Love All

First Service

"MUUUUUMMMM!" Cara called upstairs as she walked into the house, "I'm here, you ready?" 

Nothing.  She frowned her mum. Nancy was supposed to be ready and waiting.  Their flight from Edinburgh to London was at 7.30 and they still had to brave the traffic to the airport.  "Mum?  Are you there?" 

Nothing.  

She peeped into the living room.  

Nothing.

Now she was concerned, this wasn't like her mum.  Not like her at all.

Running upstairs, she looked in the bedroom and found her answer.  The curtains were drawn, making it into a dark cocoon. In one corner, a small carry-on suitcase stood, handbag and jacket draped over the handle in readiness. As her eyes became accustomed to the gloom, she saw her. Sound asleep in bed, a packet of migraine tablets on the table beside her.     Carefully, she sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her mum's hand. It was still clutching her phone.

"Mummmm," she whispered gently, "It's me.... mummm. "  There was a stir, and the comatose figure in front of her stirred, screwing up its eyes.

"Cara love? That you?" Nancy tried to sit up and winced, falling back onto the pillow. "Oh pet, I'm so sorry, I did try to text you.  I must have fallen asleep - these tablets are lethal." she looked at her daughter with bloodshot eyes.  "Migraine love, bad one.  I won't be going anywhere for a day or two.  I'm so sorry, love. I know how much planning went into this."  Nancy looked like she might weep and any frustration Cara might have felt melted away.

"Oh mum, it's ok.  You couldn't help it.  These things happen.  Look, I'll make you a nice cuppa, and we can watch tv later when you're feeling more up to it.  Wimbledon isn't going anywhere.  We can see it on the BBC all fortnight!" she smiled and held her hand.

Nancy shook her head carefully. "No love, please, you go.  I don't want you missing out on your trip.  Please?  It will make me feel better, I promise, to know you're having fun." Her hazel eyes brimmed with emotion, and Cara just couldn't bring herself to tell her the truth. That the only reason they were going was for her.  That would have made things ten times worse, additional guilt added to the mix. 

"But mum, you're not well.  I can't leave you like this. Your migraines are always awful. And now Dad's not here..." she trailed off, feeling a little prickle in her chest at the mention of him. Even now, two years later, she still missed him.

Nancy smiled weakly, "Oh love, I'll be ok. Peggy next door will look in on me, she did the last time - and you pet knew NOTHING about it."  There was an air of self satisfaction at her own resourcefulness that deflected Cara from the fact she'd not known.

"Peggy?  Are you sure? Well, I don't know..." Cara half smiled. It WOULD be nice to have the trip, and the tennis was just one small part.  Suddenly, she paused. "Wait a minute - when was that? " she realised what her mum had said.

"Oh, when you were in Tenerife at the start of the year with your cousin.  Remember?" Nancy seemed to be more tired again, and Cara didn't want to push it.  She nodded. She did need a break.

"Ok mum, I'll be in the air for an hour or so from 7.30 but if you need me AT ALL you call me and I'll come home, ok?  We're a team you and me. Even if we do butt heads sometimes."

"I know, pet, I know.  You're just like..." she smiled and squeezed her daughter's hand. "Well, you know..." they looked at each other for a minute. "Now, GO, before you miss the flight too.  Have fun and tell - no better picture message - me if there are any ridiculously handsome men, ok?  Other than the ones in the tight white shorts, ok, they don't count?" she winked, and Cara's mouth fell open.

"Mum! Really?" 

Nancy laughed quietly. "I may be old love, I may be sick, but I'm not dead. Not yet! Now away with you.  See you in a few days."  she closed her eyes, and there was no more to be said.  Cara kissed her cheek and stood up.  As she walked to the door, Nancy opened her eyes and watched her silently and unseen.  

Cara needed to get out more - without her mother in tow.  This trip would be just what she needed.  Work had been stressful. She could see that from her daughter's almost constantly strained demeanour and dark circled eyes.  She'd make it up to her for the extra money she'd spent. Her wee white lie wouldn't harm anyone. It would be worth it to see her little girl happy again.  It had been a long time. She really was a beautiful woman these days, even though Nancy knew she was biased. Cara just needed to see it for herself.  

As Cara left the house, Nancy waited until she heard the car draw away, then got up.  Peeping out of the window, she smiled.  Good, she thought. That was her part of the plan underway.  Now, all she needed was a little help from "the Big Man upstairs," as her God-fearing Presbyterian father had always said.  

These days, Gods came in all shapes and sizes, and as Cara would soon discover, not all of them had white beards and a natty line in lightening bolts.