by Annie Lyons
As luck would have it, Stanley’s neighbor Barbara has a cat who had recently delivered a litter of kittens. The Saturday before Rose’s birthday, Eudora and Stanley call ’round to collect her. Maggie opens the door, grinning conspiratorially.
“Rose!” she calls over her shoulder. “You have visitors!”
Rose bounces down the stairs as if on springs. “Eudora! Stanley! I’m so happy to see you. How was your trip, Eudora?”
Eudora glances at Stanley. “Actually, I only made it as far as the airport. I had a change of heart.”
“Oh. I’m sorry you missed out on your holiday.”
“It’s all right. And don’t worry, I still managed to buy this for you at the airport,” she says, handing over a large bar of Toblerone.
Rose’s eyes bulge. “Wow! That’s even bigger than the one Dad bought. Thank you. Shall we share it now?”
Eudora smiles. “Actually, we’d like to take you out for an early birthday surprise if you’re not busy?”
Rose looks fit to burst. “I love surprises. Is that okay, Mum?”
“Absolutely,” says Maggie, winking at Stanley.
“Cool. Let’s go!” she says, grabbing a fuchsia-pink bobble hat from the coat stand and plonking it on her head.
“Er, Rose,” says Eudora.
“Yes?” she replies, eyes bright with excitement.
“Stanley and I are well acquainted with your sartorial experiments, but I’m wondering if it might be wise for you to perhaps change out of your pajamas?”
Rose stares down at her rainbow-patterned nightwear and giggles. “Oh yeah. Give me two secs.”
Rose walks between Stanley and Eudora, nattering all the way. They cover every topic from David Attenborough (“I wish he’d marry my granny”) to the best flavors of Haribo (“tropical is nice but cherry’s better”). Eudora is struck by the realization that this chitchat would have been a great source of irritation to her three months ago but now she hangs on every precious word.
It takes them a while to reach Barbara’s house. Eudora blames the cold weather as she needs to pause to catch her breath on more than one occasion. These are the only moments when Rose breaks off her chattering.
“You okay, Eudora?” she asks, gently touching her elbow. Eudora nods as she regains her breath.
“Take your time, Eudora,” says Stanley. “No hurry.”
“Are we going to your house for tea?” asks Rose as they reach his front gate.
“Not today. It’s just a little farther.”
“So this must be the birthday girl,” says Barbara on opening the door. Eudora can hear a faint mewing as they enter the hall. Rose’s eyes widen. “Come through.”
They follow Barbara into the conservatory where six tiny kittens are play-fighting while their mother, a beautiful brown tabby, looks on. Rose gapes at Eudora and Stanley.
“Happy birthday, Rose,” says Eudora. “Now all you have to do is pick one.”
As Rose flings her arms around Eudora’s waist and whispers a heartfelt “thank you” before dissolving into a tidal wave of happy tears, Eudora understands the joy of grandmothers the world over. She wipes away her own stray tear and shares a smile with Stanley as Rose kneels down. The kittens nudge one another out of the way in a bid to climb onto her lap. One particularly small kitten, a tiny caramel-tabby chaos of fur with a smut of black on his nose, can’t get close. He sits behind the rest, staring up at Rose with luminous blue eyes. Rose reaches forward and picks him up. They stare at each other for a moment.
“Hello, Osman,” she says. “Would you like to be my cat?” The kitten mews in the affirmative. Rose beams.
“Osman?” asks Stanley, bemused.
“After Richard Osman,” says Eudora with authority.
“Well, he’s a lucky cat to be going to live with a family like yours,” says Barbara, smiling at them all.
“Yes,” says Eudora. “He certainly is.”
The following Saturday is Rose’s birthday party. Stanley calls to escort Eudora to the door.
“Are you keeping an eye on me?” she asks as he offers an arm. “Because you don’t need to worry. I’m not about to do a midnight flit.” Eudora’s not about to do anything particularly strenuous. She’s been feeling even more tired than usual lately. She puts it down to the change of season. Autumn can make one feel distinctly peaky.
Stanley grins. “No. I’m just being my usual chivalrous self. Sheila says I’m like a knight in shining armor.”
