Family For Beginners

“Well I couldn’t figure out a way to keep pressure on the wound and drive. I would have ended up with blood on the upholstery, which would have been hard to explain if I was stopped for speeding.”

Clare started to laugh. “You’re the best, Mum. I don’t tell you that enough.”

“Good, because that embarrasses me as much as tales of my sex life embarrass you.” Her mother sneezed. “Now could we go down and continue this conversation somewhere that has been vacuumed this century?”

“Sorry.” Clare stood up and brushed thick layers of dust from her jeans. “And you’re right. I really ought to have a clear out. I don’t know why I find it so hard to let go of things.”

“You were always the same. Didn’t matter whether it was toys or friends, you were never able to part with anything.”

Clare frowned. “Friends? What do you mean, friends?”

But her mother had already disappeared down the ladder.

Clare followed and closed the loft. “What did you mean about friends?”

“Wash your hands, dear, or you’ll leave dusty prints everywhere.”

There were times when her mother still made her feel about six years old.

“I’ll wash my hands and then put the kettle on.”

“And I’ll fetch the photos while you do that. I’ll drive back because there are quite a few boxes.”

“Give me five minutes and I’ll drive you.”

“I drive along the Wrynose, the Hardknott and the Kirkstone passes on a regular basis. I think I can manage to negotiate my own driveway. But thank you.”

“You’re supposed to be resting your hand!”

“The doctor said that normal movement was perfectly fine. Now stop fussing.” Her mother disappeared, leaving Clare anxious. But she was also proud.

Her parents had done everything together, but after Clare’s father had died her mother had continued to do things alone. To begin with it had been a way to honor his memory, but now it was a way of life. She’d forced herself to be independent, and in doing so had made a new life.

Clare had nothing but respect for her.

She couldn’t imagine she’d do as well if she lost Todd. She wasn’t proud of how she’d handled losing Becca.

She scrubbed the dust and smears of dirt from her hands and went downstairs to the kitchen.

Todd, Jack and Molly still weren’t back and neither was Aiden. She had no idea where Izzy or Flora were, although she knew they were unlikely to be together.

Clare decided it was the perfect time to enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with her mother, although certain topics were going to be off-limits.

She had the tea brewing and the table laid when her mother staggered through the door carrying three large boxes.

Clare was on her feet in a moment. “For goodness sake, Mum—” She grabbed the boxes and her mother flexed her wrists.

“Turns out memories weigh a lot. There are three more of these in the car. The boxes are labeled by year, and a rough list of contents.”

Clare hauled the rest of the boxes from the car and transferred them to the house.

“You sorted them?”

“Someone needed to, and it wasn’t going to be you. The ones of your father naked are in the bottom box.”

Clare froze and then saw the glint in her mother’s eye. “You’re terrible.”

“And you’re gullible. And also fun to tease.”