Roses For Katie

by Dilys Xavier

  ‘Something new, something really smart. You can bet your bottom dollar Margie will be dressed in the latest fashion, so we’ll go shopping for you in the morning.’

  ‘Another new dress, so soon?’ Then she realized she could well afford it, and smiled. ‘Right, then I’ll look forward to a morning out on the town.’

  Sam was thrilled about the way her mother had accepted the news; she couldn’t have wished for better. All she hoped now was that Katie would not find out how or why the dinner party had been arranged.

  Shopping the next day, they found a lovely dress in the very first shop they visited. It was black georgette, conservatively decorated with a little silver glitter thread on the shoulders — a slim line dress that hugged Katie’s tall and elegant figure, and accentuated her creamy skin and fair hair.

  ‘You won’t look much older than Margie in this little number,’ Sam said.

  ‘Oh, come on, I’m more than double her age, and I feel it, these days.

  ‘You don’t look it, Mum.’

  Even just trying on the dress made Katie feel better, and she didn’t hesitate to buy it. They had a leisurely lunch in town, and by the time they got back to Priory Farm, Pat had finished his work for the day and had already left.

  As soon as Sam arrived home, she phoned Margie at work and told her the news.

  ‘I’ll have to smarten up if I don’t want to be outshone by Mum.’ She chuckled. ‘Shee-it… what a laugh, going to a singles dinner party with my mother. But I don’t want a soul there to know who she is, and I’ve primed the hostess on that score. Look out if they let on about it. Would my face be red.’

  ‘Mum will be okay, won’t she? I mean… there’ll be a couple of older people there, Margie, someone closer to Mum’s age?’

  ‘Oh, there’s always the older man or two, looking for a younger, glamorous woman, and Mum is certainly that.’ She chuckled again. ‘There’s no need to worry, sis—I’ll keep a wary eye on whoever might show a particular interest in her. I don’t want her getting mixed up with any unscrupulous character who might want to latch on to a good thing, and there are plenty of those about, don’t I know it?’

  Totally unaware of the scheming that had gone on behind her back, Katie hummed a little tune while she dressed for her evening out with Margie. They were using a taxi service, so it meant complete freedom if either wanted to have a drink or two.

  Margie swept into Priory Farm early, her long, straight hair flowing as usual, and a complete contrast to her mother’s shorter hairstyle. The hairdresser had swept Katie’s naturally bouncy hair away from her face at the sides, and lifted it gently up and out at the back, with a bouffant style fringe over her forehead. It made her look even younger.

  ‘Wow.’ Margie gave her mother a genuine look of appraisal. ‘Who’s going to be the belle of the ball tonight, then?’

  She produced a long string of pearls out of her bag, and slipped them around her mother’s neck, tying a knot in front. Then she fixed on a pair of dangling, pearl dropper earrings, and stood back. ‘Yes, you look quite stunning,’ she said. ‘Come on, Mum, let’s go, and remember to tell no one I’m your little girl tonight, or they’ll think I’m in need of chaperoning, okay?’

  Katie smiled tolerantly as Margie lead her to the waiting taxi.

  The dinner was being held in a private room away from the other hotel guests. This meant that the group was limited exclusively to the company of those at the party. The room was large, with comfortable chairs and a small bar at one end. Heavy chintz curtains were drawn against the fading daylight, and the warm, pink lights in the room were romantically dimmed. Gentle music from a string quartet wafted over to them as they entered the room.

  Katie looked round, and noticed that some of the diners seemed to be a little fidgety, and didn’t seem to be too relaxed. But as the waiters plied them with pre-dinner drinks, everyone seemed to loosen up.

  Margie made straight for Mitzi, the hostess, to remind her of the particular circumstances, and just minutes after she returned to her mother’s side, Mitzi brought over a distinguished looking gentleman.

  ‘Allow me to introduce Colonel Thomas Rees-Jones,’ she said to Katie and Margie.

