Love or Money?

by Carrie Stone

  “It must have been a big thing for Bill to tell you that he’d walked out on his son all those years ago. He’s had to live with that decision and that obviously hasn’t been easy for him. It’s no wonder there’s an ulterior motive behind him wanting to move to Cambridge. It’s his chance to be near his son and right his wrongs.”

  Glenda looked down at her hands. “I know that, but that’s also the part that worries me. How could he have walked out on his seven-year-old son for the sake of his career? Leaving his young wife alone to bring up a small child – especially whilst he lived the high life! What kind of a man does that make him?”

  Felicity took her time to answer. If she’d learned anything over the course of the recent weeks it was that sometimes people made choices or approached opportunities incorrectly. From the story that her mother had relayed, Bill had tried to be honest about his younger years as both a selfish and uncaring father and husband, driven by his need for success and profit. But that didn’t mean he still had to be that same person. The way he’d been treating her mother, with love and care, in her opinion - outweighed any past ill choices.

  “Mum, let me ask you something?”

  Glenda looked at Fee expectantly, waiting for the question.

  “Since you’ve met Bill, it seems you’re the happiest I’ve ever seen you. You look younger, smiley, your anxiety hasn’t been as bad. You’re even booked on a pottery course for goodness sake! So answer me honestly.” Felicity looked directly into her mother’s eyes. “Do you love him?”

  Glenda answered without any hesitation. “I love him so much, Fee. That’s why I’m so hurt.”

  Felicity had heard all she needed to know. She couldn’t stand by and watch her mother dismiss something worth saving.

  “People make wrong decisions – it’s part of life. You’re always reminding me that nobody’s perfect. Don’t throw away love and happiness and a chance of a new start based on a mistake Bill made years ago. See it as a good thing that he wants to make peace with his son and build that bridge again. It would be more worrying if he didn’t want that.”

  Glenda wiped her eyes with her tissue, wondering when her daughter had become so mature and understanding. This wasn’t the same Felicity that had once told her she didn’t believe in second chances.

  “You’re right.” She sighed, feeling somber. “I guess I have been a bit hasty. I was only thinking about myself and the fact that he’d not shared it with me sooner.” She blew her nose.

  “I didn’t really consider his feelings in all of this. He looked so ashamed when he was telling me; it couldn’t have been easy for him. I should never have been so quick to judge.”

  Felicity nodded. “It’s natural to judge, we all do it. But sometimes we need an outsider to show us the bigger picture.”

  “What if I’ve ruined things though? I told him I never wanted to see him again - that I couldn’t go to live in a new county with a man that wasn’t honest.” Glenda’s bottom lip trembled as she realised the gravity of her actions.

  Felicity rubbed her mother’s arm. “If he loves you, he’ll understand it must have come as a shock. Go and speak to him. Tell him how you really feel. He isn’t going to let you go, Mum.” Felicity was certain of that. Bill had very much appeared to be a man in love. He was sure to understand.

  Glenda got up from the kitchen table and put on her coat like a woman on a mission. “I have to go. The sooner I get things resolved, the better.” She quickly tied the heavy belt around her waist and put her handbag on her arm.

  “Thanks so much love, you don’t know how proud I am of you. You’ve come such a long way.”

  “Let me at least give you a lift home?” Felicity said, startled at the speed of her mother’s decision to leave. She got up from the table and smoothed down her jumper, feeling drained from the morning’s events.

  “No, no. I’ll take the bus. You go and make things right with that lovely man in there.” She nodded in the direction of Owen, engrossed in the laptop in front of him. “He’s come all this way to see you. Don’t let him leave without being certain he knows how much you love him.” Glenda winked at her daughter and kissed her on the cheek.

  “What?”

  She held up her finger to her lips. “Shhh. Don’t think I’m stupid, a mother knows her daughter best. You’re in love and you have been ever since you returned from Australia. Well now is your chance – so take it.”

