A Cheat and a Liar, page 67
The third excuse to visit was that little bit of news that thrills every grandmother, and both Sylvia and James were sure it would excite mother Ruth and improve or they were ever hopeful that it would turn around the health of father George as well. The news was, of course, to inform them that a first grandchild would be with them later in the year!
‘Oh, darling’ was all that Ruth could say to her daughter through a flood of tears, which immediately, on hearing the news, started streaming down her cheeks. They embraced for a long while, and then as they parted, Ruth took her handkerchief to wipe her face. She then held her arms out and hugged James. ‘What wonderful news. Oh, I wonder what it will be—I don’t care. A healthy grandchild will be just lovely. Oh, George, what do you think?’
On hearing of the scheduled arrival, George had slowly stood up. He was smiling. James had walked over to him, and the two men had firmly shaken hands. Then, as Ruth had moved to embrace her son-in-law, Sylvia had gone to her father, put her arms around him, and as they went to part, she had reached up and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Well done, love. You will be a lovely mother, and baby will keep your mother and me happy—very happy,’ he said.
‘Oh,’ said Ruth as she broke away from her embrace with James. ‘Oh, how wonderful. I wonder what you will have. I don’t care. A baby. I remember how excited I was when I learnt I was having you, my darling little Kathleen—oh, sorry, Sylvia. If baby is as nice as you were, love, it will be wonderful. Oh, a new baby. How exciting! Best I get knitting. Oh, I better see if I still have a pattern or two. Oh, oh. Now, what was I doing? Ah, yes, cups. Yes, cups. Best I get the good ones out for this. Kettle, oh! I haven’t even got the kettle full of water. Oh, I can’t even think straight. Oh, love, how many weeks do you think you are? When will that mean baby is here?’
‘November,’ Sylvia replied.
‘Have you got some names sorted? No, you won’t have any yet. Oh, don’t call it Ruth. Think of something really nice; but I suppose you must see what it is first.’
She was in a real state, and Ruth laughed at her own ramblings but finally gathered herself together and made drinks for everyone. She went to sit down. ‘Oh, something to eat. Oh, I made some cookies yesterday. Oh, how silly.’ With that, she took a plate from the cupboard and placed a dozen or so cookies on it. Mother and daughter sipped and chatted about babies, while George asked his son-in-law how civilian life was now suiting him, and James asked of his father-in-law’s health, and, altogether, it had become a happy and exciting day.
The rest of that day, Good Friday, was spent discussing prams and cribs and clothes and every other requirement for a parent—or grandparent to purchase before a first baby arrived. George, earlier in the week, had said to Ruth how he really would like to go to church come Good Friday. He had not been well enough to attend for the last three months or so. In fact, he had not been in the pulpit for over twelve months. When he knew his daughter and son-in-law were arriving, he decided he would stay home but would try and make a real effort to be at church on Sunday. Perhaps it was the news his daughter had brought with her, but George had definitely perked up and said he was feeling better.
George did say he was feeling well enough to go to church, so the four of them agreed to attend the morning service, and attend they did; George enjoyed the attention he received from well-wishers who had not seen him for quite some time, and many in the congregation seemed surprised but delighted to see Sylvia back in town also.
Brother Douglas, meanwhile, had been conspicuous by his absence. His mother explained that he was ‘inclined to be ‘a little itinerant’, and although he had one or two part-time jobs, he seemed to prefer to stay with his friends and, like some his age, only visit his parents when he wanted a good meal or needed something—like money.
All in all, it was a great weekend for the whole family, and they made tentative plans to visit each other during the next few months prior to baby’s arrival. The only arrangement that was intended to be definite was that Ruth and George would arrive at their daughter’s home about a week or so before she thought baby would arrive.
As it happened, summer came and went, and as autumn seemed to be arriving earlier than expected, the days became colder. George’s health again limited him from enjoying too many days outside. He had explained to Douglas that unless he improved, he would not travel with Ruth down to Sylvia and James’s home as previously arranged. Ruth asked Douglas to promise he would stay at home with his father while she was away. ‘We don’t expect you to be home during the day,’ she told him, ‘but please come home for supper. Your father will prepare the meal, but if he needs anything, it would be nice if you get it for him and perhaps bring it the next evening. It could be medicine; it could be food; it would just be nice if you were here. He is not well, so please, Douglas.’ She almost pleaded, and her son agreed.
With the excitement of the impending birth, the year seemed to pass quickly. It was soon late August, and Ruth had her trunk packed and was about to depart Bucoda. Douglas had been reminded, he had agreed to stay at the family home, and the night before his mother was due to travel, he arrived in an old borrowed car. He looked untidy, unshaven, and unwashed, and his father immediately commented to his son that he should tidy himself. Ruth took George aside. ‘Let it be,’ she said. ‘At least he has remembered and is here. If we upset him now, he might disappear, and you will be left to fend for yourself.’ George said nothing, but Ruth knew there would be words between father and son once she had left the house.
