Family Divided

by Allen, Anne

  there’s a pretty penny in the bank too. You could afford to cruise around the world for the rest of your lives if

  you wished.’

  ‘Now that does sound like a good idea! Your mother wouldn’t need to cook or clean and we could live like

  lords,’ Jim said, chuckling. ‘I’ll tell you one thing, son, I don’t want to live in his big house. Wouldn’t feel

  comfortable. How about I give it to you?’

  Andy gasped. ‘What? Very generous of you, Dad, but I wouldn’t want it either. You could put it up for sale and

  buy something more to your taste, and still have money over. Unless you do decide to spend your life at sea, then

  you won’t need a house.'

  Jim grinned and they drove back to St Sampson to tell Yvette the good news.

  Half an hour later, Andy left his parents happily discussing cruises versus land-based holidays and drove

  back to his office. His own reason for celebration bubbled away inside, and he could hardly contain his

  happiness, wanting to shout it to the world. Another twenty-four hours and he could proudly present his

  beautiful fiancée to his parents. Now that would be a shock for them. Andy knew his mother was anxious for him

  to settle down and give her grandchildren, which he fervently wanted himself. He had not dared to hope

  Charlotte would want a family, after all she was thirty-nine and had her business to run. When she said she

  would like to try he was over the moon, wanting it to happen as soon as possible. But he had been truthful when

  he said he wanted her even if there couldn’t be children. He counted himself a lucky man to have won her love.

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  Then he recalled they still hadn’t discussed the thorny subject of where they lived. Not something he was

  keen to bring up. He had thought he would live in his cottage forever, had done much of the work himself. And

  he didn’t want Charlotte throwing her money around, either. Gripping the steering wheel, he wondered how

  they were going to resolve it. All he knew was he didn’t want to lose her.

  ~ ~

  Charlotte twisted and turned, checking her reflection in the mirror. She had decided a skirt and jacket would be

  the better option for meeting her future in-laws, a more feminine look, and more likely to be approved of by the

  French Yvette. She didn’t realise how nervous she was until Andy came into the room unexpectedly and she

  jumped.

  He looked amused. ‘I don’t know why you’re so anxious about creating the right impression, I’m the one

  you’re marrying and anyway, they’ll love you on sight. Just like me,’ he said, grabbing her and giving her a kiss.

  ‘It’s all very well for you to say, but you wait until you have to face my mother tomorrow and then we’ll see

  who’s nervous,’ she teased.

  ‘You’re right, I am scared of facing your mother, the Lady Annette Townsend no less, and telling her I’m

  marrying her daughter. She doesn’t sound the type to be impressed by a mere architect,’ he replied, widening

  his eyes in mock fear.

  Charlotte laughed. ‘I don’t think my mother’s bothered who I marry and if a mere architect is good enough for

  me, then it’s all that matters. Now, be serious and tell me if I look okay?’ She swirled round and he gave her the

  thumbs up.

  ‘Come on or we’ll be late and Mum hates people being late for a meal. I’m hoping she’s cooked one of her

  French specials in honour of le petite amie. God knows what she’d serve up if she knew you’re my fiancée!’

  She grabbed her bag and followed him downstairs, picking up the bouquet of flowers she had bought earlier.

  Andy collected a bottle of Krug from the fridge before locking up. Charlotte, glancing at the heavy grey clouds,

  hoped the threatened rain would hold off for the afternoon, any moisture would turn her smooth waves to frizz

  in seconds. She fiddled with the ring under her glove while Andy drove through the middle of the island towards

  St Sampson, along roads new to her. The car was soon filled with the perfume of the oriental lilies in the

  bouquet, reminding Charlotte of her mother’s hothouse at home. Although her passion was roses, Annette liked

  to grow a few exotic flowers in her hothouse, often filled with an almost overpowering mix of scents from the

  result of her efforts. Or, to be more exact, those of the gardener.

  Thinking of her now, Charlotte wondered how tomorrow’s lunch would pan out, not feeling quite as

  confident as she had sounded earlier. Deciding it was silly to worry now, she focused instead on the music

  playing on the CD and was soon carried along by Amy Winehouse, accompanied by an off-key Andy. Minutes

  later he pulled into the small drive of a semi-detached cottage in a lane not far from St Sampson Harbour, or the

  Bridge as the locals called it. As Charlotte stepped out of the car she saw a curtain twitch and smiled at Andy.

  ‘Someone’s checking me out.’

  Taking her hand he led her to the front door, which opened before he could ring the bell.

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  The slim, attractive woman, wearing a mid-length skirt and silky blouse, received a kiss from Andy, then

  turned and smiled at her. ‘Hello, you must be Charlotte. I’m Yvette, please, do come in,’ she said, opening the

  door wide.

  ‘Pleased to meet you…Yvette. These are for you,’ she said, thrusting the bouquet into her arms.

  ‘Oh, they are beautiful, thank you.’ They exchanged kisses. ‘Come, my husband is in here.’ She pointed to the

  sitting room and Andy, still holding her hand, went in. Yvette disappeared, presumably to put the flowers in

  water. As Charlotte entered, a thin grey-haired man with smiling brown eyes, stood up slowly and shook her

  hand. The skin of his hand felt rough and calloused but the grip was firm. She liked him immediately.