  Glenda was already halfway into the hallway by the time Felicity had time to reply. She stood and waved into the dining room. “Bye, Owen, nice to meet you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon – next time under better circumstances.”

  Owen laughed. “Bye, Glenda, see you again soon.” He followed both women to the door, watching with interest as Glenda squeezed her daughter’s arm and cryptically whispered “Make sure you take it.”

  As the door closed behind her mother, Felicity considered her parting advice – noticing Owen looking at her tenderly.

  She didn’t need telling twice. She was going to take it with both hands – she was ready and open for love again.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Steve held Thomas in his arms as Zara and the children blew goodbye kisses in Glenda’s direction.

  Glenda tried bravely not to cry as she waved from the passenger seat of the car window, watching the family huddled outside in the foot deep snow - seeing her off. She felt Bill squeeze her knee.

  “It’s ok to be upset, Glen. But don’t forget you’ll be seeing them all again in two weeks when they come to stay.”

  Glenda chuckled despite herself, wiping a small tear from the corner of her eye. “Oh, I know I’m being daft. Anyone would think I was moving to Timbuktu, but I will miss them.”

  The car slowly rounded a corner and the family disappeared from view. She concentrated on the road ahead, thinking about how quickly the time had come around for the move. Against all odds it had been a special Christmas indeed. One that she wouldn’t forget.

  “Just got to get the last few bits packed up when I get home and then I think we’re all set for tomorrow.” Glenda said as her stomach did a nervous flip. She was pleased Felicity had suggested driving her separately in her own car. Although it meant she had extra room for luggage and the bits she wanted to take, she was also teary at the thought of having to say goodbye to her daughter. It would mean they’d have an extra few hours together without Bill, who was taking his own car.

  She’d thought long and hard of late whether she was making the right choice by moving to Cambridge; but amidst her fears, there was also excitement. She was looking forward to their beautiful new home and her pottery course. She’d even been persuaded by Fee to think about joining the local Women’s Institute.

  Her relationship with Bill had picked up strength since his startling revelation of his estranged son. Once she’d gotten over the initial shock, the long and open discussion they’d had about it had made her understand that Bill bitterly regretted his past.

  Although he’d reached out an olive branch to his son, it sadly seemed that some wounds were too deep to heal. Glenda was pleased she was there to support him through the challenging time of his son’s rejection. She hoped that with time and their being closer to Bill Junior, the bonds would gradually begin to mend and things could be different.

  But for now, she knew Bill was grateful for her backing and helping hand on the matter. It also made her appreciate her own strongly bonded relationship with Fee. She was very lucky indeed.

  Sylvia held Phillip’s hand as they strolled back towards the hotel. It didn’t matter that it was bitterly cold and icy underfoot, she was savouring the remainder of their weekend New Year getaway in the New Forest. It had been a more than pleasant two days in one another’s company.

  “Do you like the name Holly?” Phillip asked, pointing to a snow covered holly bush up ahead.

  Sylvia wrinkled her nose. “I don’t mind it but I’d prefer something a little more unique.” It still hadn�
��t sunk in that she was having a baby girl. The news on the previous Thursday had come as a surprise as her sixteen-week scan had revealed more than they’d bargained for. It had also seemed to throw new light on their situation.

  Seeing the baby on the monitor for the first time had made Phillip realise how real the pregnancy was. The news of his daughter had instantly changed his mind about taking up the US presenting opportunity. He belonged in the UK alongside Sylvia, at least until the baby was born and their relationship status was more decided.

  After the drama, they’d agreed to take things slowly but although feelings and emotions were being worked through on both sides and they had grown closer again, there were still small issues. Things were improved, but not as exciting and heady as they had been. Sylvia knew Phillip would always be there for his daughter, but she wasn’t sure the same could be said of him for her – at least not just yet.

