A Family Affair

by Marilyn McPherson

Chapter Seven

  “Tom”, a curious and mature voice called out. “Tommy, are you home? It's your mother.”

  Tom Bradley's mother used her spare key to enter his house, as she normally would on any given night of the week. But tonight was a little different, as she was accompanied by a young, nervous-looking lady who followed her closely. The young lady was wearing her best silk shirt and matching skirt, and had especially styled her hair for the occasion.

  Margaret Bradley was used to Tom arriving home anytime between seven and eight o’clock. Margaret looked at her watch. It was ten minutes past eight o'clock and so she had no doubt that he would be home already. She knew Tom would most likely be found in his library at this time of the night, looking over business papers from the day.

  “Tom, I have a surprise for you,” Margaret called out. “Helen Logan's daughter, Mary, you remember Mary don't you, from the country club. The two of you once had a short drink together. Anyway she has recently moved back to Melbourne and wasn't doing anything tonight and so I've asked her to join us for dinner.”

  Margaret gave Mary a smile. She had been trying to get the two of them together for weeks now.

  “I really think the two of you will have a lot in common,” she said to Mary firmly, while nudging her gently. “You will probably forget that I am even here after a while.”

  Margaret entered the library entrance and to her dismay, found Tom's desk empty. “I wonder where he could be?” she asked Mary.

  Mary shrugged in response.

  “I hope he hasn't eaten dinner early. Perhaps I should have called.”

  Margaret paused for a moment and pondered that thought. It would be unusual for Tom to have eaten dinner at this hour, and calling really wasn't necessary, as her son was a man who enjoyed a strict daily routine.

  “Let’s try the kitchen, Mary. Tom's housekeeper Estella, even though she is Spanish, will often cook a spicy Thai dish on Monday night, and perhaps he is chatting to her in the kitchen while she prepares it.” Margaret and her female companion headed towards the kitchen.

  Margaret liked to stay involved with Tom's life. She liked to hear every little detail about his day, and would often ask about the people, although more often the women, he had met that day. Although fiercely protective of Tom, Margaret longed for him to meet the right sort of woman to complete his life. Alas, Tom was choosy with women and many of the fine ladies to whom she had introduced him were not in the picture for very long.

  Margaret thought Mary to be a suitable match for Tom because the Logans were a respectable and very wealthy family with a reputation for strong family values. Margaret had known Mrs Logan for years through her association with the Riverview Golf Club. The two mothers had talked Mary into this dinner engagement, and were only a few steps away from talking about the expected nuptials. Tom and Mary had met many years ago briefly, and Margaret remembered Tom saying back then that she was a lovely young woman.

  “Estella, there you are!” Tom's maid scuttled past them with a broom and sponge. “Where would my son be tonight please?”

  “Oh, Mrs Bradley! I see you have brought a companion for dinner again.” Estella paused for a moment, looking over at Mary with apprehension. She phrased her next sentence slowly and carefully. “I think Tom has dinner plans already...”

  “Estella,” said Margaret firmly, cutting the housekeeper off, “we are here to see Tom, and see Tom is exactly what we are going to do. I'm sure Tom would like to talk to Mary again after all these years.” Margaret nodded towards Mary proudly. “Now is Tom in the kitchen?” she asked firmly, using the most intimidating tone of voice she could muster.

  “Yes ma’am”, replied Estella, defeated.

  Margaret marched towards the kitchen with Mary in toe, looking more apprehensive than before.

  “I'm on my way to the kitchen too, Mrs Bradley,” Estella continued. “The two of them have made quite a mess in there.”

  Just as Margaret was wondering what Estella's last sentence was all about, a young girl came stumbling out of the kitchen screaming and laughing. She was completely covered in flour. Her hair was sticky and she fell against the hallway wall laughing and clutching her stomach.

  “Oh my lord! What is going on here?” Margaret was shocked and was very confused by the young woman. This was not the sort of behaviour to be tolerated in Tom's house. The staff were usually much better behaved.

  The young girl stopped laughing almost immediately when their eyes met.