  ‘Charlotte, that’s a nice name. Mine’s Jim. Please sit down, Yvette will be back in a minute.’

  She sat on the sofa next to Andy, who had nodded at his father before sitting down. She hoped Yvette would

  return soon, feeling awkward sitting there with her gloves on. Andy had just opened his mouth when Yvette

  bustled in to join them.

  ‘ Alors, how lovely it is to meet a friend of Andy’s. Is it a long time you have known each other?’

  Andy cleared his throat. ‘A few months. Actually, Maman, I…we’ve got something to tell you both. Charlotte

  and I are engaged.’ He lifted her hand, removing the glove to display the sparkling stones.

  Yvette’s hand flew to her mouth and Jim’s jaw dropped. For a moment both were speechless and then Yvette

  reached over to embrace first Charlotte and then Andy, saying, ‘I am so happy for you both. But such a surprise.

  Andy, such a bad boy you are to say nothing!’ She tapped his arm.

  Jim offered his congratulations, his face split in a wide smile. Andy reached into the bag at his feet and pulled

  out the Krug. ‘Shall we have a glass to celebrate? Or is lunch ready, Maman?’

  ‘Oh, lunch will wait! S’il vous plait Andy, fetch the glasses and we will have an aperitif, non?’ Yvette’s face was

  flushed with pleasure and Charlotte hoped her own mother would be as happy with the news. After they had

  raised their glasses in a toast, Andy told his parents how he and Charlotte had become close over the weeks.

  Even Jim’s eyes misted over while Andy talked and Yvette had to dab at the occasional tear. The story continued

  once lunch – coq au vin – was served and by the time she and Andy left, Charlo
tte was left in no doubt she was a

  welcome addition to the family. Hugs and kisses, accompanied by cries of ‘come again soon’, enveloped her as

  she stood at the front door. Andy gently propelled her out and into the car, returning the waves of his excited

  parents as they drove away.

  ‘Phew! Sorry about that, hope you didn’t find them too much. But Mum is French so…’ he shrugged.

  ‘I thought they were lovely and you’re lucky to have such loving parents. You might find meeting my mother

  will be rather different. And,’ she said laughing, ‘I suspect it won’t be long before Yvette will be asking you if

  there’s likely to be any petit enfants on the horizon.’

  ‘Well, we’re working on that, aren’t we?’ he said, stroking her thigh. ‘Perhaps we shouldn’t delay the wedding,

  just in case.’

  ‘Mm, fine by me, as long as my mother’s stable I’d be happy to make it soon. Let’s see how she is tomorrow

  and we can start making plans.’ She squeezed his hand, her heart thumping at the ever-closer prospect of

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  shortly becoming Mrs Andy Batiste. Having met his parents and seen for herself their modest lifestyle and the

  tiny home where he had grown up, she did again wonder about the issue of their future home.

  ‘Andy, I think we need to talk when we get home.’

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  The Family Divided

  chapter thirty-four

  Back at the cottage Charlotte made a pot of coffee before joining a wary looking Andy in the sitting room. She

  poured out two mugs, handed Andy his coffee and sat down beside him.

  ‘What’s the matter? It’s not my parents is it? I know they were a bit full on but –’ He reached out to stroke her

  hair.

  ‘No, it’s nothing to do with them. It’s – it’s about what I said when I was in London. About where we will live

  and our lifestyle.’ His face took on a shuttered look but she had to press on. It was crucial to their future. ‘I know

  you love your cottage, and quite rightly so. But, to be frank, it’s not where I would see us living as a couple. And

  possibly with children. We…they would need more space. I’m used to having my own study and you need yours,

  and I have a lot of things I’d like to bring over from London…’ She stopped, wanting him to say something.

  ‘I know my house can’t compete with a London mansion, but I put a lot of work into it. I’m proud of what I’ve

  done here,’ he said, waving his arm. His face still inscrutable.

  ‘Yes, and you have every right to be. It’s lovely. But it’s–’

  ‘Too small for Madam?’ He looked solemn.

  Her heart sank. He was cross and she might have known it would all end in tears…She took a deep breath,

  determined to speak her mind.

  ‘This is the twenty-first century, Andy, and I would want us to be equal partners in our relationship. You

  know my background and you fell in love with me in spite of it. We’ve had different upbringings, which doesn’t

  bother me. And I would want to put my money into our home. Not a mansion but something…elegant and I’d like

  a cleaner or housekeeper.’ She gripped her mug tight and watched for his reaction.

  ‘Well, I hate to admit this, but you’re right to say we would need something bigger if we had children. So

  perhaps we can consider moving, as long as we can find something we both like. And a cleaner should be okay as

  long as they don’t live in. I hate the idea of servants which is what they would look like to me.’ He smiled for the

  first time since they had returned home.

  ‘You really don’t mind? But…what about the cost? Would you let me put my money towards it? I know how

  expensive houses are over here.’

  ‘Yes, but I have to sell this place first so let’s wait until then before buying a new one. Agreed?’