  “It’s been so nice this weekend. I feel ready now to face work next week.” she said, thinking about the resignation letter she’d arduously prepared over Christmas. Although she didn’t want to give up the position she’d laboured so hard toward carving herself; it was a necessary change. She had no doubt that her private client base would be able to keep her in demand and financially secure, but she was going to miss the action and prestige of working at the television studios. It made sense though, especially with the impending house move which had been both unexpected but perfectly timed.

  “You’re doing the right thing you know” Phillip said, stopping for a moment to look directly at Sylvia.

  Her breath caught in her throat. It was the first time he’d voiced his opinion on her decision to leave her job and her decision to move. Every time she’d spoken about it over Christmas he’d just nodded with little input or shrugged. She was beginning to think he’d thought her foolish and selfish.

  “You honestly think so?” she asked timidly. She had wondered in the past few days, since hearing of his decision not to take the US job, whether the move would cause problems for them. It had seemed a good idea when she’d known he wouldn’t be living in the same country, but now… it would mean they were no longer just minutes apart.

  “I do. For both you and the baby.” Phillip said, patting her bump. “Plus it means I won’t have to keep fixing your broken dishwasher anymore.” He grinned as Sylvia laughed, knowing how much he’d hated her asking him to constantly check the waste pipe. “I’m just hoping the new place has decent plumbing. I don’t want to visit and be expected to don my overalls.”

  Sylvia poked out her tongue playfully. “Don’t worry, you’ll have no such problems in the new place. It’s got state of the art everything.”

  She was looking forward to her new home. There was no guarantee of it being a permanent base for her, but it had appeared as the perfect solution after making her decision to leave her work, and especially after considering Phillip’s departure for the US.

  She knew that Phillip would approve once he saw the property. The small thatched cottage in the exclusive and quiet cul-de-sac was the ideal location for settling during a pregnancy - quiet, safe and well maintained. She would never have been able to afford to live in the area alone if it wasn’t for her friend’s generous rental agreement.

  She couldn’t thank Felicity enough. She felt certain that the new home was going to be the start of other new beginnings.

  “Let’s take some photos” Phillip said, searching in his pocket for his mobile phone. Sylvia watched impatiently as he patted his coat; although she was happy, the cold weather was stating to bite at her fingers. “Aha – here it is.” She watched as he pulled something from his pocket.

  She looked down at the mobile in his left hand, noticing a blue leather box beside it. “What’s that?”

  Phillip was already bending down on one knee before Sylvia could process what was happening. It took all of ten seconds, looking from his red, frost bitten nose to his twinkling excited eyes before he opened the small box in front of her. The neat, square diamond glistened up at her.

  “Sylvia, will you marry me?”

  She didn’t wait to respond.

  Zara ushered the children inside, feeling sad as Steve closed the door behind them. Christmas had been such a happy time and now that the New Year had arrived – it seemed there would be lots of changes to get used to.

  “Cup of coffee?” Steve asked, placing a sleeping Thomas in the Moses basket by the sofa.

  “Go on - I’ll make it” Zara replied, thankful for an excuse to have a couple of minutes by herself. She walked to the kitchen, flicking on the under cabinet lighting. It was only early afternoon and yet it was already growing dark. In a way it suited her mood.

  She’d been very pensive of late, partly due to her own family changes and partly due to her involvement of Fee’s reunite with Owen. She felt bittersweet at the outcome, wondering whether she’d still have chosen to try to influence Owen’s decision to visit, had she known the changes it would bring her.

  She’d lived in fear, after Thomas was born, of receiving a call from Felicity and being told she’d gone a step too far. Bizarrely that call had never come. Instead, she’d been surprised to learn that Owen had indeed taken her advice and come for Felicity, but there’d never been any disclosure of her involvement other than her providing Fee’s address.

  She’d tried desperately to get a moment alone with Owen to find out why he’d chosen to withhold her information, but sadly the chance had never arisen. In one respect, she was very grateful. It really hadn’t been her place to go into personal detail about Felicity’s past.

