’s safety, if she carried on like this, she was going to be the death of him, never mind herself.

‘Stop fussing, Sweetie. I’m not an invalid.’

Dan despaired. His mother could be so frustrating when she wanted to be, he wished that, for once, she’d listen to his advice.

‘No, but keep going like this and you soon will be,’ he said. ‘What if you have a funny turn while you’re up there and there’s no one here to catch you?’

Seeing her part way up a step ladder, bottle of disinfectant in one hand, and a dishcloth in the other, it didn’t matter how many times he insisted she start taking things easy, his words only fell on deaf ears. No matter how many times he offered to get on with things himself, according to her the place needed a good old spring clean; a job that apparently only she could do. Yesterday, it had been the utility. Today, it seemed the kitchen cupboards warranted her attention. It was as if she needed to put on a show most of the time, pretending the cancer wasn’t taking its toll.

‘And you are sick, remember,’ he said. ‘You could easily fall.’ However, as usual she ignored him.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to understand. He knew people dealt with the prospect of death in their own way, and in their own time. As for his mother, in her refusal to slow down, she seemed to be tidying up every loose end conceivable. Including jobs like this, so that when the inevitable came Dan would only have himself to think of. However, would he really care about a speck of dust loitering at the back of a cupboard upon her death? He very much doubted it.

As he watched her, Dan wanted nothing more than to be there for his mum. Not just emotionally, but through the physical pain she was clearly doing her utmost to hide. A difficult task when she refused to even acknowledge the C word, let alone talk about its impact on her body. Some rancid tumour was eating away at her insides, for God’s sake, and as far as Dan was concerned, that was the immediate priority here, not the housework.

‘We’re going to have to talk about it at some point, Mum,’ he said. ‘You can’t stay in denial forever. There are things we need to discuss. I need to know what’s happening to you, what’s going to happen. How else am I gonna be of any help?’

Finally, she began making her way down the step ladder. As tempted as he felt, Dan resisted the urge to jump in and assist. She’d remained as independent as ever these last few weeks and hated him making a fuss.

‘I understand all that,’ she replied. ‘Just not yet. I’m not ready. Okay?’

He thought it strange how someone could accept the fact that death was looming, but at the same time failed to address its cause. He wondered where this inability to express what her body was going through came from. Did it stem from fear? Did she think an acknowledgement of what was happening to her physically would somehow speed up the dying process? Whatever her reasoning, Dan couldn’t help but feel shut out.

‘I understand you’re scared, Mum. I’m scared too.’

Her eyes seemed to beg him to let it go, leaving Dan feeling guilty for pushing her on the matter. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘I’ll shut up. But only for now.’ He stepped forward to give her a hug. ‘What are we going to do with you, eh?’

As he looked over at the kitchen table, he spotted a pile of Internet dating profiles next to his mother’s laptop. He had hoped she’d been joking when she said she’d signed him up, but his mother was clearly on a mission, determined to get him on the road to marriage one way or another.

‘What’s going on?’ he asked, suddenly noticing her passport too. Surely she wasn’t planning a holiday as well as a bit of matchmaking.

His mother followed his gaze and suddenly perked up. ‘Well you know that Bucket List I’ve been putting together?’

Considering the speed dating episode, how could he forget?

‘Yes,’ he cautiously replied.

‘Well it made me realise there are still lots of wonderful places to see. I’ve been so busy taking myself off to the likes of Australia and Africa I’ve completely ignored what’s on the doorstep.’

Dan dreaded what was coming next.

‘Such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower.’ She raced over to the table and picked up a travel guide, eager to show him the pages within.

His stomach sank. What was wrong with the woman? ‘Please tell me you’re not going to Paris?’ he said.

‘Nope,’ replied his mum.

Thank God, thought Dan. At least that was something.

She giggled with excitement. ‘I’m going to Amsterdam.’

Dan felt his shoulders slump. Thanks to the woman before him, he’d been experiencing one surprise after another as of late; none of them very nice. ‘Mum, you’re not well enough to get on a plane.’

She automatically dismissed his concern. ‘You worry too much.’

‘And you don’t worry enough.’

It seemed they’d reached a stalemate. Not that his mother even tried to see things from his point of view. He could tell by the determination written all over her face that she was heading off to Europe with, or without, his blessing.

‘Dan, I shall be absolutely fine,’ she said. ‘And I won’t be on my own either. I’ll have a travel companion.’

‘Really? And who might that be?’ Unable to condone her decision, he’d be damned if he was going to accompany her.

‘If you must know, Missy has agreed to come with me.’

‘Missy?’ said Dan. ‘And that’s supposed to make me feel better, is it?’ As bad influences went, this so-called friend of hers was turning out to be an expert.

His mum smiled, intuitive as ever. ‘Am I detecting a little jealousy here?’ she asked.

As much as he disagreed with her plan, Dan did have to admit he felt a little green -eyed. With precious little time left, he’d assumed she’d want him to experience these things with her. Not some woman that her son had never met. Plus his mother hadn’t even attempted to humour him on the travelling front; regardless of them both already knowing his answer, it would have been nice to have been asked.

‘I didn’t suggest you come with me,’ she said. ‘Because, if we’re honest, neither of us would enjoy ourselves. You’d fuss too much and insist we keep stopping for yet another rest. I’d want to keep going and we’d only end up getting annoyed with each other. I don’t have time for that, Dan. Not anymore.’

