Heading Towards a New Life — “Mum, how much longer are we going to be stuck in this backwater? It’…

Towards a New Life

Mum, how much longer do we have to be stuck in this backwater? Honestly, were not even in a proper townwere in the outskirts of the outskirts, whined Molly as she walked back in from the local café.

Ive told you a hundred times, Molly: this is our home, where we belong. Im not going anywhere, her mum replied, lying on the sofa with her tired feet propped up on a cushiona pose she always called Churchill the Gymnast.

Oh, here we go again: roots, roots, always about our roots! Mum, in ten years youll have wilted leaves, and then yet another kitchen beetle will show up who youll introduce as my new stepdad.

Stung by her daughters words, her mum heaved herself up and peered into the wardrobe mirror. Whats wrong with my leaves? I think I look fine

Thats what Im saying; youre fine now, but give it a few years and youll have to choose if you want to be a turnip, a pumpkin, or maybe a sweet potatowhichever you fancy in the kitchen these days.

Molly, if youre so desperate, go ahead and move on your own. Youre old enough now, as far as the laws concerned. Why do you need me?

Mum, because Id feel guilty! If I run off for the high life, whos going to look out for you here?

My insurance policy, steady income, Wi-Fi, and, as you said, theres always some bloke about. Moving is easy for youyoure young, switched on, you get modern life, and teenagers don’t drive you mad. I, on the other hand, am halfway to Elysium.

See, you joke just like my mates do. And youre only fortyhardly ancient!

Thats just what I needed to hear today, thanks

If you were a cat, thatd only be five! Molly quickly added.

Forgiven.

Mum. Lets go, before its too late. Lets hop on a train and start fresh. Theres nothing here to keep us.

Just last month I finally got them to spell our surname right on the gas bill, and besides, were signed up at the local surgery, her mum countered with her final arguments.

Any surgery will take you with the right policy, and theres no need to sell the house straight awaygives us something to come back to if things dont work out. Let me show you the bright lights, teach you how proper livings done.

My GP always said at the first scan, Shell never give you any peace. I thought he was joking. That same GP won bronze on Britains Psychic Challenge, you know. Oh, fine, well go, but you have to promise not to throw a fit if it all goes pear-shaped and I want to come back.

On my honour!

Your father promised me the same thing at the registry officeand youve got the same blood group.

***

Molly and her mum didnt waste time with some middling townthey aimed straight for London. They cleared out three years worth of savings and took a studio flat wedged between a local market and the bus depot, paying four months rent upfront. Their cash was pretty much gone before theyd even bought curtains.

Yet Molly was spirited, her energy undimmed. Without bothering with unpacking or making the place cosy, she dove into city lifesoaking up its creative, social, and nocturnal sides. Molly fit right in, making friends everywhere, learning the hotspots, speaking and dressing like she was born and bred in Islington rather than back of beyond.

Her mum, meanwhile, lived between her morning calming teas and the night cap of sleeping pills. On day one, despite Molly urging her out for a stroll, she started trawling for jobs. London seemed full of jobs and wages that never quite matched and every offer felt like there must be a catch. After a quick calculation, she decided: six months, tops, and well be back.

She ignored her daughters eye-rolling and went the tried-and-true way: landed a job as a cook at a private school, and by evening, she was washing dishes at a café down the road.

Mum, youre back at the stove all day again! Its like you never left home. Youll never see what the city has to offer. Why not retrain? Do design, or wine, or, I dunno, eyebrows? Ride the tube, drink real coffee, fit in.

Molly, Im not ready to start over at school. Just let me be. Ill manage in my own way. You need to focus on yourself, find your feet.

While Molly bemoaned her mums inability to be forward-thinking, she got busy fitting in herselflounging in coffee shops where friendly guys paid for her, building up her city energy just as a lifestyle coach blogged about, joining groups where everyone talked about money and success. A real job or relationship could waitfirst, she and London had to get used to each other.

Four months in, her mum paid rent from her own wages, quit dishwashing, and took an extra cooking gig at another school branch. Molly, in the meantime, tried and ditched a few courses, went for a radio audition, ended up as an extra on a student film (paid in tins of baked beans and pasta), and had a brief fling with two musiciansone who was a total donkey and one a father of four cats unwilling to settle down.

