28October2025 Evening
A wicker basket full of apples and oranges sits on the kitchen table like a silent accusation. Nadine Harper glanced at it once more, let out a heavy sigh, and turned her attention to the murmuring television from the next room. Stephen was glued to another fishing programme, the one about perch on the River Severn. To him it was all harmless entertainment.
Emily, love, are you coming? The teas getting cold, Stephen called from the set.
Nadine winced. He could barely manage to heat his own cup, let alone the whole pot.
Im coming, she replied, pulling a jar of strawberry jam from the fridge.
She passed the hallway mirror and, without thinking, brushed a stray silver strand back into place. Time rushes on; just yesterday they were newlyweds, and today theyre marking their daughters sixtieth birthday.
The thought of Verity tightened Nadines chest. It had been a week since their argument, and Verity hadnt called. As usual, Nadine felt she was at fault, even though she meant well.
On the table, beside Stephens unwashed mug, lay a modest woodenframe photograph of their wedding day: young and smiling, Nadine in a flowing dress, Stephen in a smart suit. Who would have guessed that forty years later their lives would be reduced to routine, halfspoken grievances, and lingering resentment?
You still stuck in that corner? Stephens voice sliced through her reverie.
She brushed aside the memory and carried a tray of tea and jam into the living room.
What, still stewing over it? Stephen asked, eyes glued to the screen.
And you, I see, are completely unfazed! Nadine snapped, unable to hold back. You should have called Verity and apologised.
For what? Stephen finally turned to her. Because we gave her that present? Thats absurd.
She set the tray down on the coffee table and perched on the edge of the sofa.
It was a terrible gift, Stephen. I know that now.
A plain tea set, he shrugged. It was expensive, by the way. About thirtyeight pounds.
Its not about the money, Nadine sighed. You should have seen her face when she opened the box. Shed hated that set thirty years ago, but we kept it and gave it to her for her birthday. She thought we were mocking her.
We werent mocking! Stephen snapped. We thought it was a nice gift. Its a beautiful, almost antique piece.
Nadine shook her head. Men often miss the subtleties. The set had been a wedding gift from distant relatives of Stephens. Nadine remembered young Verity turning a teacup over in her hands and declaring, Mum, this looks like a relic from the Victorian erajust flowers, not cups! The set had sat untouched in the sideboard ever since, until the idea of gifting it to Verity resurfaced.
Nowadays vintage is all the rage, Stephen persisted. All those hipsters love old stuff.
Verity isnt a hipster! Nadine exclaimed. Shes a senior accountant at a respectable firm. Her flat is minimalist, not a grandmas cabinet.
Then she could have just said thank you and put it on a shelf, Stephen muttered. Instead of making a scene in front of the guests.
Nadine recalled the moment. Verity opened the box, stared at the set in silence for a few seconds, then looked up at her parents.
Is this the same set from the sideboard? she asked quietly.
Yes, dear! Nadine replied brightly. Remember how you always said it was beautiful?
Silence fell. Veritys face went pale.
I never said it was beautiful. I could never stand it, and you both knew that.
Here you go again, exaggerating, Stephen sipped his tea. A bad gift isnt the end of the world. Do we have any bigger problems?
Yes, we do, Nadine said. The biggest one is that we dont really know our own daughter. We have no idea what she likes or how she lives.
Stephen snorted. Dont dramatise. Shes just a difficult character, thats all.
Before Nadine could reply, the phone rang. She hoped it was Verity.
Hello?
Nadine? Its Margaret Jones, a familiar neighbours voice crackled. Could you pop round? Im struggling with these new tablets, the instructions are a mess.
Ill be there straight away, Nadine said, hanging up.
Who was that? Stephen asked.
Margaret, next door. Ill step out for a bit, she needs a hand with her medication.
Your charity runs again, Stephen grumbled. Wholl cook dinner then?
Nadine exhaled heavily. Theres a pot of beet soup in the fridge, just needs reheating.
She threw on a light cardigan and left. The stairwell greeted her with the familiar aromas of fried fish from the downstairs flat and a waft of cigarette smoke drifting up from a young couple on the fifth floor.
Margaret lived alone; she opened the door the moment Nadine arrived.
Come in, dear, come in, the older woman chirped. Ive baked a cake, lets have a cuppa together.
Nadine tried to decline, but Margaret was insistent. While the neighbour fussed in the kitchen, Nadine examined photographs on the wallMargaret with her husband, her daughter, and grandchildren, all smiling.
Hows Verity doing? Margaret asked, setting a tray of tea down. Managing after the divorce?
Shes coping, Nadine replied evasively.
And her son? Kirin is at university now, isnt he?
Yes, third year.
Margaret sat beside her, eyes softening. You look a bit down today. Something on your mind?
Nadine finally let it out: the cursed tea set, the fight with her daughter, Stephens stubbornness.
You need to speak with Verity, just the two of you, Margaret advised. Apologise sincerely for the gift.
She wont pick up the phone, Nadine sighed.
Then go to her, Margaret said matteroffactly. She doesnt live far away.
The idea settled in Nadines mind. Why not simply visit? Pride? Fear of hearing that she and Stephen had become clueless old folk in her eyes?
Youre right, she said. Ill go today.
Good, Margaret smiled. Now lets try that cake.