  His brilliant smile was what caught Katie’s attention at first. Moreover, there was a deep dimple in his chin, and an intelligent look in his hazel eyes. She took a deep breath He was definitely a soldier. It puzzled her why someone so good looking was on his own. She studied the colonel’s attractively rugged complexion, and her eyes took in his fine physique, noting that although his shoulders were broad, he was slim at the hips. She guessed he had to be at least six feet five inches tall, and estimated he was in his early fifties. While Katie was taking all this in, and listening to the general conversation between the three of them, Margie suddenly excused herself and went off to talk with someone to whom Mitzi had introduced her only minutes after they had arrived.

  ‘Call me Tom,’ the colonel said, turning to Katie and addressing her in a very cultured Oxford accent.

  ‘Certainly. I’m Katie.’ She smiled up at him.

  They quickly fell into conversation, making Katie wonder if this was the effect of the alcohol, or whether he really was someone to whom she could relate this easily. It was soon time to be seated, and it seemed perfectly natural for them both to sit next to one another. She had a strong feeling that the colonel was pleased with the arrangement. He placed a hand gently on her back and escorted her to a chair. On the other side of him sat Margie, and next to her was the good-looking young man with whom she had spoken earlier. At that point, the hostess requested the diners’ attention.

  ‘We hope you will enjoy the meal, and the evening we have planned for you,’ she said. ‘Now, I would like to ask all the gentlemen to move up one seat between courses.’ There was a slight murmur from some. ‘We find this helps people to mix, and gives the dinner that special party feeling.’ She looked around and smiled. ‘However, I might add, it is not compulsory.’

  Katie decided she would prefer the seating arrangement as it was. Margie leaned over behind her and whispered something to the colonel. He nodded, and then whispered to Katie.

  ‘We’ve decided not to change places,’ he said. ‘We like it this way. Is that all right with you, Katie?’

  ‘Of course.’ She liked the colonel, his direct style and his conversation, and had no wish to have to start all over with a new partner. There was a choice of starters and main course. Katie fancied the more traditional main meal. She chose the succulent papaya fruit with fresh limejuice, followed by tender duckling in a delicious orange sauce, and a selection of fresh fruit with clotted cream for dessert. For a while, apart from the background music, there was little more than the sound of cutlery on china. But, after the wine and a few more drinks, people began to talk and laugh more loudly. Then, as the quartet changed tempo, everyone was invited to dance on the tiny polished wood floor in the centre of the room.

  Tom touched her on the arm. Come along, Katie. It’s a long time since I had the opportunity to hold a beautiful woman in my arms.’

  Katie couldn’t help her blushing reaction, but his compliment made her feel good.

  Several hours slipped by as they danced and talked. Tom told her about his career abroad in the army, and the time flew by, and all too soon, the party was ending. Katie had barely spoken to Margie the whole evening, and looked for her with interest. Her daughter seemed as engrossed in her partner as Katie had been with the Colonel.

  Tom clasped both Katie’s hands in his and held them tightly.

  ‘This has been a great evening, Katie. It’s a long time since I enjoyed myself so much,’ he said, softly. ‘I would like to think you’d see me again. May I phone you?’

  Katie smiled and looked up into his hazel eyes. They’re nice, kind eyes, she thought, as she opened her bag and produced a card that she handed to him.

  ‘By all means, Tom,’ she said. ‘There’s my number.’

  Margie and her ne
wfound partner were laughing near the doorway, both looking as though they didn’t want to part company. As Margie moved away from him, he held her hand at arm’s length like he never wanted to let her go. She blew him a kiss and joined her mother just after Tom had tucked Katie’s card into his pocket and left.

  ‘Well?’ Katie said, in an enquiring tone as Margie joined her. ‘You seem to have hit it off with that young man.’

  ‘Look who’s talking,’ Margie said. ‘I’ve been watching you, Mum. You had eyes for no one but the Colonel.’

  Katie felt like she couldn’t stop smiling. ‘I’ve had a really wonderful evening,’ she said. ‘Thank you, Margie. I’m so glad I came. Now tell me all about that nice young man. Who is he, where is he from, and what does he do?’

  ‘His name is Dylan Maine and a doctor recently appointed to the local hospital. He’s also new to this area. He’s fab, Mum, and I’m seeing him again.’

  ‘That’s wonderful,’ Katie said, hoping that maybe her eldest had found someone with whom she could settle down. At last.

  ‘And what about this colonel, Mum? He seemed as much taken with you as you were with him.’

