The Woman Who Kept Everything

by Jane Gilley

  ‘Here look, Joe. I’ve got yer locket on. It was a grand surprise, I can tell you. Prettiest thing I ever been given, it is, ducks. Thanks a million. And these are my best mates, Jocelyn, Tilsbury and his bro’ Marvin. Told you the story, there, haven’t I?’ She chuckled, leaving the four of them with her eyebrows raised.

  She went up to a man standing nervously by himself.

  ‘Thanks for coming, Ron. You’ve helped me out no end so I want you to enjoy yourself this afternoon. There’s plenty of food and drink too. Look, let me introduce ya to someone you probably haven’t seen in a while. She’s here with her ex-husband and her new boyfriend and – get this – they happen to be brothers! Yeah. It’s certainly very interestin’ round these parts! Ha, ha!’

  ‘Why, Ron Byrd! Well I never thought I’d be rubbin’ shoulders with you at any party!’ said Jocelyn with a big smile. ‘You’ve been helpin’ our Glor, though, haven’t ya?’

  Sixties’ music blared out from the disco speakers the hotel had hired and the revellers were foot tapping or making brave attempts at modern moves on the dance floor, encouraged by Jessie.

  A smiling Gloria went up to Tilsbury and hugged him. His face was clean-shaven and she even smelled a hint of aftershave. She was pleased he’d scrubbed up for the occasion.

  ‘So, ducks, bit of a change of events from a few months back! And um thanks for them little gold star earrings you gave me. Jocelyn said you’ve been savin’ up for them for ages. Probably the only things you ain’t nicked in a while, too, huh?’

  Tilsbury hid his blush with a huge grin. ‘Pleased ya appreciate them. Thought you’d like ’em.’

  ‘I do, ducks!’

  ‘Must say you’re looking good for eighty, old gal!’

  ‘Oi, less of the old, Tils. Think I’ve found my mojo or summat. Feel more alive than I have for years. It started with that chilly swim that day. And everythin’ else that happened, happened because of that crazy swim. That’s why we’re here now. That’s why I’ve got me little flat, here. Because of you.’

  She kissed his cheek.

  ‘So you’re not bowled over by that Joe then. Seems keen on ya.’

  ‘No, Tils. He’s not keen on me. He misses his Carol. They were wed for sixty-one years. Think it did him good to get me that locket. He wasn’t thinking about his Carol for once. I were thrilled with it too, mind. Ain’t never had nothing that beautiful before. Givin’ things is good for the soul, Tils. But everythin’ that’s happened to me of late is down to you. You started that ball rollin’, ya did, I’m happy to say.’

  ‘That’s right. Blame me for everything!’ Tilsbury grinned.

  Gloria took his hand. ‘But it’s a good blame, isn’t it? Anyway, I want a word with ya. Did you sort summat out with social services about yer accommodation? Jocelyn told me you’d been having problems with them.’

  Tilsbury shrugged. ‘I’m not an unwed youngster with six kids in tow nor an old boy with dementia yet, is all. They’ve put me on a waiting list but told me it could be a long time before anything comes up. But it’s a start. Things had to change. I’ve been bumming around for far too long, Glor. Should’ve got summat sorted years ago, like our Lily,’ he said referring to his sister. ‘But life happens, as you know.’

  At that moment there was a loud clanging and everyone turned to see Charlie, the manager, banging a gong and saying it was time to propose a toast.

  ‘Grab yer glasses, lads and lasses. It’s time to toast the good health of this young lady here who is eighty today! Happy birthday to Gloria!’

  ‘Happy birthday, Gloria!’ they all said obediently.

  ‘She wants me to propose a toast to all her friends and new-found friends as well. And tells me the next time she sees you all will be back down in Eastbourne on yer holidays next July! So cheers to that, everyone!’

  Shouts and whoops went up. Everyone clapped. Someone popped a balloon. Freda patted Gloria on her back.

  ‘Wow, love. You’re coming back again then?’

  ‘Course I am, ducks. Wouldn’t miss a treat like that for nothin’. I loved it. Plus I’ve not been on one of those fast RIB tours yet down the seafront!’

  ‘Ha, ha. So pleased, Gloria,’ said Joe. ‘It would be a real shame if this was the last time we got to see ya.’