“How is Sheila?” asks Eudora.
“She’s great,” says Stanley. “I enjoy her company.”
“Very good,” says Eudora, ringing Rose’s doorbell.
The birthday party couldn’t have been more Rose-themed if Maggie had arranged for a live unicorn to appear. Everything sparkles with color and joy. There are unicorn balloons in each corner, a rainbow-shaped piñata, and a unicorn cake decorated with a golden horn and pastel pink roses. Shimmering silver, pink, and purple foil banners hang across the length of the room and an iridescent “Happy Birthday Rose” sign glimmers in the glow of the fairy lights, which Maggie has placed at regular intervals around the room.
“It’s like a grotto in here,” says Stanley as he enters, carrying a box-shaped parcel wrapped in pink glittery paper.
“I know. Isn’t it the best?” cries Rose, pirouetting around and around with sheer delight.
“We thought Rose deserved a special celebration this year,” says Maggie.
“Plus, there’s the other factor that once my beloved starts on something like this, she can’t stop,” says Rob.
“It’s why you love me,” says Maggie, nudging him in the ribs.
“I can’t deny it,” admits Rob.
“I think it’s wonderful,” says Eudora. “And may I say that you have excelled yourself with your outfit today, Rose.”
“I’m glad you like it, Eudora. I couldn’t decide which color to wear so I thought I would just put them all together at once,” she says.
“Dazzling,” says Eudora.
“I’m glad you’re both here,” says Rose. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Stanley and Eudora exchange glances. “This is a little extra something from Eudora and me,” says Stanley, holding out the parcel.
“But you already got me Osman,” says Rose, scooping up the kitten, who until that moment had been speeding around the room like a five-year-old after one Haribo too many.
“We didn’t like to come empty-handed today,” says Eudora. “Stanley saw it and we thought you’d like it.”
“Thank you,” says Rose, handing Eudora the kitten and accepting the gift. Osman nudges Eudora’s cheek. She inhales warm fur and precious life. Rose rips off the paper and opens the packaging inside to reveal a smooth honey-colored wooden box carved with letters and a pink rose design. “Rose’s Treasures,” she reads as she lifts the lid.
“How beautiful,” says Maggie.
“It’s a keepsake box,” explains Eudora. “For all your treasures and memories. I’ve got one of them at home. We thought you’d like it.”
Rose beams. “Thank you. I know exactly what to put in here first.” She leaps up and plucks a photograph from the fridge. “Daddy took it when we went to Broadstairs.” Eudora peers at the picture of Rose, Stanley, and her on the carousel.
“You look like the Queen,” says Stanley to Eudora. “All serene and dignified.”
“Naturally,” says Eudora. “Whereas you look like a loon.”
“What do I look like?” asks Rose, laughing.
“You look exactly as you do now. Happy and full of fun,” says Eudora.
Rose leans close, threading her arms around Eudora’s. “We all look happy.” Eudora nods with satisfaction.
The doorbell rings as the first guests arrive. Rose bounces down the hall to let them in and soon the room is filled with the excited chatter of ten- and eleven-year-olds. Eudora is surprised to see Jada among them, but Rose greets her with a friendly hug,
so she assumes that all is well. Rob puts on some music, which is too tinny and clamorous for Eudora’s taste but which the assembled company seems to enjoy. There are about ten children present and half of them are boys. Eudora recognizes one of them as the friendly boy from the café and notices too how easily he makes Rose laugh. After a time, Rob calls them to attention.
“Okay, guys, we’re going to play some games in a minute, but first I would like to present the magnificent, marvelous, magical Marvin!”
Eudora watches agog as Stanley appears from the back of the room wearing a bow tie, tuxedo, and top hat. “Hello, girls and boys!” he cries, pulling a plastic bouquet of flowers from his sleeve and handing it to Rose. She accepts the flowers with a giggle.
Eudora notices Jada, who is sitting on the floor right in front of Rose, whispering to the girl next to her. She overhears Jada’s barbed comment. “Games and a magic show? So lame.” The other girl rolls her eyes in agreement.
Stanley is now embarking on one of the most unconvincing magic shows Eudora has ever seen, but for some reason the children seem to be lapping it up.
