It was a subdued Eleanor that headed home to see her mum that evening. She knew that she couldn’t avoid the conversation that they needed to have. Or put off causing her mum pain when that was the last thing that she wanted.
‘I’ve just seen Dad,’ she announced, as soon as she found her mum in the front lounge watching the television.
Her mum straightened her back as if bracing herself for an incoming assault. ‘Well, that’s a pleasure that we’ve both had today then,’ she replied.
‘Are you okay?’ asked Eleanor, sitting down next to her.
‘Are you?’ asked her mum.
Eleanor burst into tears. ‘He thought I was like him. With the publicity about Tom, you know.’
Her mum pressed her lips together as if not wanting to speak out of turn and just held her arms out. Eleanor went straight in for the hug.
‘What happened?’ prompted her mum, still holding her tight.
‘I sent him away,’ said Eleanor, snuggling in closer.
‘It’s awful,’ she carried on. ‘It’s as if he forgets that he wasn’t at the end of a phone or here when I needed him for help or any kind of advice. Unlike you.’ She drew back to look at her mum. ‘You were always there for me.’
‘And I always will be,’ said her mum softly. ‘Do you know what? I fancy a cup of tea and a biscuit.’
They went into the kitchen and after getting the biscuit tin out, Eleanor straightened up and searched her mum’s face. ‘What about you? How are you doing after seeing Dad?’
Her mum tried to smile. ‘I felt bad for looking a mess. He always made me feel like that. And, of course, I’ve got this stupid plaster on my leg which doesn’t help. But I thought he looked older. Not so great, actually. I mean, not ill. Just…’
‘Mutton dressed as chicken,’ said Eleanor, nodding in agreement.
‘It’s not a good look, is it?’ said her mum, making a face.
Eleanor shook her head. ‘No. It’s not.’
‘I’ve been thinking about a lot of things this afternoon,’ said her mum. ‘When I get this plaster off tomorrow, I thought that perhaps things could start to change around here.’ She stared out of the window. ‘I’ve been thinking about what you said. I think you’re right, the animals deserve better than this.’
Eleanor went over to give her a hug. ‘They were so lucky to have you. As am I.’ She gave her mum a squeeze. ‘But I think Buttercup and Daisy would probably prefer some kind of field.’
Her mum turned to face her. ‘Actually, I think they should all go. Big and small.’
Eleanor was amazed. ‘All of the animals? Even the kittens? What will you do?’
Her mum smiled. ‘Have a life. And give them a better one. I think that it’s time for me to start living again.’
‘Oh Mum!’ said Eleanor, reaching forward to give her another squeeze. ‘I’m so proud of you. Look, we can start off small. The tortoise and the fish didn’t leave much of a dent when they went, did they? But let’s start with the little animals, if you like. How about the kittens? Everybody loves kittens, don’t they?’
‘I’m sure there are some families that would love a kitten,’ said her mum, nodding. ‘But they’ll all need vetting. We can’t just give them up to anyone.’
‘I know. They have to be the right families.’ Eleanor wondered if Megan could help them out with that. ‘Why don’t we have a chat with Annie, Megan and Rose tomorrow night? And Ben, too. Between us all, we must be able to think of someone.’
Her mum smiled. ‘Okay. I must say, it’ll be lovely to have a spa evening and try out some of your creams.’
Eleanor nodded, still feeling nervous. ‘I think I’ve got enough for everyone. I’ve made a rose cream as well as a lavender one. And also the infamous carrot cream. I thought Rose might like to try out the rose cream. It’s supposed to be good for mature skins.’
‘God, don’t say that to her!’ said her mum. ‘I think Rose is only thirty-two in her mind.’
As it happened, the spa evening was a huge success. Everyone approved of the creams, oohing and aahing at the feel and smell of them on their skins. Even Eleanor was happy with the results. She had already begun to use sweet almond oil instead of sunflower oil. It was a little pricey but worth it for a more luxurious feel and smell.
‘You must make some more for the fete,’ said Annie, smoothing some cream onto her hands.
‘Yes, yes,’ snapped Megan, before taking another swig of her Pimm’s. ‘We know the fete has got to be the highlight of our year.’