Back home, Stephen was still planted before the television.
Stephen, Im heading to Veritys.
Why? he asked, surprised.
To talk. To apologise for the present.
Again with your stubbornness! Stephen turned to her. A bad gift isnt the end of the world. She just doesnt appreciate vintage.
It isnt about the set, Nadine said, sitting on the sofas edge. Its about us not hearing each other, not hearing our own daughter.
Fine, Stephen finally conceded. Just dont tell her I admitted I was wrong. I still think it was a good gift.
Nadine could only shake her head. Forty years together and the stubbornness hadnt dulled one iota.
Verity lived in a new development, a sleek highrise in the suburbs. Nadine boarded a bus, watching the passing countryside, mulling over how hard it can be to communicate with those closest to you.
The flats door opened to reveal their grandson, Kirk.
Grandma? he asked, bewildered. Why didnt you call before coming?
Just a surprise, Nadine replied, handing him a bag of scones. Mum at work?
Shes in her office, Kirk said, taking the bag. Come in, Ill get her.
Nadine walked into the living room. Veritys apartment was a study in modern minimalismbright tones, clean lines, no antique sideboards, no floral carpets. A different era, different values.
Verity emerged from her office, a hint of tension on her face.
Mum? Something wrong?
Nothing, Nadine answered calmly. I just came to talk.
Verity glanced at her watch. I have a video conference with London in half an hour.
Ill be brief, Nadine said, sinking into the sofa. Im here to apologise for that tea set. You were rightit was foolish of us.
Verity raised an eyebrow. Youre apologising for the tea set?
Its more than that, Nadine clasped her hands. Weve been living in the past and havent seen the present youre in.
Verity settled into the chair opposite her.
Mom, its not really about the set, she began slowly. Its a symbol that you dont know who I am, what I do, what I love.
Thats true, Nadine whispered. Weve been stuck in the memories of the girl who once lived with us.
Verity sighed. The worst part is you never try to discover the real me. Over the years youve never asked what music I listen to, what books I read, what films I enjoy. You just assume you know me better than I know myself.
Youre right, Nadine felt her throat tighten. Parents often think their children are extensions of themselves, not separate individuals.
Exactly! Verity shot back, a spark in her eyes. Im partly at fault too. I never ask what youre interested in or what worries you. I just pop in once a month, drop off groceries and leave, as if its a duty.
Were all to blame, Nadine said, a sad smile forming. But its not too late to change, is it?
Not at all, Verity replied.
Then tell me, what music are you listening to now? Nadine asked. And what are you reading?
Verity laughed. Seriously?
Very seriously, Nadine confirmed. Weve got about twenty minutes before my conference and then Ill head out so I dont disturb you.
Alright, Verity said after a moment. Im into jazz, especially the classics from the 1950s. I read professional material for work, but for pleasure I enjoy detective novels. Im also learning Spanish because I want to visit Barcelona.
Nadine listened, feeling as if a new person was being introduced to her for the first time. How much had she missed over the years?
What about your love life? Nadine ventured gently. Its been three years since the divorce
Veritys smile was shy. There is someone. Hes seven years younger than me. I was scared youd disapprove.
Were oldfashioned but not clueless, Nadine said. As long as hes a good man, thats what matters.
Hes good, Verity nodded. He teaches history at the university. Kirk likes him.
Invite him over for dinner, Nadine suggested. No more tea sets as gifts, I promise.
Both laughed.
You know, Verity said, maybe I was too quick to reject the set. Its actually lovely, a proper Provençal piece. Vintage is prized now.
Dont try to redeem me, Nadine shook her head. It was a terrible gift.
No, really! Verity exclaimed. Im even thinking of placing it in the summerhouse we bought last year. I havent told you that, have I?
No, Nadine felt a sting of embarrassment. See how much we still dont know about each other.
Lets catch up, Verity said, checking her watch. I must get ready for the call. But come over this weekend, and bring Stephen. Ill show you the cottage.
They embraced, and Nadine felt something important reignite within hera connection she had nearly lost through her own blindness.
On the way back home she stopped at the corner shop, bought a bottle of decent red wine and a box of chocolates. Stephen met her at the door, a worried look on his face.
How did it go? he asked.
Were mended, Nadine said, handing him the parcels. And guess what? Verity now likes the tea set; she wants to keep it at the cottage.
See! I told you it was a good gift, Stephen declared triumphantly.
Nadine merely smiled. Let him think hes won. What truly matters is that the familys peace outweighs any porcelain or pride.
Stephen, she said as she moved toward the kitchen, did you know our daughter is learning Spanish and planning a trip to Barcelona?
No way! he replied, genuinely surprised. Why would she need Spanish at her age?
Because life doesnt end at sixty, Nadine poured the wine into two glasses. And neither does ours. Perhaps we should learn something new ourselves.
What, like what? Stephen asked, curiosity flickering.
Like listening to each other, Nadine said, raising her glass. And choosing presents that come from the heart, not from an old sideboard.
He lifted his glass. Agreed. To a new chapter for us.
The fruit basket still sits on the table, but now I look at it differently. Even the worstchosen gift can become the seed of something genuine and valuable.
Lesson learned: Pride and stubbornness keep you silent; humility and honest conversation open the door to understanding.