“Pick a card, any card,” he says to Rose’s friend Tommy.
Tommy does as he is told.
“Okay, now you look at it but don’t show me. Now place the card back in the pile.”
Tommy follows his instructions. Stanley shuffles the pack before cutting it with a flourish. “Is this your card?”
“No,” says Tommy with regret.
“Oh my God,” whispers Jada to her sidekick. “This is embarrassing.”
Undeterred, Stanley cuts the pack again. “How about this one?”
“Er, no,” says Tommy.
“Okay,” says Stanley. “But what about this one?” He pulls a card from his inside pocket.
Tommy’s mouth drops open. “How did you do that?”
Stanley taps the side of his nose. “Magic, my friend. Pure magic.”
The audience erupts into whoops and cheers of delight. Even Jada claps along.
Maggie appears with Daisy in her arms and takes a seat next to Eudora on the sofa. “How’s he getting on?”
“Actually, he’s doing rather well,” says Eudora, smiling at Daisy, who reaches out her chubby arms. “Shall I take her for a while?”
“If that’s okay? She’s had a long nap and I’ve just changed her so you should be safe,” says Maggie, placing Daisy on Eudora’s lap. They eyeball each other for a moment before Eudora pulls a face and is rewarded with a throaty chuckle followed by a gummy kiss.
“It would seem that both my daughters are really quite fond of you, Eudora,” says Maggie.
Eudora strokes Daisy’s kitten-soft hair. “I can assure you that the feeling is mutual.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to go on your holiday,” says Maggie. “I hope you’re not too disappointed.”
“It wasn’t the right time,” says Eudora.
“Maybe next year, eh?”
Eudora watches as Stanley performs a trick with Rose as his assistant. He keeps handing her the wand, but every time Rose takes hold of it, it flops in half. Rose, along with most of the audience, is doubled over in hysterics. “I don’t think so. I’m too old for all that. I think I’ll stay put from now on.”
Maggie pats her hand. “I don’t think I told you, but Mum has met a nice man.”
“Oh. How do you feel about that?”
Maggie shrugs. “Well, obviously he’ll never replace Dad, but I’m pleased for Mum. She seems much happier.”
“That’s good. It’s important to grasp these moments of happiness whenever you can.”
“Aaa!” says Daisy.
“You see,” says Eudora, “Daisy agrees. Clever girl.”
After the magic show finishes to rapturous applause from everyone except Jada, Rob takes Stanley’s place at the front of the room. “Thank you, Magical Marvin, that was brilliant! Right, now we’re going to have a few games before food. So, if you could all sit in a circle, please.”
Jada stands up and folds her arms. “I don’t want to play games,” she says to Rob. “It’s babyish.”
A few of the other children look unsure. Eudora notices a flicker of panic dart across Rose’s face. “Don’t be boring, Jada,” says Tommy. “It’s Rose’s party and we’re having fun. If you don’t want to play, you can just sit out.”
Jada’s eyes boggle with fury. She glances at her sidekick. “What about you, Amy?”
Amy shrugs. “I like playing games. They’re doing that chocolate one where you have to throw a six and eat it with a knife and fork. I want to play.”
“Why don’t you come and sit by me,” says Eudora.
Jada isn’t used to being challenged but can see she has little choice. “’Kay. Can I hold the baby?” she asks, plonking herself beside Eudora and holding out her arms.
Daisy stares at Jada as she’s passed onto her lap before grabbing a handful of her hair and giving it a sharp tug.
“Ow!” cries Jada. If Eudora didn’t know better, she would swear Daisy was doing it out of loyalty to her sister.
“Oh dear,” says Eudora, gently prying Daisy’s hand away. “Now, Daisy, that’s not very friendly, is it?”
“It’s okay,” says Jada. “She didn’t mean to do it.”
“No,” says Eudora. “She’s only a baby. She can’t possibly take responsibility for her actions. But you can, Jada.”
Jada gives Eudora a sideways glance. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that we all have choices. You do too. My advice is to choose kindness above everything else.”
Jada frowns. “’Kay.”
