Good Intentions

Good Intentions

Tessa! At last! I was beginning to lose my mind! Margaret opened the door and hugged her sister tightly. My heads spinning, I honestly dont know what to do!

Calm down first, will you! hearty and as steady as a house, Tessa breezed into the hallway. Is she at home?

No! She packed the kids up this morning and drove off! Margaret flapped her hand helplessly. Doesnt want to listen to a word I say. Claims shes in love!

Well, honestly, Maggie, what do you expect me to say? Youve let the girl slip out of your grip, and now youre crying about it? Lets have a seat and you can give me the full story, then well come up with a plan.

Tessa made her way into the kitchen and sat at the table, eyeing her sister critically as Margaret started to make tea.

Rinse out the teapot with boiling water first, wont you! Ive been at you about that for years and you still forget.

Margaret jumped, grabbed the teapot, fumbled, and cursed as she caught the hot lid and burned her ear.

Good gracious, butterfingers as ever! Let me do it, you sit down. Youll hurt yourself at this rate, all on edge as you are.

Tessa took over, bustling about as she set out the tea.

There! Right, spill the beans. Dont leave anything out. Who is he? Whats his deal? And what on earth is Ellie thinking?

Margaret wrapped her hands around her mug, and wondered what on earth she could actually say to her sister. In truth, she couldnt even pinpoint what it was about the whole situation that unsettled her so badly. The man Ellie her youngest daughter had brought home seemed decent enough. Not a drinking problem, nothing dodgy, polite and respectful, had his own business. Admittedly, just a garage, but still, a real job. Handy, too fixed the dripping tap that no plumber could seem to sort. But Margaret had got into the habit of worrying about Ellie, as Tessa always told her it would only be a matter of time before her youngest landed in trouble. So now, unless there was concrete proof that this was the right thing, Margaret couldnt settle.

And, honestly, the way Ellie had met him was odd. What sort of bloke who makes his living fixing cars just repairs a random womans car for free? So what if it was a bitterly cold winters day and Ellie was stranded with the kids? It doesnt mean everyone would do such a good deed. Then he started turning up at weekends to check the car was running and the kids were well. Itd been six months and he was still around. Meanwhile, Ellie had gone head over heels, not thinking about her mum or the children at all. Marriage, she says! Like she hadnt been burned once already.

Margaret told Tessa all of it, then waited for the verdict. In all things, shed always trusted her older sister more than herself. Their dad had died young, leaving their mum to keep the family together the best she could, and Tessa had, in many ways, raised Margaret like her own child.

Tess, youre eight years older youll have to help!

When their mum found out she was expecting Margaret, shed been overwhelmed, but everyone insisted theyd cope. Margaret was a sickly baby, needed constant TLC, and it was always Tessa there, plaiting her little sisters hair, walking her to nursery, teaching her how to write and read before even starting school. Good job too, because Margaret was out with illness for almost her whole first year.

The doctors reassured them:

She needs time. Shes delicate, but shell find her way.

And Tessa was always there with vitamins, medicine, nap times and routines. Shed glower until Margaret finished her milk, even if she hated the skin on top.

All that care paid off, and Margaret caught up quickly. By the time she was in Sixth Form, Tessa called her up, by then married and expecting her own baby, and asked:

Whats next for you?

She should study further, Mum, said Tessa. What a waste if she doesnt.

I dont know if I can manage alone.

Ill help.

Money was tight, but Margaret was never fussy. Tessa visited with bags of shopping. Shed run a finger along the bookshelf and shake her head.

Youre not a piglet, are you? Clean up in here!

Margaret would dust, knowing her sister would check every time.

Bad luck struck when Margaret was in her second year at university. She shyly confessed shed met a boy, and within a week her mum was diagnosed with cancer.

Tess, what do I do?

You? Nothing. Pass all your exams with top marks and dont let on that you know anything. Ill sort it.

Margaret stayed with her mum for the last week. There were times shed slip out into the kitchen and silently scream into the old wooden spoon her dad had once brought home, tears just not coming.

Tessa, meanwhile, stayed practical and strict.

Dont you dare start a scene. Let Mum go peacefully if we cant help her.

Those words were like a cold wake-up call. Was she the only daughter who couldnt get a grip?

Their mum passed quietly, Margaret holding her hand and, at last, crying like shed not allowed herself for so long.

They sold the family home and Margaret took a small flat round the corner from Tessa.

Lucky it worked out, Tessa said, examining the paintwork critically. Dont have anyone in to help. Well crack on ourselves.

Tessas team of ladies was always in high demand careful, reliable, word-of-mouth only. Times changed, Tessa set up her own building firm, juggled everything between work and a part-time business course at college. Her husband Alex was useless with housework, but Tessa didnt complain, she just pressed on.