  “Mum, is that you?” Tom called out from the kitchen in a friendly tone. He came out of the kitchen smiling and laughing at the girl covered in food. Tom’s face and shirt was also covered in flour, but not nearly as much.

  He then looked up and noticed his mother's female companion, and his mood changed instantly. His smile disappeared and his face hardened. “Oh, for goodness sake. Now Mother, how many times have I asked you not to set me up on blind dates?” Tom erupted. “And blind dates that you don't even tell me about, this is a new low. And come to think of it, I have also asked you to call before you come over.” Tom then enunciated slowly and angrily, “You need to give me some bloody space Mother!” Tom's face was starting to turn red from anger and embarrassment.

  “Well I don't know what is going on here with this grubby young child who is looking such a mess but,” and her tone softened, “this is not a blind date at all. You have met Helen Logan's daughter before, do you remember?” Margaret was surprised by her son's outburst, but not put off. “The two of you have a lot in common,” she added determinably.

  Margaret noticed that the young girl against the wall, who was still covered in food, started to look uncomfortable, and shifted from foot to foot. Margaret wondered who she was, and what she was hired to do exactly.

  “No Mother, I do not remember meeting..” Tom shouted, then hesitated, and Margaret realised that he indeed could not remember Mary's name.

  “Her name is Mary!” his mother filled in the blank, suddenly feeling very embarrassed by her son's attitude towards Mary. “And I have just finished telling Mary about what a gentleman my son is. Please take a moment to compose yourself Tom, and let's start again, shall we?”

  Tom looked at his mother angrily and then cast a glance at Mary. “I'm sorry,” Tom said in a quieter tone to her. “My mother has wasted your time tonight because she did not tell me that you would be coming over. And as you can see, I already have a dinner guest.”

  Margaret looked horrified. “You have what? Who is this girl, Tom?”

  Tom ignored the question and went on, “It's nothing personal, Mary. I hope you understand.”

  Mary nodded, but looked altogether uncomfortable with the situation. “Of course,” she said softly. “I'm very sorry. I would never have come over if your mother had not been so insistent.”

  “Tom”, Ellen asked quietly from behind. “Should I leave?”

  Tom turned around to face the girl next to the wall. “No. Please don't, Elle.”

  Margaret saw their eye contact and felt very confused. “Well, who is this, Tommy?” Margaret questioned her son. “Have you hired a new girl for the kitchen? Because if you have, I think you should fire her right now. She obviously can't cook. I mean she has spilt food everywhere.”

  “You don't know what you are talking about,” he replied fiercely.

  Margaret felt her own anger rising. “Well then, please enlighten us! Why are you cavorting around covered in food with this young child?” Margaret suddenly started to suspect that the young woman might be her son's date for the evening, and was shocked. She felt betrayed that her son was keeping this new relationship from her, although she would never have approved of a woman so young, even if she had been properly consulted.

  “I'll tell you what is going on here, Mother,” Tom replied indignantly. “I am a grown man and do not require your parental supervision in my own home. So I am going to walk both of you to the door and bid you goodnight. Let’s go.”

&nbs
p; He turned to Ellen and said in a softer tone, “I'll be back in a sec, okay?”

  As soon as Mary was out of the front door and out of earshot, Margaret reached for her son. “Tommy, please. Please don't treat your mother like this.”

  “Mother”, Tom replied. “I am not a young boy anymore that needs to ask for your permission. I will see whomever I choose. Do you understand?”

  “But that girl is too young for you!” Margaret exclaimed. “And we don't know anything about her family.”

  “You have thoroughly embarrassed me tonight, Mother. So, I'm only going to say this to you once, so please listen. If you come around uninvited once more, I will have the locks changed.”

  “Tommy, please, don't be ridiculous.” Margaret thought for a moment. “Just think about what you're doing, that's all I'm asking.” Margaret kissed her son on the cheek. “I will call you tomorrow son”.

  Tom seemed to be glad that she was leaving without more of a fight. “Goodnight, Mother. Goodnight, Mary.”