Douglas then took his mother to the train station in the borrowed car. ‘Do look after your father,’ she pleaded. ‘I don’t expect you to be a saint, but please, just for me, please look after your dad while I am away. I know you two don’t always see eye to eye, but please tolerate him just while I am away. Because he forgets, please ask him each morning if he has taken his medication, and please check that he has sufficient to last until I get home. If he looks like he might run out, please get him some more.’ Douglas carried her trunk from the car and waved to his mother as she made her way onto the train.
Son-in-law James was there on arrival to meet her when she arrived. He kissed his mother-in-law on the cheek, collected her trunk, and she held his arm as they made their way along the platform out to his car. ‘How’s my little daughter and my grandchild?’ asked Ruth once they were both in the car.
‘Well,’ he replied, ‘“Little” doesn’t describe your daughter anymore, but she is very well. Doctor and others that she has seen have all complimented her on her health, and baby’s condition as well. She looks very good.’
‘Wonderful,’ Ruth replied. ‘I can’t wait to see her. The next week or two are going to be the best of my life, I am sure.’
James asked after George and asked if Douglas had remembered to arrive at their home as company for his father. ‘He did,’ she replied. ‘He looked like he hadn’t shaved or washed for a month, but George wouldn’t let me say too much, for fear he might drive off and not stay.’
‘Was he by himself?’ asked James.
‘Yes. Yes. It could have been worse—he could have brought a few of his mates home. George would have died.’
‘No, I thought he might have had some female company with him,’ James said.
‘Oh, no. I don’t think he would have tried that. George would never tolerate anything like that outside marriage. No, I am sure Douglas has girlfriends from time to time but doubt he would introduce them to us very quickly. I tidy his room up at home after he has been. His room has two beds, but, no, he would have told me to make up the bed in the spare room if he had been bringing a girl home.’
James said nothing more. He smiled to himself and was thinking, If that guy had brought a girl home, they would not have even needed the spare bed in Douglas’s room. Mother-in-law, you would not believe! He reminded himself to relate the conversation to Sylvia when they were alone that night. That will make her giggle, for sure, he thought.
Then they were home. Sylvia met her mother at the front door. They stood wrapped together with hugs and kisses in the doorway until James arrived with Ruth’s trunk and asked them to stand aside so he was not left outside with a heavy trunk.
Everyone moved. Sylvia took her mother’s coat and hung it up, and James put her trunk beside her bed. Sylvia asked after her father, and there was then a ten-minute conversation on how her brother looked. Then a hot drink and cakes. ‘Look. I’ve even been baking for you, Mom. Aren’t you spoilt?’
The welcome over, the gossip shared, and then it was time for supper, more baby discussions, and then bed.
It was a lovely week. James went to work each morning. ‘If it seems like Junior has it’s bag packed anytime during the day, call me. You have the number. Gather your things, and I will be at the front door with the car.’ James was assuming baby was going to choose a daytime arrival, but everything was organised for a drive in the dark also if that was meant to be, and just as well.
Two nights later, everyone had supper except Sylvia. ‘Oh, I don’t feel like sitting up to eat,’ she said to her mother. ‘Did you feel like that when I was about to arrive?’
‘No,’ Ruth replied, ‘but I really think the onset of a birth is probably different on every occasion.’
While the other three quickly ate their supper, Sylvia reclined on the couch. As soon as James had finished, he stood up and asked his wife if she was ready to go. ‘Oh, I don’t know’ was her reply. ‘I just wish it was over.’
‘Come on, then. We will go. I think it’s best if we get you there a bit early, rather than us be racing in traffic because baby is on the move.’
‘What do you think, Mom?’ she asked.
‘Oh, I am sure they will not turn you away. They know you are going to be there sometime soon. Yes, I think it a wise decision. There is not too much traffic to possibly delay you, and at least you will be in the best place.’
‘I will stay with you, if they allow, until it is all over. If the hospital decides you are still days away, then we will come home.’
It was decided, and not immediately, but around 6.00 a.m. the following day, Sylvia produced a beautiful healthy baby girl. James had stayed all night beside Sylvia’s bed but had rung an hour or so after their arrival to tell Ruth what was happening and to apologise for leaving her by herself.
Then the big phone call home to Ruth soon after the event. ‘I will be home shortly to tell you all about it, Granny.’
‘Give my two girls a kiss, and when you get home, I will ring George. I am sure this will brighten him up. He will be delighted.’
James arrived, and he and Ruth hugged briefly. They had a light breakfast, and he then said he would ring his parents and let them know also. He hadn’t spoken to them for two days, but they will guess it’s me when their phone rings this early.
He was laughing as he made the call. When he returned to the living room, Ruth asked if she could ring George. ‘Of course, of course,’ he replied, and with that, Ruth made the call. George sounded grumpy when he answered.
‘Oh, what’s wrong, love? It’s me,’ she said in a rather subdued voice.
‘Oh, oh, no. No problem. I just thought it was another of those damn friends of Douglas. They ring up, it seems, at any odd time of the day or night. I thought it was another of them. Now. What’s the matter? Are you all right? What’s happening?’
Ruth was wishing her husband would just shut up and let her speak. He started again. ‘Are you all right?’
