by Jo Meadows
As she started to think of ways to cause a few little problems for her daughter, Georgina felt that old familiar feeling of excitement and anticipation. She realised that she’d missed it. It seemed an age since she used to sit at home dreaming up ways to trip David up and imagining his reaction when he fell into her little traps. I’d forgotten how much fun that was, she thought. God, his face! It was always a picture. You could almost hear the cogs slowly turning in his head wondering what had just happened.
She finally turned towards home feeling better. Now she’d decided a way ahead, a way for her to hopefully get some relief from everything she’d been putting up with - Yes, she definitely felt better. She would once again cooperate with them and would go along with their suggestions. She would apologise for getting upset with David, albeit biting her tongue while she did it. She still didn’t have an answer for the money question but couldn’t care less. Rather than coming up with some convoluted story, she’d decided to wing it and say whatever came into her head. Besides, she’d always been pretty good at thinking on her feet and what could they say anyway? And, who bloody cares anyway? She even decided that if David booked her an appointment to see someone, she would go along willingly and be her polite, charming and lovely self and see where that got them. She doubted that David would go through with his threat but, if he did, she would only agree to go if no-one came in to see the psychiatrist with her.
She made one other decision before she got home - David, Oh David. Lynnette was not the only one that needed to be put back in her place. David was not going to get away with the way he’d spoken to her earlier. Although she’d been angry beyond belief when he left the room, she still hadn’t failed to see the look on his face; the glint in his eye. It was as though he’d overcome an enormous challenge and had emerged victorious. Well, guess what? I think you’ll find your little victory may be short-lived and I think you’ll find it will come with a price.
When she arrived home, Georgina asked David to come to their room to talk. As he got up to follow her, she noticed him glance at Lynnette with a wry smile on his face. Yes, she thought, you think you’ve won, don’t you? Well we’ll see.
Fifteen minutes later, David came into the kitchen alone. When Georgina didn’t show, Lynnette asked him if everything was alright. David said that, while he was a bit suspicious, Georgina had again apologised for what she’d said earlier and that she realised she had been slipping back towards her old ways. She said that she felt she couldn’t help it, sharing Lynnette and Leo’s house, waiting for the extension to be completed was, if anything, embarrassing and humiliating. Every day was a reminder of why they’d ended up where they were and it was all her fault. She knew and accepted that and she also knew that if they hadn’t done what they’d done, god knows what may have happened. She was frightened and confused and she needed help. She agreed to see a psychiatrist if that was what he wanted, but she insisted that if she did go to see one, she would go alone and what was said would be between her and the psychiatrist.
Lynnette asked her Dad what her Mum was doing. Her Dad said that, although he thought she was embarrassed to be around anyone, she’d said she’d felt unwell and wanted to lie down. Lynnette agreed that she was probably embarrassed and they decided to leave her alone; she would come out when she was ready. David said he would hold off making the appointment until Georgina brought up the subject herself. That way she may feel she was more in control and wasn’t being bullied into it. They both agreed that while the confrontation earlier had been extremely unpleasant, it had probably served to move things along in the right direction. They’d known all along that this wasn’t going to be easy.
***
‘How on earth did I miss that?’ muttered Lynnette to herself. Grabbing her car keys, she ran out of the house and drove off.
‘Where’s Lynnette going?’ asked Georgina.
‘I haven’t got a clue but she was in an awful hurry. Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘Yes please David that would be nice.’
Later, when Lynnette came back Emily was with her.
‘Where did you dash off to Sweetheart?’ asked David.
‘Mummy was late picking me up from school Grandpa, you should have seen her. She was all out of breath and her face was all red.’
‘It wasn’t funny Emily.’
‘Sorry Mummy, I know, but you did look funny.’
‘So, what happened then?’ asked David.
‘I thought Emily had music club after school but I got the days wrong. I thought it was today and it’s not until tomorrow. By the time I got to the school, Emily had been waiting for twenty minutes. I’m so sorry Darling.’
‘That’s okay Mummy, Mrs Johnson said a lot of mums are late all the time.’
‘I’m not a lot of mums Emily. I hate to be late for anything, especially you.’ Lynnette looked at the noticeboard on the kitchen wall. On it were all the usual reminders and appointments on little bits of post-it note on a calendar. Sure enough, there it was – “Emily Music Club till 4.30PM.”
‘This is stupid; I know I put it on the right day,’ she said as she put it onto the correct day.
‘Don’t worry about it, we all make mistakes and Emily looks like she’s had a great time, haven’t you Emily?’ said Georgina.
‘Yes Nana, it was great. Mrs Johnson gave me a colouring book to play with while I was waiting and I did four pages.’
Inside, Georgina chuckled quietly to herself. The noticeboard was such a stupid idea anyway. Who uses post-it notes? They’re just crying out to be moved. Why not just write on the calendar? She deserves everything she gets. Just wait till she next goes shopping – Who writes in pencil? It’s so easy to amend, especially when no-one’s looking.
Sure enough, a couple of days later Lynnette was standing in the kitchen fuming. When Leo asked her what was wrong she said she’d been shopping and, not only had she forgotten some things, she’d picked up quite a bit of stuff she didn’t need.
