Mother’s Ruin (30 page)
Andrew kept at it, and by the time another week had passed, he had begun to catch up on his work. He’d spoken to Ruth on the telephone again, and then Sally, inviting her to Scotland to meet his family when Angel and Tommy broke up from school.
It hadn’t been easy to arrange, Sally saying she couldn’t leave her gran, but then he’d spoken to Ruth again and she’d agreed to take a week’s holiday from work to look after Sadie. A date had been set for the first week in August, less than a month away, and he couldn’t wait. And it seemed his parents couldn’t either. When he’d told them they were thrilled.
Andrew flexed his arms, and stretched his back, feeling the stiffness easing. He’d had a lot to do since returning to Scotland and could do with a break, but then his secretary put another call through.
‘Dad, it’s a boy!’ Donald cried.
Andrew could hear the excitement in his son’s voice and grinned. ‘That’s wonderful, and is Maureen all right?’
‘Yes, she’s fine.’
‘I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
Andrew shouted a hurried explanation to his secretary before running out of the office. The hospital wasn’t far away and he was soon in the maternity ward, staring down at a bonny, bouncing boy who had weighed in at nearly eight pounds.
His eyes grew moist as he looked at his new grandson. He had a shock of red hair, a screwed-up little face, and both parents were bubbling with happiness. ‘Well, son, what are you calling him?’
‘He’s to be Andrew Duncan Munro, after you and Grandfather.’
‘Thank you,’ Andrew choked, his voice thick with emotion. ‘Well, Dad, there’s nothing to keep you here now. Your grandson finally decided to come into the world, and as you can see, he’s a healthy wee lad.’
‘What do you mean?’
Maureen smiled gently. ‘Every time you’ve been to us for dinner, you have talked non-stop about Ruth.’
‘Have I? I wasn’t aware of it.’
‘You’ve told us that she’s a fine woman, warm and caring, not to mention attractive.’
‘So what are you waiting for?’ Donald asked.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Dad, I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone, rattling round in that great empty house. We can tell you’re fond of Ruth, maybe more than fond. If she feels the same about you, why don’t you marry her?’
‘Marry her! Oh son, I don’t know about that.’
‘Don’t let your marriage to Mum ruin the rest of your life. You deserve a bit of happiness.’
Yes, Andrew thought, he was fond of Ruth, but shook his head at the thought of marriage. ‘It’s too soon, and we hardly know each other.’
‘Then go back to London and get to know her better.’
‘I can’t do that. I still have work to do, and anyway, Sally will be coming to Scotland with Angel and Tommy soon.’
‘Yes, Sally, Angel and Tommy, but what about Ruth? She must feel left out.’
‘She has to stay behind to look after her mother, but maybe I’ll invite her at a later date.’
Donald laid a hand on his arm. ‘Dad, you have a way of letting things slide, of burying yourself in work. If you leave it too long, Ruth will think you aren’t interested, and if she’s as attractive as you’ve told us, you could lose her to someone else.’
‘Donald’s right,’ Maureen said. ‘Work can wait. Your heart can’t.’
Andrew gazed at his grandson, a fine sturdy lad who would grow up in clean, fresh air. He thought about Angel, his lovely little granddaughter, living in totally different conditions, and it was then that he made up his mind. If he married Ruth it could solve all of their problems, and surely fondness was something to build on? ‘Yes, you’re right. I’ll go back to London tomorrow.’
‘And will you ask Ruth to marry you?’ Donald asked.
‘I think so, but she may say no.’
‘I doubt it, Dad, but you won’t know unless you ask.’
Andrew bent down to plant a kiss on his grandson’s head. ‘Have you spoken to your grandparents?’
‘Yes, after ringing you. They’re as pleased as punch to have a great-grandson, and don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on them whilst you’re away.’
‘Thanks son, and now that you’ve both sorted out my life, I’d best be off. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
Andrew hugged both happy parents, and then almost ran from the hospital. It was already four o’clock, but with any luck, he’d be in London by tomorrow evening.
On Friday evening, Ruth’s face was a picture when she opened the door. ‘Andrew!’
‘Aren’t you going to invite me in?’
‘Yes, of course, but why didn’t you let us know you were coming?’
‘It was a last minute decision and I thought I’d surprise you.’
Andrew found his heart thumping. Now that he was face to face with Ruth again, he began to recognise his feelings. Yet surely it was too soon to know? She smiled at him and his stomach flipped. There was no denying it. He wasn’t just fond of her – he loved her, and prayed she felt the same.