***

Mum, you fancy doing anything tonight? Shall we order pizza and watch a film? Im absolutely knackered, just want to crash, Molly yawned, sprawled in the Churchill the Gymnast pose, while her mum did her hair in the hallway mirror.

Order in then, Ill send you the money. Dont leave any for meI doubt Ill be hungry when I get back.

Back? From where? Molly straightened up, surprised.

Ive been asked out for dinner, her mum said with a shy, girlish grin, as if she were back in school.

Whos that? Molly bristled.

A man from the inspection team came to our school, loved my shepherds pieyes, your childhood favourite. The head inspector joked I should meet his head chef, as if schools have those! Anyway, we laughed over coffee, and now Im off to cook him tea tonight.

Youre mad! Going round some strangers house for dinner?

Whats so odd about it?

Wellarent you worried hes not just after your Yorkshire pudding?

Molly. Im forty, unmarried. Hes forty-five, good-looking, clever, single. Frankly, Ill welcome whatever hes after.

You sound like someone with no options, Mum! Like youre scared to expect more.

I cant believe this is you talking. You dragged me here so I could live life, not just muddle through.

There was no comeback to that. It dawned on Molly theyd swapped places and she didnt like it one bit. She ordered the largest pizza she could afford and spent the evening comfort-eating. Just before midnight, her mum came back, glowing so much she lit up the hallway.

So? How was it? Molly muttered darkly.

Lovely bloke. Proper local. No beetles about, her mum giggled, disappearing to shower.

Dates became more regular: theatre trips, stand-up comedy, jazz concerts, a library card, the local tea club, finally registered at the GP. Six months later, she enrolled in professional development courses, earned certificates, and learned to cook impressive dishes.

Molly wasnt slacking either. She wasnt going to stay under her mums roof forever and tried to get into the top firms. But no matter how she tried, those jobs left her in the dust. Not finding anything suitable, and with her new friends less keen to fund her lifestyle, she became a barista, then soon moved on to being a night bartender.

Routine set indark circles under her eyes, time slipping away, energy flagging. Her love life was a non-starter. Drunk regulars made their clumsy passes at the bar, but none of them even remotely fitted the bill for true love. Eventually, Molly grew tired of it all.

You know what, Mum, you were righttheres nothing here for us. Im sorry I dragged you here. Lets go home, declared Molly, bursting in after another rough shift.

Go home? What are you on about? her mum asked, halfway through packing a suitcase.

Backto our real home! Where they spell our name right on the bills, and were signed up at the proper doctors. You had it right all along.

But Im signed up here now. And I dont want to leave, her mum replied firmly, peering into Mollys swollen red eyes.

Well, I do! I hate it herethe stupid tube, overpriced coffee, snooty faces in bars. I want out. I’ve got friends and my own place back home. Besides, I see you packing too!

Im moving in with John, her mum said suddenly.

What do you mean, moving in with John?

Well, youre all sorted nowjob, flat, living in the capital, gorgeous prospects pouring out the tap, she smiled warmly. I’m grateful you brought me herereally. Otherwise, Id still be wasting away in our backwater. But here, life is pulsing! Thank you, Molly. With a big kiss on both cheeks, her mum looked ready to start a whole new adventure, but Molly wasnt ready to share the excitement.

But Mum, what about me? Wholl look after me? Molly asked, her tears now flowing freely.

Insurance, steady wage, Wi-Fiand maybe youll find your own nice chap, her mum quoted herself with a gentle smile.

So thats it, then? Youre just leaving me? Molly sniffled.

Im not leaving you, darling. And you promised not to kick up a fuss, remember?

Yeah. Okay, hand over the keys, then.

Theyre in my bag. Just one favour?

What?

Grannys thinking of moving up here tooIve talked her through your whole new life and beetles speech. The post office near me needs a new clerk, and nobody posts a letter like your gran. Maybe its time she takes a chance before her leaves wilt too.

Sometimes, taking a risk and striking out for something new pushes everyones life forwardincluding those you least expect. And while its daunting to let go, you just might find the best version of yourselfrooted not in one place, but in the courage to grow somewhere new.