There was a pause, so she quickly spoke before he could start talking again. ‘Love, Kathleen—umm, Sylvia had a little girl an hour or so ago, so you are a grandfather at last.’ There was silence. ‘Are you still there?’
‘Yes, yes, oh, that’s lovely. When are you coming home?’
Ruth didn’t know what to say. ‘Love, I will be home in a day or two. Are you OK until then?’
‘Yes, I’m all right.’
‘You don’t sound that excited. I think it is wonderful,’ she said in a quiet voice.
‘Oh, sorry. Yes, give them all my love. I wish I was there with you. We should have locked our house and gone down there together.’
‘You will be fine, love. I will ring you again tonight when I know what’s happening. OK?’
‘Yes, yes, OK. A girl, you said. Oh, that’s nice. Hope she grows up like her mother and grandmother. Damn boys. OK. Goodbye.’
With that, Ruth was left with the telephone receiver in her hand, and George had gone. She was disappointed but understood how Douglas may have kept his father awake, especially if he was receiving calls from his friends during the night.
She returned to the kitchen, where James had put together a light breakfast. ‘Thank you, James. I have just been talking to George. Douglas is staying with him, as you know. I don’t think George heard half I told him; but he did say to congratulate you both. He will be fine once I go back, but if you don’t mind, I would like to stay until a day or two after Sylvia gets home; just so I can help her get herself and baby into a bit of a routine.’
‘You just stay as long as you wish,’ he replied. ‘We both appreciate every bit of help you are able to give; after all, you are the only person who can speak from experience.’ They laughed, and then Ruth said she would tidy the house if he would like to catch up on some of the sleep he had missed over the last twenty-four hours.
He did sleep, and she did stay. Each afternoon, James called back at his house to collect his mother-in-law, and they both would visit Sylvia and baby for as long as they were allowed and he could afford, and then each evening, after Ruth had made supper, James went and visited his wife.
Then it was the long-awaited homecoming. James collected mother and baby, and they were home at about eleven o’clock. There was great excitement. James returned to work and let the ladies make plans and routines for the new person in their lives. Ruth gave advice, and Sylvia added a little of what had been suggested by nurses, and by the time Grandma Ruth reluctantly conceded, she ‘can’t stay here forever’, Sylvia had pretty much everything under control. Baby was sleeping and drinking well; everybody was happy, although Ruth would have been happier if she had not had to leave.
Grandmother and mother kissed each other goodbye, and father took grandmother to the train station, and grandmother was on her way home. She was sad knowing she would not see the little one again for a while, but depending on George’s health, who knew. He may be able to travel, or maybe the family could come home for Christmas. Her thoughts continued on and on and over and over, and before she realised, she was home.
There were two taxis at the station, and as Ruth approached the first, the driver got out and took her trunk. ‘Hello, Mrs Morris, been away?’
‘Hello, Frank,’ she replied. ‘Oh, yes, our daughter Sylvia, you know, has just had her first child.’
‘Oh, congratulations. I will tell my wife. What did she have?’
‘A darling little girl’ was the reply.
‘Lovely. Oh, my wife often comments about your daughter: Sylvia, isn’t it?’
‘Yes,’ Ruth replied.
‘She often tells people Sylvia made the prettiest bride she could ever remember. Yes, she will be happy for her.’
‘Oh, that’s very nice of you, Frank. That’s a very sweet thing that your wife said about my daughter.’ By then, they were outside Ruth’s home. She paid Frank, picked up her luggage, and walked through the gate. Then she was at the front door; then she was inside.
George had heard the car, and by the time the door opened, he was standing in front of his chair, ready to welcome her. ‘Hello, love. Good train journey?’ and then they kissed and smiled.
‘Oh, it was lovely being with Sylvia and James, but there is always something really nice about coming home.’
‘How are you feeling? How have you been?’ she asked him.
‘Oh, I think I would have been happier had I just been by myself—without our son.’
‘Never mind,’ she replied. ‘We won’t say anything. Now I am home, he will probably go fairly quickly. Did he have any friends around?’
‘No,’ he replied. ‘Not unless they were up and gone before I awoke.’
Ruth went into their bedroom and took off her coat and then put her trunk on the bed, opened it, and started putting some items in her closet and others on the floor to take and wash.
George was obviously feeling better than when she left, as he had made them both a drink while she was unpacking. Before she sat down with him, she walked into the spare room where Douglas had been sleeping. The tang of an unwashed body and smoke that lingers after a dozen or more cigarettes are smoked, hung in the air. The drapes had not been separated, she guessed for a week, nor a window opened. She leant over the bed to unlatch the window and pulled back the window coverings and then turned and picked up the ashtray with at least twenty butts and an empty whisky bottle, and as she left the room, she closed the door, so the rest of the house remained reasonably fresh.
George was sitting in his favourite chair, and once Ruth had rid herself of the leftovers of butts and booze, she sat down. She was not going to mention their son. ‘How have you been, love?’ she asked. ‘You look improved. Are you feeling better? Have you been eating and ensuring you are regularly taking your medication?’