‘I don’t know what I was thinking when I wrote this stupid list. Why on earth did I get eggs? We don’t need any. I’m going to have to freeze half of this.’
‘Don’t worry, Darling, we all make mistakes. Let me go out and get what you forgot,’ said Leo, giving her a hug.
‘That’s becoming a familiar phrase with me these days – “We all make mistakes.” You’re a treasure; could you go and get this lot for me?’ she said handing Leo a newly written list.
‘Are you going to the shops Leo?’
‘Yes Georgina. Is there anything I can get for you?’
‘Yes please, could you pick up some of my moisturising cream, you know the one don’t you? It was on the list I thought, sorry to be a pest.’
‘Oh god, I’m sorry Mum. I don’t know what’s got into me. You did ask me to put it on the list, I remember; I’m sure I did. Sorry.’
‘’That’s alright Lynnette, it’s easy to forget things. It doesn’t matter; Leo will fetch it for me.’
Georgina was having fun. It wasn’t on the same level as when she used to badger David, but it was something. It was worth it just to see Lynnette’s face; god, it was a picture both times. Hang in there Darling, there’s more to come; I haven’t finished with you yet.
As for David, bless him, she’d worked out a plan but was waiting for just the right moment before she brought it into play. She hadn’t mentioned the psychiatrist’s appointment again and as yet, neither had he. He hadn’t mentioned the money again either come to think of it, but she supposed it was only a matter of time. She knew that he was probably waiting for her to open up. Perhaps it was some kind of test and if she left it too long, he’d think she wasn’t serious and would follow up on his threat to book the appointment himself. I’ll leave it another day or two, she thought, after all we’re all nice and cosy again for the moment. I’ll keep him sweet for now and that will give me a few days grace.
Georgina only had to wait another two days before she saw the perfect op
portunity to get another one over on Lynnette. Unfortunately, once again it involved the noticeboard and she knew she’d have to be really careful if she wanted to get away with it. Lynnette was far from stupid and it wouldn’t take her long to work out what was going on. Whatever, it was too good an opportunity to miss and Georgina thought she’d do it just once more and then not touch the noticeboard ever again - perhaps.
On the noticeboard, in addition to the calendar with its silly little post-it notes were some business cards. Georgina had looked at them the other day when she’d moved the note about Emily’s music club and she’d noticed that one was for Lynnette’s hairdresser. Written on the card was Lynnette’s next appointment which was booked for the fifth of the month; it would be simple to amend it to read the eighth. If she didn’t get a call on the fifth reminding her about it, she’d be three days late when she turned up on the eighth. No big deal really, but it would still give Lynnette pause for thought and make her think she was losing it, especially with the music club and then the shopping list. At the very least it would be embarrassing.
Georgina altered the date on the card and carefully put it back in exactly the right place, stepping back to admire her handiwork. ‘There, let’s see what you make of that, “Little Miss Know-It-All.” Your hair’s always a mess anyway; perhaps you’d do better not to go at all, never mind going three days late.’
‘I knew it!’
Georgina’s heart sank and she gasped as she turned to see Lynnette standing in the kitchen doorway.
‘I knew it! I knew it was you! What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? You’re never normally short of something to say; some sly comment or some cutting remark to shut me up or put me down.’
For a moment Georgina couldn’t speak; her mind a total blank.
‘What do you hope to achieve with your little games Mum? I thought it was too good to be true; too much to hope you’d ever change. All these weeks we’ve given you the benefit of the doubt and now look at you, standing there like a little girl who’s just been caught stealing biscuits. I knew it was only a matter of time before you showed your true colours. How long will it be before you do something really stupid or dangerous? It was you who flooded the foundation trench wasn’t it? What else have you been up to?’
‘Lynnette, I was only looking at the board, I haven’t done anything. What are you talking about? Of course I didn’t flood the stupid trench.’
‘Only looking at it. Really?’ said Lynnette as she walked across to the noticeboard. ‘I suppose if I read that it will still say my appointment’s on the fifth. No, it won’t will it? You’ve seen to that; I’ve just stood there and watched you. God, you’re pathetic!’
Georgina was caught. At first she was all set to defend herself but instead she was filled with rage. All the pent-up frustration and anger that she felt towards her daughter boiled to the surface and she exploded.
‘How dare you! You don’t know the pressure I’ve been under these last few weeks. I’ve given up everything for you. Your Dad and I were happy before you stuck your oar in and poisoned his mind against me.’
‘Happy! You may have been happy, manipulating him; bullying him and attacking him. The poor man was at his wit’s end when he was living with you. He was a proud and confident man until you got your claws into him. You’ve belittled him and picked on him all your married life. Do you think we’re all blind? Why do you think we only visited once a year? Why do you think Michael hardly ever comes over to see you? None of us can bear to watch the way you treat Dad and it’s all we’ve been able to do not to step in and stop you. All these years we’ve all gone for the easy life and we’re ashamed that we’ve allowed you to continue to beat Dad into the ground. You’re the reason he had the stroke; he couldn’t cope with all the stress and fear you inflicted on him.’