Eudora fixes her with a steady gaze. “I am very old, so I can say exactly what I think. I’m probably going to die soon too, and I promise you that if you are unkind to Rose or anyone else, for that matter, I will come back and haunt you. And not in a nice way. Be kind, Jada. Always be kind.”
Jada seems to shrink at her words but gives a barely discernible nod.
“Eeee!” squeaks Daisy.
“That’s right, Daisy,” says Eudora. “Jada is a clever girl and has understood exactly what she needs to do from now on. Now, why don’t you go and join in, dear? You don’t want to miss all the fun.”
Jada passes Daisy back to Eudora and goes to join the other children, who are now out in the garden, attacking the piñata. Eudora watches as Rose takes a step back and offers Jada the stick. She accepts with a smile, hitting the piñata with all her might. A handful of sweets fall to the floor. Jada picks up one and offers it to Rose. “Very good,” murmurs Eudora.
“Remind me why we agreed to have this party in the first place,” says Rob, peeling a fruit pastille from the bottom of his shoe later that afternoon.
Maggie gestures toward the garden where Stanley, Rose, and Tommy are blowing up balloons, screeching with laughter as they let go and watch them fart majestically around the garden. “That’s why,” she tells him.
“Oh yeah,” he says with a grin.
The doorbell rings. “That’ll be Tommy’s mum,” says Maggie, heading toward the hall. “She said she’d be a bit late. She’s coming straight from work.”
“Shall I take her from you?” says Rob to Eudora, who is still on the sofa with a sleeping Daisy nestled in her arms.
“I’m fine for now,” she says. “You finish clearing up.” In actual fact, Eudora is perfectly content. Daisy’s steady breathing is calming and peaceful. She relishes her time here with this family and knows that they feel the same.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” says Tommy’s mum, following Maggie into the kitchen. “I got held up at work.”
“It’s no problem at all. They’re happy as anything.”
Tommy’s mum beams at Eudora. “Ahh bless, look at the babby with her nan.”
Maggie flashes an amused look at Eudora, who purses her lips into a smile.
“Tommy! Time to go.”
“Aww, Mum. Do we have to?” he groans, sloping in from the garden followe
d by Stanley and Rose.
“Yes, Tommy. Did you ask Rose about next weekend?”
Tommy traces a pattern with his foot on the floor. “No.”
“Well, go on then. Don’t be shy,” says his mum.
Tommy turns to Rose. “Rose, would you like to come to the cinema to see the new Avengers movie and then go to Nando’s afterward?” he asks in a quick-fire robotic voice.
“I told Tommy he could ask one friend and he chose Rose,” says his mum, smiling.
Rose glances at Maggie, who gives an emphatic nod. “I would love that. Thank you!” she says.
Tommy’s mum ruffles his hair. “See? I told you she’d say yes. Okay, we’d better go. Say thank you, Tommy.”
“Thank you,” he says, his neck flushing pink.
“You’re welcome,” says Rob, following them out to the door.
Rose scoops up Osman from under her feet and flops down next to Eudora on the sofa. “Best. Birthday. Ever.”
“I’m very pleased to hear it,” says Eudora. “And everything is all right with Jada?”
“Mhmm,” says Rose. “I thought about what you said and I’m not just going to stick with her. I’m going to be friends with everyone. It’s better that way.”
“You’re wise beyond your years, Rose. Tommy seems very nice.”
“He is. Boys are plonkers but they’re funny too.”
Eudora glances up at Stanley. “They can be,” she says. “Now, it’s time I went home.”
“Come along then, your majesty,” says Stanley, as Eudora hands Daisy to Rob. “I’ll help you up and see you home.”
“It’s only next door,” says Eudora, shuffling to the front of her seat and taking hold of her stick.
“Yes, but a gentleman must always escort a lady,” says Stanley, helping her to a standing position. “Are you okay?”
A wave of dizziness sweeps over Eudora. She grasps his arm for support. “I’m fine. I just got up a little too quickly.”
After they say their goodbyes, Eudora allows Stanley to lend an arm as she makes the short walk home. She tells herself that the breathlessness is down to tiredness. It’s been a long, exciting day. She needs tea and rest. Eudora is grateful as Stanley helps her up the front step.