  Joe walked over to Charlie and had a quick word.

  ‘Okay, lads and lasses, just one more toast, from Joe and the rest of the Eastbourne Holiday Team and that’s to say a big thank you for inviting them all to your party and for the marvellous spread you put on for them and many thanks, also, for paying for their rooms so everyone could stay the night. So cheers and thanks again.’

  ‘Cheers and thanks, Gloria! You’re a good ’un,’ everyone yelled.

  They all raised their glasses and cheered, and it was at that precise moment Clegg and Val walked through the door.

  Chapter 37

  Adam looked sheepish.

  ‘I’m sorry, Gran. Mum still cleans my room, you see. Oh, don’t look at me like that, Grandma – I do it myself, sometimes! But she saw one of the invites.’

  Gloria’s frown relaxed. She didn’t feel angry with Adam. It wasn’t his fault. Perhaps it was wrong to have included the children in her scheme. Their loyalty was with their mum and dad, as it should be, of course. And, well, at least Clegg and Val had bothered to show up. Possibly Clegg decided to come because Gloria was doing something that wasn’t costing them anything for once. But Gloria understood that.

  ‘There’s food and drinks over there, Val. Help yourself, love.’

  Val reached forward and gave Gloria a cursory hug. ‘He had forgotten, you know. But he insisted we were coming,’ Val whispered.

  ‘S’all right, love. Don’t really mind now you’re both here. The kids’ll like it. It’s family stuff anyway, innit, love?’

  Clegg stood in front of Gloria but she put a sharp finger up.

  ‘Don’t say a ruddy thing, son. This is my party and I’ll not have any argy-bargy. Now go and get summat to eat and we’ll talk later.’

  She walked over to Dot, who was wearing a pale blue polka dot dress two sizes too big for her. Perhaps she liked wearing dresses with a bit of room in them.

  ‘So how’re you liking Sheringham then, ducks?’

  ‘I’m likin’ it fine. We all went for a walk round when our families dropped us off this morning. Pretty little place but the sea is not the same nice colour as Eastbourne. Here, but your mates Jocelyn and Marvin say they’re thinking of coming on the next trip?’

  ‘Yes they told me they fancied it. They’d love it, too. Oh, ’scuse me, Dot. I just want a quick word with my friend Tils. See ya in five.’

  Gloria caught hold of Tilsbury’s arm and whisked him outside.

  ‘Here, you ambushing me?’

  ‘I am, Tils, and the reason for it is simple. I would like you to move into my new flat with me. It’s only one bedroom but it’s a large room and it’ll take twin beds and –’

  ‘Hang on! Slow down, love. What’re ya sayin’?’

  ‘Look, Tils. Now my house is sold and I’ve got me money sorted out, I’m renting that flat for six months to see if I like it round here. Well, I know I do, already. I love it lots. Anyways there’s no reason for you to still be dossin’ when you can stay here with me. But only if ya want. I don’t want to be pushin’ ya into summat ya don’t want to do. But I think it’s a great solution. Plus you’re me best friend, apart from Jocelyn, and we could have some crackin’ times here.’

  ‘Yup. But that’s only potentially for six months. What happens after that? Me whole life has been stopping off places for a while and then movin’ on. I’m getting a bit old for all that now, love.’

  ‘Yes but I’ve got the option to buy it outright, after that. And it’s not one of them buy-to-rent schemes for the elderly. It’s a proper normal purchase, so it’d be totally mine. So that means no more renting and it’ll be mine forever. Just like before. Only better. And I really fancy doin’ just t
hat. I think I’m gonna love livin’ here all the time, Tils. And I think you would too if you just thought about it. Look, I don’t want ya to give me an answer today. Just think about it. Think about what you want outta life too, Tils. I know you’re a bit of a wanderin’ soul, ducks. And you could still wander a bit, if ya want. But it’d be somewhere to rest yer head, at the end of the day.’

  Tilsbury nodded slowly. ‘Aye, I’ll have a think about it, love. I’ve been thinking about a lot of things these last few months. I’ll let ya know but thanks for that, love.’

  * * *

  ‘So what do ya think, Val? Pretty nice, innit?’