Dan knew she was right; he constantly worried about her these days. He was forever telling her to put her feet up and rest. But, to not have him in the running from the start, his mum had to see why that would hurt.

‘And if something happens to you?’ he said. ‘While I’m stuck here and you’re over there? What then?’

‘What can possibly go wrong in a few hours?’ said his mum. ‘You see that’s the great thing about this continent of ours. No matter the city, I can be there and back in the same day.’

‘And you’re allowed to travel, are you?’

‘Well I won’t tell if you won’t.’

Frustrated, Dan hated it when his mother had an answer for everything. He also realised there was no point in arguing. His mum had always been the same. Once she’d made up her mind over anything that was usually it. As for her trip, she’d clearly thought everything through. He’d just have to resign himself to the fact that she was never going to change. She’d probably be coming up with these balmy ideas of hers right up until her last breath.

‘In that case,’ he said. Seizing the opportunity, he took the dish cloth and disinfectant out of her hands. ‘You can’t have both. It’s either Amsterdam or the cleaning. Your choice?’

She reached up and gently placed her right palm on his cheek. ‘I do love you, you know.’

‘I know,’ he replied. ‘And I love you too.’

A lump suddenly formed in his throat, Dan struggled to keep his tears at bay. Like she kept telling him, these next few months were about her enjoying the time she had left, not mourning any loss. He had to stay strong and, although she didn’t always make it easy, allow his mum to do things her way. Dan put his arms around her and kissed her forehead. Then he let out a long lamenting sigh before pulling back again. ‘Now sit down,’ he said, painting a smile on his face. ‘And let me get you a drink.’

His mum took a seat. ‘Speaking of Missy,’ she said.

Dan closed his eyes. Talk about a woman pushing her luck. ‘Whatever it is you’re about to say,’ he said. ‘The answer is still no.’

‘But why, Dan? I wouldn’t keep pushing if I didn’t think Maeve was right for you. I don’t understand what the problem is.’

Admittedly, Dan struggled to understand his reasons too. Until recently, his point blank refusal to meet Maeve had been because he hadn’t wanted his mum organising his love life. Not anymore though, now it felt more complicated. Agreeing to a date simply because his mother was dying didn’t just feel wrong it felt unfair—on Maeve as much as himself. The pressure on both of them to like each other would be unbearable. And, if it turned out there was some sort of spark, they’d only be going into a relationship for all the wrong reasons.

‘Look, whatever it is, you know you can tell me,’ said his mum. ‘I just want you to be happy.’

‘Happy with Maeve, you mean.’

She let out a laugh. ‘Unless you have someone else in mind?’

Dan scoffed. The chance would be a fine thing. The only other woman he’d had any contact with lately was Annabel and, thanks to her issues, she seemed more unsuitable than his mother’s friend’s daughter. He couldn’t deny they’d shared a connection, but she was still too wrapped up in her deceased husband for them to be anything more than just friends. Something, in an odd sort of way, he’d like to think they’d become over the last few weeks.

He thought back to the kindness she’d shown him when he’d first found out his mum was sick. Considering what she’d been through, it must have been difficult for her; yet, she still took the time to listen. Friends, he thought to himself, unable to completely deny his sense of disappointment. Just two friends supporting each other and in the most bizarre way possible. He pondered their arrangement. Sometimes it felt like total madness, but, in spite of that, he supposed they both had their reasons.

He looked at his mum, flicking through her travel guide. Dan thought about his own childhood, with all the love, care, and fun she’d provided over the years, he knew she’d make a fabulous grandparent. And, for a moment, he felt tempted to tell her what he and Annabel were up to. He quickly realised he couldn’t, of course. He’d promised Annabel he’d keep schtum until absolutely necessary. Just like he’d promised his mum he’d find himself a wife. He sighed at the weight of his predicament and wondered where to go from here. Despite his reservations, he couldn’t help but think that Maeve had been the answer all along. In giving things with her a chance, at least he’d be able to keep his word when it came to the other two.

As if feeling his stare, his mum looked up. ‘What?’ she asked.

‘Alright, alright,’ he said. ‘Give Missy a call.’

‘Really?’ said his mother.

The look on her face was priceless.

‘Really,’ said Dan.

He watched her jump up from her seat and race towards him. She planted a great, big kiss on his cheek and then rushed to the phone, no doubt, to schedule a meeting before he could change his mind. He shook his head. Anyone would think Christmas had come early. He certainly seemed to have just given her the best present possible and, regardless of still feeling unsure on the Maeve front, he had to confess her response was worth it.

He left the room to get his coat after deciding to leave his mum to it. She was bound to completely embarrass him in one way or another and, as she could read him like a book, he didn’t want her knowing that he wasn’t going into this one hundred percent. Besides, there was something he wanted to do. Something he’d been meaning to do for days.

When Dan reappeared he signaled to his mother that he was going out, but she was already too deep in animated conversation to notice. He listened for a moment. Judging by the squeals on the other end of the phone line, it was clear she wasn’t the only one getting all worked up. Her friend sounded equally as thrilled.

He wondered what Maeve would say when she found out that he’d agreed to meet her. If she’d feel just as daunted by this as he did? She might even flat out refuse to see him and who could blame her? The girl had to have the same concerns as him.

Dan continued to take in his mother’s delight; he just had to hope that come any date, the two of them actually liked each other. After all, with both his mum and Missy involved in proceedings, this would be a bugger to get out of if they didn’t.