Oh, come off it, Mum, serving guests that old cabbage soup? my husband sniffed the kitchen air, looking disgusted. The whole place reeked of fried tomatoes and last years wilted cabbage. Theyre always out at fancy cafés and restaurants in London, arent they? Why not whip up something a bit nicer than that boring borscht? Ugh.
Well have meatballs, a mayodressed salad, pancakes, and the usual sliced bit, Evelyn snapped, feeling hurt. And honestly, stop pestering me, you daft old man. Ill manage without you. Get out of here before I give you a ladle on the head. Wait, stay. Turn the pot off in five minutes, Im going, she changed her mind in a flash, pulling off her apron.
Where are you off to? he asked, fidgeting with his trousers and glancing nervously at the stove.
To meet them, they said they’d be here in ten minutes. Ill grab a loaf of bread too someone always comes hungry. He shuffled his feet, still unsure.
Evelyn fixed her hair in the mirror. The short, curled bob she kept was the right length for a woman her age, but she hated it. Shed once been a blooming beauty, kept that up for years, but now it felt like the bloom was fading and nothing could stop it.
Theyll manage themselves, arent they just kids? he wondered.
Oh, Pete, stop looking all flustered, Ill sort it without you. Dont forget the pot and dress properly, for heavens sake, stop wandering around in just your underwear.
Why are you so cross today? he tried to sound hurt.
I dont know! Evelyn snapped. Youll never understand, dear.
She swayed her hips and headed for the lift. Whats with the mood? she muttered. Its always the same every one or two years her son comes home with a new girlfriend, all of them loud, pretentious, never knowing which horse to ride. Some are vegans, some on diets, some think everythings too salty, others think its too rich, and they always complain they dont have a proper dinner knife. As if theyve never owned one before.
The girls always turn up noses at Evelyns cooking. This time she decided not to try too hard just a simple, everyday meal, enough to keep them from going hungry.
The street welcomed Evelyn with a fresh May breeze. She took a deep breath of clean air and, just in time, caught sight of her sons silver hatchback pulling up. Pete, thirtyseven now, still has no title or steady job, fiddling with some online gig, always in a rush. He dreams of having a proper family and a child. Evelyn longs for a grandchild; all her friends have already hired nannies, while she feels left behind. Petes girlfriends are all the same married, not wanting kids.
Mum, why did you come out? Wed have brought it up ourselves, Pete said, hugging his mother. Meet Emily.
Hello! the young woman said cheerfully.
Oh! Evelyn blurted, Hhello
Finally a face that didnt look like a circus act. At least someones normal, Evelyn thought, smiling at her sons new partner. Maybe this one will be alright, she looks like a proper country girl, not too wild.
Shall we get started?
Hold on, Mum, theres a bag of drinks in the boot and a gift box from Emily for you.
Really? Evelyn said, intrigued, while Emily beamed.
She works in environmental cleanup, so the gift is right on theme youll see when we get home. Emily explained.
Evelyn instantly decided the gift was probably another gimmick. Mum, could you grab the bag yourself? Ill take the box Emily cant lift heavy stuff, Pete said, helping pull a bulky package from the car.
The look they exchanged was lost on Evelyn, who mentally already buried any hopes of a new family tie. She snatched the bag robotically and headed to the flat.
After the usual runaround of greetings, they all sat down. Emily didnt bat an eye at the borscht, took a spoon and started eating. She talked shyly about her job, stumbling over words. She seemed to be a lowlevel inspector in an environmental agency Evelyn barely caught the details.
Is it a proper job? Evelyn asked.
Yes, Im officially employed.
See, Pete, youre still on the dole, your employment record gathers dust. What if you get sick? What about a pension? Time flies, youre already thirtyseven. Evelyn pressed, a worry that had nagged her for years.
Mum, I wont live to see that pension, dont worry.
You think so now, but soon youll be sitting on your arse, Evelyn replied, deadserious.
Please, stop, youre ruining my stomach. Dad, pass the pancake and cheese. Pete tried to raise a toast, but his dad kept interrupting with his own wishes.
This borscht is delicious, Evelyn, I was too shy to ask for seconds, Emily said, getting up, Let me help clear the table.
The women started shuffling dishes to the kitchen. Spotting the mess and the notsoclean hob, Emily swished her hands.
Theres your gift! Almost forgot! She opened the box, laying out ecofriendly cleaning products, explaining, They dissolve in water, dont hurt the environment, made from fruits and veg. The company makes almost all household chemicals.
Want to try them now? Emily said, looking radiant. Ill treat the hob, and while the cleaner works, Ill wash the dishes with this special gel.
Evelyn, terrified, stepped back from the stove.
No, love, please dont touch the hob, I havent cleaned it in three days, its embarrassing. Ive got no time today.
Come on, I grew up in a village, Ive seen every type of hob, Emily laughed. Fine, you spray it yourself, Ill just give it a sponge once its done.
Emily tackled the dishes with ease. Evelyn rolled crumbs across the table, peppering the conversation with questions about Emilys education, family, how she met Pete. The answers were respectable and pleased Evelyn. Then Emily turned to the hob, wiping it clean with a sponge as if the grime vanished.
Thanks for the lovely gifts, Emily, Evelyn admitted, still wary of a trick. Tricks always linger. Suddenly Pete clinked a glass from the lounge and called everyone back to the sofa. He wrapped his arm around Emily, placed his hand gently on her belly and announced:
So, Mum, Dad Emily and I have decided to get married.
Oh! Evelyn gasped.
And thats not all Pete paused, then added with a grin, Were expecting, so expect a grandchild next winter.
Thats a miracle, dear Lord! Evelyn leapt up, arms waving, The Blessed Virgin has heard my prayers, the heavens are smiling!
Come here, my sunshine, my angel, let me hug you, she flung her arms wide to Emily, shushing Pete as he made a sudden move. Be gentle, love, I know how to handle pregnant ladies!
Evelyn, could you share some of your recipes? I cant cook as well as you, especially the borscht, Emily whispered, tears glistening.
Oh, Emily! Evelyn exclaimed, losing herself in joy, This has been my dream: passing my knowledge to my daughterinlaw, sharing the love thats never spent, for the grandchild!
Thats the modest dream I had, and thanks to you its finally becoming real.