  Katie blushed a little, feeling embarrassed at gossiping with her own daughter about men. ‘Well, he’s asked if he can phone me, so maybe I’ll meet him again one day.’

  After seeing her mother home, Margie phoned Sam, knowing her sister would be waiting anxiously to hear how the evening went.

  ‘Oh, great, so it was a success, then?’ Sam giggled. ‘I just knew that our Mum would hit it off with someone, given the chance. So, tell me about this man she’s met. What do you know about him?’

  ‘Nothing… only what Mum told me on the way home in the taxi,’ she said. ‘She’s quite excited about him. He’s probably not much past fifty, a retired army colonel, ruggedly handsome, tall and slim, a widower with no children.’ She took a breath. ‘He lives in a huge house about thirty miles away, and is looking for another place where he can do some light farming. And he’s lonely. Is that enough, Sam? I’ve had a lot to drink and I’m tired. I guess Mum will enjoy telling you the rest.’

  ‘No, wait a sec, what about you? Did you meet someone?’

  ‘I did, and he’s cool, sis, real cool, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the story, because I’m off to bed right now.’

  Sam relaxed in her chair, delighted that her crazy idea had produced such a good result. She knew Tanya and Angie would be anxious for news, and even though it was almost midnight, she knew Tanya would still be about, so she phoned her, but decided to wait until the next morning before phoning Angie.

  ‘Thank goodness something exciting is happening at last,’ Tanya said. ‘Our idea worked. Even Margie’s roped in now.’

  ‘I’ve got news for you too, Sam,’ Tanya said. I met an old school friend of Mum’s this evening at the art class. He’s a new member, and we got talking. He’s a jolly good artist… a bachelor by the name of Cuthbert Alexander; not what I’d call good-looking, but pleasant enough, talented, and free.’

  ‘Oh, tell me more.’

  ‘He teaches history in a boys’ school not far away. It seems he was in the sixth form with Mum at school, so they’d be about the same age. I put two and two together and guessed from the way he was talking that he’d always fancied her. Anyway, he made no secret of the fact that he’d love to see her again. Know what?’ Tanya gave a hearty chortle. ‘If we’re not careful, Mum’s going to end up with so many boyfriends that she’ll be in a tizzy. I can picture the scene; one feller comes in through the front door as another goes out the side.’

  ‘You’re right, Tanya, but I doubt that Mum would be able to handle such a situation, so let’s not overdo things. Seriously, it could get out of hand and destroy all our well-laid plans. She could end up with no one at all.’ Sam sighed. ‘We’d better watch out for complications.’

  Chapter Six

  Katie looked up excitedly as Sam burst in through the kitchen door the next morning. She had just made coffee, and she poured out two mugs, which they took into the sitting room.

  ‘Oh, Sam, you’d never guess,’ Katie said, as she set the coffee on the small table. ‘I met the most charming man last night. He’s a colonel, and quite handsome. He retired young, and wants to take up farming; goodness knows why.’ She paused while she thought about him. ‘I think he likes me. Anyway, he said he’d phone to arrange a meeting again — if he really meant what he said last night.’ Katie’s frowned. ‘Of course, we’d all had a drop or two to drink, so…’

  Her voice trailed off and she looked out the window, wondering if she was making too much of it. Perhaps it was the drink we both had that made us think everything was wonderful, when in fact in reality it wasn’t. Maybe he won’t phone, so I’d best put the idea out of my mind. As these thoughts raced through her head, Pat came into view, carrying the camellias to the side garden where she had said she wanted them. She turned around to Sam.

  ‘Isn’t Pat doing well? He’s made a huge difference to my garden already,’ she said as she gazed out. ‘Only the other day he told me he’d like to go back to Ireland for good.’ She shook her head. ‘I suppose people like to go back to their roots, so it’s only natural, but I’d be quite lost if he went, really I would. I can’t bear to think of it.’ She shrugged, and walked over to the window. ‘It’s as well not to rely too heavily on someone; you get let down more often than not. It’s better to be independent, but I can’t do that heavy sort of garden work, I’m out of practice… not fit enough.’