Annie looked chagrined. ‘Sorry,’ she said, giving them a sheepish look. ‘Have I been going on about it?’
‘Just a bit,’ conceded Eleanor eventually.
Annie blew out a sigh. ‘I just don’t know how we’re ever going to have enough stalls to keep everyone happy.’
‘Does it matter?’ prompted Eleanor gently.
‘Of course it matters!’ Annie told her. ‘This is going to be my heritage. If it starts off rubbish then I’ll get a reputation as a rubbish countess, won’t I?’
‘It’ll be fine,’ said Megan, removing the cucumber from her Pimm’s. ‘Can I put these on my eyes?’
Eleanor grimaced. ‘I’ll get you a fresh pair that aren’t covered in alcohol, shall I?’
‘The good thing is that all of your stuff is sustainable. And sustainable is the word of the moment,’ said Megan as she picked up another tub. ‘As in natural. Everything should be “free from”.’
‘That’s two words,’ said Annie.
‘Very funny,’ said Megan. ‘You know what I mean. Plants are in, big time. I really think you’ve stumbled across something here. Go natural and go big.’
‘Exactly how much have you had to drink?’ asked Eleanor, grinning.
She left her friends rummaging through what was left of the goody bags that she had picked up from the parties that she had frequented in her former life and headed into the kitchen where she found Rose and her mum in deep conversation.
‘Sorry to interrupt,’ said Eleanor. ‘I just need some more cucumber.’
‘Your creams are divine,’ said Rose, nodding her approval. ‘What a talented family you are. I was just asking your mother about her sewing skills that I’ve heard so much about.’
‘I don’t know about that,’ said her mum blushing.
‘Well, I do,’ said Rose in a firm tone of voice.
‘But you are going to help make some new curtains for Willow Tree Hall, aren’t you?’ asked Eleanor.
‘I guess it will keep me busy when all the animals start to leave.’ Her mum bit her lip, looking nervous.
‘I think you’re being terribly brave about it all,’ said Rose, reaching out to take her hand. ‘It takes a huge amount of courage to think that there might be another path to follow in life.’
‘Like my daughter here,’ said her mum, smiling at Eleanor. ‘Mind you, I don’t think I’ve ever used anything like her creams.’
‘Well, your skin is fabulous, so you probably didn’t need to,’ said Rose.
‘You didn’t used to mess around with make-up when you were young?’ asked Eleanor. ‘You weren’t that old when you had me.’
Her Mum smiled. ‘I know I let myself go after your father left. Probably even before he left.’
‘It wasn’t your fault,’ said Eleanor in a stern voice. ‘So you didn’t put on a full face of make-up every day. So what? That was no excuse for him to leave like that.’
‘Well said, sweetie,’ said Rose, nodding in approval. ‘A real man would see through all that and love the person inside. Someone like our lovely vet perhaps.’
‘Ben?’ said her Mum, hurriedly getting up from the table. ‘I don’t think he would ever think of me like that. Besides, we’re just friends.’ She quickly left the room with the excuse of filling up Annie and Megan’s glasses.
Rose looked at Eleanor and shook her head sadly. ‘She was so badly hurt by your father. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more devastated. But perhaps a little encouragement might help.’
‘Ben and Mum?’ wondered Eleanor out loud.
‘He’s been in love with your mother ever since they went to school,’ said Rose, with a sad smile.
‘No!’ said Eleanor, shocked.
‘Oh yes,’ said Rose. ‘Such a kind, patient man. Why do you think he never married? I’ll leave it to you to see what you can do. She must have been so lonely all these years. She deserves a little happiness, don’t you think?’
Eleanor was reeling from all the new information. But perhaps now that her mother’s plaster was off and she was more mobile again, there was a chance. And she was giving up the animals as well.
When her mum came back into the kitchen, Rose changed the subject to some local gossip, so Eleanor wandered back into the front room to chat with her friends.
But on the way her phone rang. She was amazed to see Lucas’s name come up on the screen.
‘Hello,’ she said, hesitating before picking up. ‘How are you?’
‘I was wondering if you felt like opening the front door actually.’
In a daze, Eleanor went to the front door and opened it. And there, to her amazement, stood Lucas.