  At the time, she’d truly thought it would be of help for him to understand her friend’s emotional issues. But only after, when Fee had made a similar mistake herself and interfered in Zara’s own life, had she realised just how detrimental it could have been.

  She wondered if Felicity had ever raised the subject of her past with Owen and if and when she did, whether she’d speak openly about the things that Owen already secretly knew. After all, even Fee’s own mother didn’t know the real extent of her abuse at the hands of James.

  She was happy Felicity had finally found someone who treated her well and had brought out the side of her that she’d lost long ago - at the mercy of James. The upside of Owen knowing what she’d gone through with the manipulation, cheating and not to mention violence, both physical and mental - at least gave her satisfaction that he’d tread carefully in the way that he treated Fee.

  Telling him about the pregnancies and how she’d been emotionally blackmailed into the terminations, had perhaps been a step too far. But she hadn’t wanted him to see Fee as the cold and unnurturing person that people often mistook her for. Granted, Fee hadn’t been the perfect girlfriend, but it was the circumstances and trauma that had made her turn into the woman Owen had caught a glimpse of. She couldn’t let her friend lose a chance of happiness because of her inability to open up about past issues.

  Now she regretted her decision to impart so much confidential background information. Spending Christmas with Owen present, she’d been struck by just how much in love he was with Fee. She recognised that it wouldn’t have taken her input to have got him to come for Felicity…. He would have come regardless. Although the thought made her smile, it also saddened her.

  “Any sign of that coffee yet?” Steve chirped from the kitchen doorway. Zara span around in surprise, noting the steaming kettle standing idle in the corner.

  “Coming right up, I was lost in thought” she said, taking two cups from the wooden stand on the counter top.

  “A penny for your thoughts?” Steve asked coming into the kitchen and leaning against the worktop, watching as she scooped a heap of instant coffee from the jar.

  “Oh, you know, just Glenda moving to Cambridge – how strange it’s going to be not having her just around the corner. I was getting used to our regular catch-ups.”

  “And Fee?” Steve asked quietly. He knew it was a sore point for his wif
e. She’d barely mentioned it in the last couple of weeks. Even on the joyous and cheery Christmas day spent together – the subject had been avoided by all.

  Zara tried not to cry but she couldn’t help it. She felt Steve’s strong arms surround her immediately and she buried her head in his shoulder.

  “I’m going to miss her so much. What if she never comes back?” she said, choking on a sob.

  Steve didn’t know how to answer. It would be a lie to assure his wife that Felicity’s decision to accompany Owen back to Australia wasn’t forever. He’d seen the way the pair were together, there was no denying it was serious for them both.

  “She’ll be back for visits” he said, stroking his wife’s hair. “Heck, it even gives us a good excuse to go on holiday to Australia, doesn’t it!”

  Zara dried her tears with the back of her hand. She didn’t want to be upset but she couldn’t help it. Her lifetime friend was moving temporarily to the other side of the world. It saddened her to think that the distance was too great and expensive to be in regular physical contact. Nonetheless they at least had email and telephone. She didn’t want to dampen her friend’s happiness with her own selfish needs.

  “I guess so…” She stared into the distance, thinking. “I guess they might even decide to move back here together once Owen’s project is finished. It’s not like he’s short of funds, is it?”

  Steve smiled, pleased at his wife’s more positive approach. “Exactly. No-one knows what the future holds. Just appreciate the last couple of weeks you have together before she goes again. Either way she’ll be back in six months because of the visa.”

  Zara hugged her husband. Her friend might have been leaving her but she had her very own support in the form of Steve. Thomas had been the icing on the cake for their little family; she felt so gifted to have four wonderful children and a husband that she loved. Felicity’s kind gesture to pay towards their debt meant that they were already planning their first holiday abroad with the kids, together with Glenda and Bill. Realistically, she had a lot to be grateful for.