“At four in the afternoon? I’m not an invalid, Liza.” Kathleen took the tea from Sean with a grateful nod. “Did you just mention Matt?”
“Yes. He’s coming tomorrow. On his own, because Gillian is away this weekend on a hen do.”
“I didn’t realize this was going to be a family gathering.” Kathleen put sugar in her tea—another unhealthy habit she refused to abandon. “I don’t want a fuss. And I don’t think I’m quite up to entertaining this weekend.”
“We’re not expecting you to entertain us. We’re here to look after you, and to—” To make you see sense. Liza stopped, reluctant to have a difficult conversation so soon into the visit. She needed to ease into it—maybe after pointing out how much needed to be done in the house.
“And what? Persuade me to wear an emergency buzzer? I’m not doing it, Liza.”
“Mum—” She caught Sean’s warning glance, but ignored it. Maybe the subject was best raised right now, so that they had the whole weekend to discuss details. “This has been a shock for all of us, and it’s time to face some difficult truths. Things need to change.”
Sean rolled his eyes and turned away with a shake of his head, but her mother was nodding.
“I couldn’t agree more. Things do have to change. Being hit over the head has brought me to my senses.”
Liza felt a rush of relief. Everything was going to be fine. Her mother was going to be reasonable. Sean had been wrong to roll his eyes at her. And she wasn’t the only sensible person in the room.
“I’m pleased you feel that way,” she said. “I was worried you wouldn’t. I have lots of brochures in the car, so all we have to do now is plan. And that can wait. We have all weekend.”
“Brochures? You mean travel brochures?”
“For residential homes. We can—”
“Why would you bring those?”
“Because you can’t stay here any longer, Mum. You’ve just admitted things have to change.”
“They do. And I’m in the process of formulating a plan which I will certainly share with you when I’m sure of the details. But I won’t be going into a residential home. That isn’t what I want.”
Was her mother saying she wanted to come and live with them in London?
Liza swallowed and forced herself to ask the question. “What is it that you want?”
“Adventure.” Kathleen slapped her hand on the table. “I want another adventure. It’s summer, and you know how much I love summer. I intend to make the most of it.”
“But Mum—” Oh, this was ridiculous. “You’re going to be eighty-one at the end of this year.”
Her mother sat up a little straighter and her eyes gleamed. “All the more reason not to waste another moment.”