  Val admitted that Gloria’s new home was very nice indeed. ‘Yes, you’ve done very well here, Gloria. It’s bright. It’s modern. Easy to keep looking fresh and clean, isn’t it, Clegg, love?’

  Clegg hadn’t said much since he’d arrived in Sheringham. He wasn’t openly impressed by much under ordinary circumstances. Gloria thought it was because he wasn’t into lots of change and suddenly everything around him was changing. And not necessarily for the better, in his eyes.

  Yet that’s how life went sometimes, Gloria knew. But she was interested to learn what he had to say.

  ‘All I’ll say to you, Mother, is this. If it all starts again – if you start draggin’ a whole load more crap in because you want to give it a home for some crazy notion or other – I will be exertin’ my right to put you away somewhere safe. It’s all nice and pretty, this, I’ll give you that. But we don’t have the time nor inclination to deal with any more crap from you. It cost me a bomb last time. And I’m not puttin’ up with any more of your nonsense ever again.’

  Gloria nodded thoughtfully.

  ‘It’s a shame nothing loving ever comes outta yer mouth, Cleggy. I mean I’d like to think I’ve changed. I know I heard what they said at Green’s Nursin’ Home. I don’t feel as though I want to start draggin’ crap in again. I hope I don’t. But where is yer compassion for my situation, son? It’s a wonder Adam and Jessie grew up to be the lovely people they have, with you spillin’ yer guts at every turn –’

  ‘Yes. About them, Mother?’

  ‘What about them, Clegg?’

  ‘Their future. Their education? You can’t cut them out just because you and I don’t get on!’

  ‘My God! What is wrong with you, boy? Is life all about money to you? Not about people and feelings? Well if that’s the case, all I’ve got say to you, Cleggy, is this: when they come to me individually and discuss what they want to do with their lives – and I make a point about the word THEIR – I will make a decision about what I’m going to do for them. You’ll get no say in it. And just to let you know, I’ve already had an initial conversation with both of them. So they both know the situation.’

  Val nodded. ‘I agree with that, Cleggy, I’m afraid. Jessie really wants to be a hairdresser. So I’m with both of them on that score. So that’s great, Gloria. Thank you for that.’

  ‘You’re welcome, Val. I think you and I should keep some lines of conversation open in the future, but here’s the thing: as for you, Cleggy, I don’t want to see you or hear from you regarding anything over the next few months. And yes that includes Christmas,’ Gloria said, pausing to take a deep breath. ‘You’ve never invited me round to yours for a Christmas meal since Arthur went. What a shame, keeping me from the kids. What a shame keeping me out of your lives. It’s affected how I feel about things now. But I will let you know this one thing: I had a look at some of yer paperwork when I got back from me travels. So I know how much ya got outstandin’on yer mortgage. It’s not so much. So my Christmas present to the both of youse, because I’m still yer ruddy mother at the end of the day, is that I’ll pay it off. But then you’ll see no more of my money. That’s it. And I do think that you, Val, should stick up for yourself more with Cleggy and not let him take advantage. He needs to learn some manners. He’s always been a bit of a twat. Now get out of my house!’

  Chapter 38

  When the sun shone down on the east coast the sea could become a deep teal colour. It would probably never be that Mediterranean turquoise or Eastbourne blue but it certainly looked welcoming enough.

  It was where Gloria lived now. And Sheringham had easily become her home, as she’d known all along that it would. She loved it here. She often walked down the front with Jessie or Adam and had even been pleased to take that same walk with Val on a few occasions. They got on so much better now.

  Unfortunately, Gloria hadn’t seen Tilsbury in a while and he hadn’t said whether he intended to move in with her or not. But, she realised, she might just need to give him more time to work that one out for himself. Maybe the idea of putting down roots would be a big thing for Tilsbury to have to deal with because he’d never done it before.

  However, Gloria enjoyed her walks with Val now. They sometimes went for a cuppa and even managed to go shopping together on one occasion, which Gloria had thoroughly enjoyed. She’d secretly wished she’d had a daughter after Cleggy. Partly to even the odds, but more so she could’ve shared things like cosy shopping trips with her. Val had started opening up to her, about things, now they were friendly with each other. She’d also agreed that Clegg was a bully but admitted their rows never changed how he viewed the world or life. He would always be his own inimitable self whether the rest of them liked that fact or not.