  Relief flooded through her. She guessed how hard it must have been for Andy to agree and her heart was

  filled with love for this wonderful, understanding man. ‘I’ve been so worried you would think me stuck up–’

  He kissed her hard on the mouth. ‘I do think you’re stuck up, but I still love you.’

  Annette was flying in late morning and Charlotte had arranged to pick her up at one and take her out for lunch,

  saying she wanted her to meet someone. She and Andy had agreed he would wait for them at Le Fregate while

  she collected Annette in her hire car. The chilly weather again made the wearing of gloves seem unremarkable.

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  As Charlotte entered La Folie she spotted her mother talking to Gillian by the reception desk and walked over

  to join them. Annette allowed herself to be hugged and Gillian smiled warmly.

  ‘I hadn’t realised you were returning so soon, Gillian. Are you staying long?’

  ‘Two weeks this time, and then we’ll see.’ She turned to Annette saying they would catch up later and said

  goodbye to Charlotte before leaving them alone. Charlotte shepherded her mother to the car, asking if she had

  had a good flight. Annette said it had been comfortable and settled into the passenger seat. Driving down the

  lane Charlotte asked if any specific treatments had been arranged by Gillian.

  ‘I shall continue on the current programme until I’ve had a scan tomorrow. Gillian wants to see if the tumours

  are shrinking before changing anything.’

  ‘Oh, right. Fingers crossed, then,’ she said, glancing at her mother’s inscrutable face. She was tempted to delay

  telling her mother about the engagement until after the scan, but if the news was bad it would be even harder to

  say anything. How do you share your own good news with someone who’s seriously ill? At least they were not

  having a party to celebrate.

  Not much more was said on the journey and Charlotte pulled into the restaurant car park feeling in need of a

  stiff drink. Thankful she and Andy had resolved the issue of homes and money, she was happier than she had

  been only the day before. All she wanted now was for her mother to accept Andy as her fiancé. As they walked

  into the bar, she smiled at the sight of Andy at a nearby table and ushered her mother towards him. He stood up

  and extended his hand.

  ‘How do you do, Lady Townsend? I’m Andy Batiste, a friend of Charlotte’s.’ Dressed in an immaculate suit,

  shirt and tie, he looked the epitome of eligibility, Charlotte thought, her heart swelling with pride.

  Annette allowed him to shake her hand and a smile hovered around her mouth. ‘Pleased to meet you, Andy.

  I’m afraid Charlotte has told me nothing about you, so you may have the advantage of me.’

  He pulled out a chair for her and Charlotte sat on Andy’s other side, leaving him between the women.

  ‘Mother, there’s something important I need to tell you…’

  Annette sat quite still while Charlotte explained about the engagement, offering her hand as confirmation.

  Her mother’s eyebrows rose as she admired the ring, offering her congratulations to them both, accompanied by

  a warm smile. Charlotte was stunned. And Andy looked the same.

  Her mother must have registered the look on Charlotte’s face as she said, ‘I’m not stupid, Charlotte. I have

  long since thought you must have met someone here, I’ve noticed the change in you. I was simply waiting for

  you to tell me.’ She looked from one to the other. ‘However, I must admit I was not expecting to be informed you

  were engaged. It does seem rather hasty after your recent…divorce,’ she said, her eyebrows rai
sed.

  ‘We, er, didn’t see any point in waiting, Mother. But I do hope you’re happy for me and will welcome Andy as

  your son-in-law.’

  ‘Of course I’m happy for you. And once I get to know Andy better, I’m sure I shall like him.’ She then surprised

  them by calling over the waiter and asking for a bottle of champagne. Charlotte’s eyes widened.

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  Annette smiled. ‘I can hardly not toast my only child’s engagement, can I?’

  Charlotte and Andy exchanged a quick glance.

  Moments later the waiter arrived with the chilled bottle and poured out three glasses.

  They each lifted their flutes. ‘To Charlotte and Andy, may you be very happy together,’ Annette said, touching

  glasses.

  Charlotte, dazed, sipped her champagne, wondering if her mother’s treatment also included something for

  improving maternal feelings. Whatever had caused the change, she could only be grateful. Catching Andy’s eye

  he gave her an imperceptible wink. It seemed she need not have worried about her mother’s reaction after all…

  In the car on the way back to La Folie Annette brought up the subject of the wedding, asking if she had made

  any plans.

  ‘Not yet, but we were thinking of sooner rather than later.’

  ‘Very sensible. You’re not getting any younger and I assume you’d like children? Or are you already

  pregnant?’

  Charlotte's face reddened. ‘No, I’m not. But, yes, we would like children, although it may not be easy at my

  age.’

  Her mother pursed her lips. ‘True, but women older than you have conceived, some more than once. And I

  would quite like to be a grandmother.’

  She was so surprised she nearly lost control of the car. ‘I…never thought you were bothered. When I was

  married to Richard–’

  ‘Oh, but I knew there was no question of a family with him. Most of my friends are now grandparents and

  they seem to think it’s the most marvellous thing. I may not have been a loving mother but I think I could be a