‘What? Oh, it’s all coming out now isn’t it? Listen to you, have you heard yourself? I’ve never heard so much rubbish in all my life. Good God! You’ve always been a lousy daughter and you’re an even worse mother! I hate you! I hate all of you!’
Georgina raised her arm to strike her daughter but was surprised when Lynnette caught hold of her wrist.
‘Oh no you don’t Mother! You may be able to hit Dad but it won’t work with me. Do you really want to go down that road?’
Georgina shook Lynnette off and with a stifled scream she stormed from the room.
As the door slammed, Lynnette leaned against the kitchen wall and let out a huge breath. Like her Dad some days before, she was shaking like a leaf – it was the adrenalin. That’s it, she thought, as soon as Dad and Leo get back we’ll sit down and talk this through. I knew I hadn’t got my days wrong. I knew that stupid shopping list was a load of rubbish. I’m surprised I didn’t spot it when I was out; I was in such a rush as usual and fell straight for my Mum’s little game.
From her Mum’s room she heard things being thrown about and then silence followed by the sorrowful sound of her Mum crying. Yes, go on and cry, she said to herself. There’ll be a lot more of that by the time we’re finished.
In her room, Georgina angrily swept everything off the dressing table onto the floor and threw her alarm clock against the wall. Clenching her fists, she looked around and found nothing else upon which to vent her rage. Finally, breathing heavily, she managed to calm down and fell onto her bed, sobbing like a small child. That’s exactly how she felt – like a small child. How dare Lynnette talk to her like that and think she could away with it? Who the hell did she think she was?
As her tears subsided, Georgina’s thoughts turned to revenge. Instead of being full of anger and jumbled thoughts, her mind became clear – crystal clear. Regardless of what happened next. However this all worked out, Lynnette had crossed a line.
Looking at the mess on the floor, her eyes fell on the bottle of sleeping pills she’d brought from home. She hadn’t had a reason to use them for some time but she’d held onto them just in case. She picked up the bottle and read the warning note on its side. She counted the pills and decided there were plenty for what she had in mind.
She lay back on the bed and started to relax as she began to formulate her plan.
As she worked through what to do in her mind, she realised she had a touch of what felt like heartburn and as she began to wonder what it was, she had the sensation of increasing pressure in her chest – not really pain but pressure. Puzzled, she dismissed these feelings as more of what she’d experienced recently, whenever she’d been angry or just anxious, and she tried to continue working out her plan. A sharp pain slowly engulfed her upper back and her left shoulder and she started to become worried.
Suddenly she realised she was experiencing something serious and became very afraid. Her chest felt as though it was being crushed in a vice and the pain in her back quickly became unbearable. She tried to get up but the pain prevented her from being able to lift herself off the bed. Becoming light-headed and dizzy she tried to call for help but found the pressure in her chest made it impossible to speak.
Through her pain and fear she thought of David. Where is he? He’ll help me. God let him come. But, as she drifted into unconsciousness, despite her fear, and realising that she was totally alone and helpless, her last thought became one of frustration; frustration that Lynnette would get away with everything she wanted and there was nothing that she could do about it.
***
Two hours later, David, Leo and Emily all walked into the kitchen to find it empty. They looked about and then saw Lynnette in the garden sitting in the sun. When she caught sight of them she signalled them to join her and then asked Emily if she’d like an ice cream. While Emily went off to the freezer to fetch one, Lynnette told David and Leo what had happened earlier. Although looking upset, David’s resolve had not wavered and he agreed with Lynnette. Enough was enough; he would make that appointment today. Whether she liked it or not Georgina was getting some help.
‘Where is she now? Has she gone off on one of her sulky
little walks or is she in her room pretending to be ill?’
‘She’s in her room Dad. There was some crashing about when she first went in but I haven’t heard a peep for ages. Mind you, she was fuming when she left the kitchen.’
‘I’ll give her fuming. She was going to hit you? I don’t believe it. Let’s see how fuming she is when I’ve had a word with her.’ David walked off leaving Lynnette and Leo alone.
‘Was she really that bad?’
‘Yes, she really was, she just snapped. I couldn’t believe it when I saw what she was doing at the noticeboard. The look on her face when she turned around and saw me; it was priceless. She didn’t know what to do with herself she was lost for words.’
‘Are you okay, it sounds scary?’
‘It was I suppose but we’ve been going around in circles for months. I’m glad it’s finally come to a head.’
They were interrupted by David stumbling into the garden, his face ashen.
‘Call an ambulance. Please, call an ambulance now!’
Chapter 29
It was almost five weeks before the dust had finally settled and they were able to say their last goodbyes. When they returned from the funeral, they sat quietly in the lounge and talked about good times so long ago.
Emily had been extremely upset when her Nana had died but, being resilient as little children often are, she was probably the most cheerful of them all. She became the life and soul of the party with little jokes and stories about “the best Nana in the world,” and very quickly raised the mood. Before long they were all much happier and they raised a glass to Georgina – Much missed and much loved.