  She moved away from the window, and plonked down on the sofa. ‘Oh, well, if he goes, there’s little I can do about it. I’ll just have to look around for another gardener, that’s all.’ She let out another long sigh. ‘But Pat is such a gem, and we get on so well together… we’re like friends. I’ll never find another gardener like him.’

  ‘Come along, Mum, he only said he’d like to go, not that he is going, so maybe it’s only wishful thinking.’ She looked at her mother, then continued. ‘Haven’t you said things that you don’t really mean? Anyway, in fairness, there’s not much to make him want to stay here, is there?’ She linked her arm through her mother’s as they looked out the window. ‘Don’t let something like that worry you, Mum. If it comes to that, you’ve got enough money now to call in the local professional landscapers to keep it just as you want it. Expensive, I know, but once they’ve got it right, you’ll be able to manage, and we’ll help as much as we can.’ She put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. ‘Don’t get weepy, Mum… not over a garden… it’s never worth it.’ She glanced at her watch, and changed the subject. ‘What time are we going to the hospital?’

  ‘Right now.’ Katie slipped on her jacket. ‘I’m anxious to see how Aunt Bertha is.’ She clucked her tongue. ‘I’m really concerned about her. I do hope we find her improved today.’ Katie picked up her handbag, and walked out to the car.

  ‘I’ve left the back door open for you to help yourself to coffee,’ she called to Pat, as she passed him. ‘Secure it when you leave, please.’

  Within twenty minutes, they were at the hospital, but before going in to the ward, Katie sought out the Sister and questioned her about how Aunt Bertha was getting on.

  ‘She’s not progressing as well as we’d like,’ the woman said. ‘We think there may be something else we need to address, so we’re going to run more tests.’

  Katie walked away feeling despondent, but when she saw Aunt Bertha, she felt convinced that she looked a little better this time. However, there was little conversation, and from the way her aunt kept nodding off, Katie could see that she needed rest more than she needed visitors. In a short while, Aunt Bertha drifted off to sleep, and Katie beckoned Sam to leave. They crept quietly away, and headed back to Priory Farm.

  Sam stayed for lunch, but left straight after, and a little later Pat went home as well. Left on her own, Katie was quietly reading the paper, when the phone rang. Could this be Tom, the colonel, so soon? Her
heart gave a little leap as she lifted the phone full of expectancy.

  ‘Hello, Katie, how are you today?’

  Rex’s cheerful tone brightened her immediately. ‘Look here, would you join me for a drink and a meal in one of our ancient little inns tonight? There are plenty to choose from in the countryside around here.’

  ‘Thank you Rex; I’d love that. What time will you pick me up?’

  ‘Seven-thirty all right for you?’

  ‘Perfect,’ Katie said, delighted to have something to dress up for.

  Rex arrived on time, again in the silver Mercedes. ‘We’ll take a leisurely drive through some pretty countryside, pick out an interesting looking inn, and hope they’ve a decent menu.’ He waited for a response. ‘Does that sound okay to you?’

  Katie felt quite unconcerned about where they went; she was only too pleased to be driven around and have a meal at a local inn. ‘Whatever you say, Rex. I don’t mind where we go.’

  It was only minutes before they left the busy roads for the quiet rural lanes. On the top of a hill, out in deep countryside, Rex stopped the car and pointed to the sheep in the field.

  ‘Look… that’s a rare breed of sheep called Welsh Blacks. Now the first many would think of associated with that name is cattle. I know the farmer who owns those sheep quite well,’ he said. ‘If it were earlier in the day, we’d call on him. Another time, maybe.’

  ‘This is idyllic,’ Katie said. ‘Let’s get out and take a breath of fresh air.’

  Rex eased from his seat and strode around the car to open the door for her. Katie stepped out and gazed around what seemed to be an enormous plateau. Everything looked so clean, and fresh, and the brightness of nature’s colors appeared more intense in the pure, clean air. From their vantage point, she looked out over fields that stretched into the distance, and there wasn’t the sound of a single vehicle. She breathed deeply of the gentle breeze that wafted the healthy country smells to them.

  ‘This is heavenly,’ she murmured, ‘just like another world.’ She cocked her head ti the side, and lifted a finger. ‘Listen to that bird. Do you know what it is?’ she asked, as the song carried on the wind.