‘Dad!’ Sally cried, as he walked into the kitchen. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’ve come to see you of course, but first I want to speak to your mother. Ruth, will you come out to dinner?’
‘But you’ve only just arrived.’
‘I know, but I have something important I want to talk to you about, and it can’t wait.’
‘Is something wrong?’ she asked worriedly.
‘No, nothing at all,’ he said, smiling softly.
‘Oh, Dad, Angel’s going to be thrilled to see you,’ Sally cried. ‘She hasn’t stopped talking about you since you left and is so looking forward to our holiday. We didn’t expect to see you before then. How long are you staying?’
‘I’m not sure, but I hope Denis can put me up again.’
Ruth frowned. ‘You’d be better off on our sofa. As I told you on the telephone, Denis is drinking heavily and rolls home at all hours. Nine times out of ten, Tommy sleeps here, and that suits me fine.’
Andrew fought to control his annoyance. There’d be enough time later to sort Denis out, but for now he had other things on his mind. ‘Well, Ruth,’ he said, ‘will you come out to dinner?’
‘Yes, but give me five minutes to get ready.’
‘You look fine as you are.’
‘At least let me put a bit of powder and lipstick on.’
Ruth was digging in her handbag for her compact, whilst Andrew turned to Sally. ‘My daughter-in-law just gave birth to a bonny wee boy.’
As comprehension dawned, Sally’s face filled with light. ‘That means I’m an auntie.’
‘Yes, it does, lassie, and your new nephew has red hair too.’
‘I can’t wait to see him.’
‘I’m ready,’ Ruth said, fluffing her hair as she looked in the mirror.
Andrew kissed Sally’s cheek, saying goodbye to her and Sadie, but as he led Ruth outside, he found his stomach fluttering with nerves. It wouldn’t take long to reach the restaurant, and he was desperately trying to rehearse his words.
They sat at a small table by the window, and as he took the menu, Andrew found his palms sweating.
‘Are you all right?’ Ruth asked.
‘Yes, I’m fine. Now what shall we have to eat?’
They gave their order, and as the waiter walked away, Andrew gazed at Ruth. Should he ask her now, or perhaps wait until the final course? She was gazing back at him. Was that affection he saw in her eyes?
Nerves held him back. For so many years his late wife had rejected him, scorned his affection, and he dreaded facing that again. Was he ready to risk marriage again? He toyed with his napkin, remembering how lonely he had felt in Scotland, and berated himself. Of course he was ready, but later, he’d ask her later.
‘You’re quiet, Andrew. Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?’
He grasped for something to say. ‘Sally has Tommy to look after while you’re at work now, as well as her grandmother. How is she coping?’
‘Oh my God!’ Ruth cried. ‘So that’s why you came rushing back again. You’re worried about Sally and want to tell me I’m a selfish mother again?’
‘No, of course not. I understand that you have to work, but I think I have the perfect solution. You see—’
Ruth cut in, hand up, her palm facing him. ‘If you’ve travelled all the way from Scotland to offer me money again, you’ve wasted your time.’
‘That wasn’t what I had in mind. Please, Ruth, let me finish,’ Andrew urged. ‘I know you’re to be re-housed soon, but I think I have a better suggestion. You see I have a large house in Scotland, left to me by my grandparents. It has six bedrooms and a small annexe. There’s room enough for all of us, Tommy too if his father will agree. You could give up work to care for your mother, and Sally could live in the annexe with Angel.’
‘What! You want us to move to Scotland?’ Ruth stared at him in shock, but then her eyes narrowed. ‘What are you asking of me, Andrew? Am I to be your servant? Or perhaps your kept woman?’
‘No, no! For goodness’ sake, what do you take me for? Oh, hell, I’ve made a mess of this. What I’m trying to do is ask you to marry me.’
‘Ma . . . marry you?’
‘Yes and as soon as possible. It would solve all our problems. I can’t bear the thought of being so far away from you all, but I have to live in Scotland. As I said, you’re due to be re-housed, and Sally has no home of her own. Can’t you see it’s the most sensible solution?’
Andrew watched the range of emotions that ran across Ruth’s face. When he’d proposed he thought he saw joy, but now he saw doubt, consternation, and then worry.
‘It isn’t that simple, Andrew. I’m not sure that either Sally, or my mother, would agree to move to Scotland.’