  ‘Paying off our mortgage has taken away some of our headaches. We’ve paid off a few other debts that were mounting as well. So I’m full of gratitude for that, Gloria. Thank you!’

  ‘Well sure, Val. We’ve none of us ever been rich or had money, love. But when my grandmother left me that house I never imagined all the grief it would cause nor how much it’d sell for. It’s more money than I could ever hope for. And I didn’t want to just cling on to it for myself, you know. I wanted to share it. Give a bit to others. Of course I wanted to help me family and you’re all me family even though there have been problems. We’re not unique in havin’ problems, though, are we? All families go through it. But I can’t get me head round how mean Cleggy is to me. I’ve even proved I’m not dragging stuff straight back into me flat, so why does he still resent me? Why is there never a kind word from him? And it does hurt, even though I don’t show it, love. Have you any inklin’ as to why he’s like it, love?’

  Val pulled a face and looked down at her feet as she walked.

  ‘The one thing I do know about him is that he’s never really got on with authority, of any description. That stint in the army might have made him bullish but he was lucky enough to get a decent job, afterwards, as security guard at his company. But perhaps it’s too rigid for him. Perhaps he should’ve got a different type of job when he left. But that’s all he could get at the time. Problem is, there’s no creativity or friendliness there per se and they certainly don’t go out to buy cakes when it’s someone’s birthday! I personally think he no longer wants to be the big guy that everybody goes to for help. When we were first married it was all so different. He was more light-hearted and joyful then. Yet he’s not too bad with the kids.’

  ‘You’re right, love. Life was better for all of us, in those days, when Arthur was alive. It fell off after that, though, didn’t it?’

  ‘It did. And I don’t know how it happened, I’m sorry to say, Gloria. Maybe it was the death of his father that did it. Though I never saw him upset about losin’ his dad. But men are like that, sometimes, aren’t they? Keep things to themselves. And even though, for me, nursing is totally consuming, I probably should’ve paid more attention to what was happening to us all. But until your electrics blew, I didn’t even realise there was a real problem. And as for us not inviting you round for Christmas, I guess I’m just as much to blame, you see. But we were always so busy. Too busy to see what was going on right under our noses, I guess.’ Val sighed, apologetically.

  Gloria nodded in agreement. ‘Yes, well, I’m afraid I did think you were partly to blame for that, ducks. I did feel you should�
�ve insisted on havin’ me round.’

  ‘I know, Gloria. It was wrong of me. But unfortunately Clegg’s exact words were, “She don’t wash no more. Stinks to high heaven!” And I did think it would’ve made everyone feel extremely uncomfortable, I’m sorry to say. Clegg’s a proud man – stupid sometimes, granted – but extremely proud and I don’t think your predicament sat well with him. In short, if I’m honest, I don’t think he knew how to deal with it.’

  ‘Uh-huh. Well I’m sorry I made you all embarrassed, love.’

  ‘Well I’m sorry about things too, Gloria. But everything’s been sorted out now and you will be coming for Christmas with us this year – if you’d like. I will be puttin’ my foot down about that in future!’

  ‘Well thank you, Val, but I think we’ll play future Christmases by ear. I’m going to help out at a soup kitchen, this year. Thought I’d like to give summat back to folk in a way that’s useful.’

  Val stopped and stared at Gloria, as if seeing her in a new light.

  ‘Oh wow! What a marvellous thing to do, Gloria! Jessie and I did that one year – she wanted to do it. And they all get to join up and have a meal together, afterwards, don’t they?’

  ‘They’ve said so, so I’m lookin’ forward to that. Plus they say they’ll come get me and drop me back later. So I’m pleased about that, too.’

  ‘Well that’s inspirin’ stuff, Gloria. You should feel proud of yourself for doin’ that.’

  ‘Aye, lass. I am, actually.’

  Chapter 39

  ‘So you’ve not heard from him either then, ducks?’ Gloria said, when she rang Jocelyn.

  ‘No I ain’t, Glor, and it’s not like him, is it!’ said Jocelyn worriedly. ‘I mean we even miss him nickin’ stuff! I’m even thinkin’ about ringin’ the police, just in case summat’s happened to him.’

  ‘Gawd. It’s worryin’. So how long’s he been gone, Joss?’