When her eldest had troubles at school, Alex just shrugged:

You raised him, you sort it out. My job’s to provide.

Tessa sent their son off to the army on a clients advice.

Thatll knock the edges off him!

And he loved it. When he came home, he always laughed:

Well you were the real General at home, Mum. No wonder I ended up in the forces.

But then Tessas daughter came home with a bombshell.

Mum, Im pregnant.

Tessa just sank into the sofa.

How can this be? Youve only just turned eighteen!

Im old enough. Please, no lectures, okay?

Theres no point now, is there? Well have to plan a wedding.

Not necessary. He doesnt want to marry me.

No way, Tessa rallied. My grandchilds not growing up without a father! Dont worry, Ill sort it.

Her daughter had no doubts if anyone could fix it, Mum could. Within a month, there was a wedding and Tessa found them a little flat to rent.

Get on with it and keep the noise down!

It worked out for the younger couple, thanks, perhaps, to both the frightening energy and the unflagging support Tessa offered.

But soon enough, problems started popping up with Margarets girls.

Margarets daughters, Sophie and Ellie, were the apple of her eye. Strong, happy, nothing like Margaret had been. She used to say, Touch wood, look at my girls! Not a sickly one among them, thank heavens.

Just make sure they grow up clever as well, Tessad say.

Honestly, cant complain. Both of them good at school and extra activities. Only, they’re chalk and cheese. Sophie takes after me quiet, not much to notice. Ellies her father through and through: bright and bold as brass.

Better keep a close eye on her. Shell be the one causing headaches!

They were so close in age, Margaret put them into the same class, hoping it would help at least it did for Sophie, who struggled academically. Ellie, meanwhile, had a knack for everything, always dragging her sister along. Their father, Max, doted on them.

The best girls in the world, hed say.

Sadly, Max was killed in a car crash when the girls were twelve. For days, Margaret, her daughters and Tessa camped at the hospital, clinging to shred of hope, but Max didnt recover. The girls clung to Tessa, terrified even to look at their mum, as if the life had been drained out of her overnight. Margaret would scream in her sleep. At last, the girls took to sleeping on either side of her, hoping shed come back to life for their sake.

Tessa eventually stormed in.

What do you think youre doing? The girls lost their dad are you going to make sure they lose their mother too? They need you, cant you see?

Margaret just sat numbly, but eventually her sisters words took root. As life turned pleasant again, the girls caught fleeting glimpses of their mothers old smile, even if only a shadow of it.

Both girls fell in love at the end of Sixth Form. Sophie dried her tears after a good talking-to from Aunt Tessa and decided to listen to sense: Ive got time. Tessas right.

But Ellie was determined:

I love him!

What good will that do you? Tessa stormed. Is he ready for real life? Tell me was there anything between you?

Thats our business, Ellie shot back. Shed had enough of Tessa ruling everyone. She didnt mind her mother being under her thumb, but this was too far.

Ellie hadnt actually been with her boyfriend, Sam, yet, but she realised she wouldnt hold out much longer. Sitting him down, shoving his hand off her knee, she delivered an ultimatum:

So what do you want from me? Am I just a fling to you?

Ellie! I love you!

Then marry me!

Sure, easy just have to mention it to me folks!

Sam, grow up will you. Tell your parents, and until you do, dont bother coming round.

Margaret would have been surprised to see Ellie like that but shed have nodded and said, Thats Tessa to the bone, right there.

Sam came round. They married a year later. Margaret wept through the entire wedding, and Tessa barely contained her anger watching Ellie kiss her new husband.

Why the rush? Were they desperate?

Tessas suspicions about a baby were off Ellie didnt have her son until two years later. By then, she was in university and, backed by her mother and sister, chose not to take any breaks. It was hard, but she managed. Sam worked, too, part-time at his dads firm. They did their best, but parents (with a wry smile) still stepped in to help.

When Ellie finished uni, her father-in-law offered her a job in the accounts department. She knew she wouldnt find better as a graduate, so she accepted.

By the time she was expecting her second child, shed been made head of accounts, and Sam and his dad had tripled the family income by setting up a new business together. Margaret beamed, proud as can be, though Tessa always worried aloud:

If things go too smoothly, disaster might be lurking. Ellies too fiery for her own good one day shell wreck everything, and youll be left to sort the mess.

Margaret kept some things from her sister, because what started to pass for concern sounded more like nagging and jealousy now. She pitied Tessa, whose own children were struggling. If she ever asked, all she got was:

Fine! Worry about your own.

And so she did, though you cant keep an eye on everything.

No one saw it coming when Sam, now always out on business, had an affair. Ellie found out the worst way possible. At first, she thought he was just busy or tired because of work and the new baby. She tried to revive their romance with date nights, handed the kids to Margaret, but when pressing him didnt work, suspicion crept in.