‘Why not? I live in a beautiful area with clean, fresh air, and plenty of space for Angel and Tommy to run around. Surely that’s better than the grim, dirty streets they play in now?’
‘When you put it like that it sounds wonderful, but my mother is a born and bred Londoner and would never leave.’
‘Ruth, it’s you I’m asking to marry, not your mother. If your answer is yes and she wants to continue to live with you, she’ll have to agree.’
‘Andrew, I know you see my mother as a difficult woman, but before her stroke she was a different person. Now though she’s in bad health and such a big move might be too much for her.’
‘Wouldn’t Scotland be better for her than the possibility of being stuck in a council tower block?’
For a moment she stared at him, doubtfully, and as he reached out to grip her hand Andrew pleaded, ‘Ruth, I’m comfortably off, so much so that I can support you all. Please say yes.’
She pulled her hand from his grasp. ‘You haven’t mentioned one very important thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘You’ve asked me to marry you, and have pointed out how sensible it would be, but . . . I need more than that.’
Andrew gazed at her, saw her eyes lower, and then the penny dropped. He was a complete and utter fool. He’d forgotten the most important thing of all. ‘Ruth, finding you again seems like a miracle to me, and though we’ve only just got to know each other again, I can’t deny my feelings. I love you. In fact I don’t think I ever stopped loving you. Please say you’ll marry me.’
She smiled at him now, joy in her eyes, ‘Oh, Andrew, I love you too . . . and . . . and my answer is yes.’
Andrew grinned with delight, but then his face sobered as Ruth said, ‘I still don’t think my mother, or Sally, will move to Scotland.’
‘Well, darling, there’s only one way to find out. As soon as we’ve finished our meal we’ll go and ask them. Don’t worry, I can be very persuasive.’
‘I hope so,’ she said, relaxing a little, and for the next hour they excitedly discussed their wedding plans.
When her parents arrived home, Sally saw they were holding hands, but her breath caught in her throat when her father announced they were getting married. With hardly time to take it in, her mother then told them that they could all move to Scotland.
‘Are you bleedin’ mad!’ Sadie spluttered. ‘Scotland! I ain’t living in Scotland.’
Andrew crouched down by Sadie’s chair, speaking gently. ‘Please, don’t just dismiss it out of hand. I have a large house, in a lovely area, and Ruth will be able to give up work to look after you.’
‘I don’t need looking after and I’m sick of saying that. You go, Ruth, but I’m staying here.’
‘Sally,’ Andrew said, moving from Sadie’s side, ‘what about you? Would you like to live in Scotland?’
‘I . . . I don’t know. It’s all a bit sudden, but if my gran won’t go, then I can’t leave her.’
‘Lassie, I’ve only just found you, and I hate us being so far apart. When I travel back to Scotland I’d like you all to come with me.’
‘When are you leaving?’
‘As soon as possible.’
‘And when are you and Mum getting married?’
‘I’ve told your mother that I’d like my family in Scotland to be at our wedding, and she’s agreed to be married in Edinburgh. We haven’t set a date yet, but hopefully soon.’
Sally’s mind was reeling. She was pleased that her parents were getting married, but moving to Scotland? A holiday, yes, but this was something else.
‘You go, Sally, but I’m staying put.’
It was no good – with Sadie still protesting loudly Sally couldn’t get her thoughts into order. ‘Mum, Dad, I’m going to bed. We . . . we can talk about this again in the morning.’
Andrew placed an arm around her shoulder. ‘Goodnight, my bonny lass. I’m sorry to spring this on you so suddenly, you too Sadie, but if you both decide to come, I promise you’ll be happy in Scotland.’
Sally nodded, and after saying goodnight she made her way upstairs. If her gran wouldn’t go, there was no way she could leave her, but with the flat in her mother’s name, would the council re-house them?
* * *
Saturday morning dawned clear and sunny, but as Sally awoke, her eyes felt sticky. She rubbed at them impatiently, and seeing that Angel was asleep she crept downstairs. ‘Gran, you’re up early. It’s only six o’clock. Are you all right?’
‘I’m fine, but I didn’t sleep well.’
‘I thought Dad might stay here last night, but he must have gone next door.’
‘Yeah, he wanted a word with Denis.’ Sadie shifted in her chair, then said, ‘Sally, how do you feel about moving to Scotland?’
‘I don’t know, but I wouldn’t go without you.’
‘I tossed and turned all night, weighing things up, and then I came to a decision I didn’t expect to make.’