One spring morning, at the park with her sons, a heavily pregnant woman sat beside her.

Youre Ellie, arent you? the woman asked, cool-eyed.

Erm, yes?

Im Lisa. The woman Sam loves. Your soon-to-be-ex husband.

Ellie was stunned, but then, out of nowhere, snorted with laughter.

Oh, really? And the bumps his?

Of course it is! Boy too!

Congratulations, but why tell me?

Dont you get it? Are you filing for divorce or not?

Not yet. Why?

Because my child needs a father!

So, what, hes not needed for the two over there? Ellie retorted dryly.

Lisa squeaked, struggling to her feet, Dont mess me about! Sort it with Sam. Im due in a month!

Ellie watched the woman wobble away and held back tears for the sake of her boys. The eldest noticed, Mum, are you crying?

No, no, just got something in my eye.

Confronted, Sam didnt deny anything.

Youve gotten weird lately, you know, always busy with kids and work. Im a man, after all.

If you say so

The divorce was hellish. Sam became someone she barely recognised, fighting for every last bit in court. Margaret helped her, looking after the children while Ellie rebuilt her life, searching for a new job.

Tessa never held back her criticisms:

Out until nine? How are the boys meant to cope?

She has to work late, but at least its good pay. Shes building a career.

What use is a career with no mother at home? Shell bring another man home and youll be landed with the boys!

Tessa!

Wait and see!

Margaret desperately tried to believe it was just scaremongering, but when Leonard appeared, all her worst anxieties returned.

What do we do now?

Knock some sense into her! Two kids and shes all about romance! Who knows if hes after her money or what? Isnt she the golden goose, with the flat and a car?

Tessa

We need to check him out!

How?

For a start, have a word with Ellie.

She wont listen. Ive tried everything, she just smiles and insists hes great.

Typical! Grown-up maybe, but clueless. Hand me the phone. Ill call her.

Tessa picked up the phone, called Ellie, and snapped, Your mothers unwell. Youve pushed her to the brink. Get here, now.

Ellie barely hung up, running around her flat, heart pounding.

Leo, I have to go my mums not well.

Want me to drive you?

No, Ill go. Let the boys stay, please feed them, put them to bed.

Ellie sped through the night, not even feeling her hands on the wheel.

Margaret opened the door but avoided her gaze.

Mum!

Im fine.

Then why

Come in! Tessa called out. Or shall we talk in the hallway?

Ellie sat perching on a chair as Tessa read her the riot act.

If you dont shape up, well have to take the boys! Youre swanning about while they have to watch every moment?

A thread of Ellies patience finally snapped. She got up, smoothed her skirt, and said:

Auntie Tessa, dont you have enough to deal with without running my life? Unless you pay my way, you dont get to treat me like a schoolgirl. Im grown up now.

Then act like it!

Thats just what I intend. No more reports for you. Forget I exist. Step into my family again, and youll see how much Ive grown. My life, my children not your concern. And maybe focus on your own childrens issues, not mine, yeah? Sophies struggled, but at least you pity her.

How dare you! Tessa shouted, rising from the sofa. Rude girl! Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?

I gave myself permission, and Im not giving it back.

What are you babbling about? Margaret blinked.

The scapegoat, Mum only female. Im the household goat.

Oh, for heavens sake! Tessa rolled her eyes.

You need to rethink the way you control everything round here. That goes for you too, Mum. Im not perfect but Im not a fool. All these years, nothing but criticism! Good intentions

Well, maybe we really ought to check up on you, Tessa muttered.

Tessa! Margarets face paled. Thats enough. Its gone too far Not another word!

Margaret suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed. Ellie darted to her, calling for an ambulance.

The next day, the entire family clustered at the hospital. Tessa didnt know what to say to Ellie, who simply looked at her aunt and nodded:

Apology accepted.

Ellie

Its all right, Tessa. Youve learned something. Lets just focus on Mum.

Margaret recovered. She patched things up with Tessa in hospital, but after that, she finally stopped listening to any complaints about her daughters. Tessa eventually did calm down, though it took a while. And at Ellie and Leonards wedding, it was Tessa who cheered Kiss the bride! first, then hugged her niece tight and whispered, Forgive me.

Life sorted itself out in its own way. When Tessa needed operations in later years, it was Ellie who looked after her and Leonard who drove her to appointments, helping with the walker and all. They became close, and the day Tessa was bedridden, she squeezed Ellies hand and said:

Youve got yourself a proper man, love! Look after him hold on tight!

I will, Ellie smiled.

And Ellie was still there, holding her aunt’s hand, when Tessa passed away. The last word Tessa said, quietly, was just:

Thank you.