Grahame Gloria - Film stars dont die in Liverpool: a true love story

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I didnt know she was sick until she went to Lancaster. There had been the usual fanfare of publicity with the same slogan written on the billboards, only with the place name changed:

The girl who cant say No says Yes to Illinois; or The girl who cant say No says Yes to East Hampton. This time it was Lancaster, England.

It was Tuesday the 29th of September. Id heard shed been in England for over three weeks but as yet she hadnt telephoned. I was hoping that she might. She couldnt have forgotten the number because shed used it so many times before. Whenever I went to Liverpool to stay with my family shed usually phone.

Peter, hello, her voice was unmistakable its Gloria. Then shed add, Guess where I am? It was always Lime Street Station.

For me, this stay in Liverpool was special. It was the first time that Id been asked to work at the theatre in my hometown. The play was interesting and the offer of it came at a convenient time for my family, because my parents were preparing to set off on a trip to Australia to visit my brother, Billy. The four months they would be away coincided with the job at the Liverpool Playhouse, so I would be living at home and looking after their house while they were gone.

My parents were then in their early seventies and had just celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They had never been out of England before and had never travelled on an aeroplane. Theyd never been anywhere before. They were overjoyed and apprehensive at the same time feeling nervous about flying, delighted about seeing Billy and worried about leaving the house with only me to look after it.

My mother was particularly excited; shed been planning and dreaming about this holiday for sixteen years. There was now just over a week to go before they were due to depart. She was getting quietly hysterical.

Its got Manila on the tickets, she said when I walked into the kitchen.

Really. When did they arrive? I said, sitting down at the table and opening up the paper wallet stuffed with airline tickets and counterfoils.

My mother didnt reply. She looked troubled and uncertain as she filled the kettle and took it over to the gas stove. Then she lit the grill and I knew she was about to cook me breakfast.

She spends most of her time in the kitchen; its her domain and completely under her control. Anyone who enters is automatically given something to eat and drink a habit left over from the days of bringing up her nine children, my elder brothers and sisters who, like me, had long since left home.

Would you like bacon?

No thanks, Mum. I dont like to eat in the morning. Shed been asking me the same question every day for the past six weeks.

You could have fooled me. She looked at me and smiled, obviously having heard me get home after two in the morning. Anyway, the mornings nearly the afternoon. Will you have toast?

Okay. All right then, Mum. Ill have toast.

She came and sat down at the table and rested her head in her hands. I knew that she wanted to talk.

I was never told anything about spending a night in Manila, she frowned.

Its probably just a stop-over, I tried to reassure her. You might not leave the plane.

Oh, no. Were spending the night there. Thats what it says. The travel agents have sent me a letter.

I looked again through the tickets and found the letter which explained that they would be spending a night and a day in Manila on the way back from Australia.

Youre right, I said. Thats wonderful. Theyve arranged a hotel. Youll be staying the night.

I dont think its wonderful. My mother shook her head from side to side. I wish that woman in the travel agents would have let me know before now. Ill have to go and have a word with her about this.

Do you want me to phone and find out more?

Oh, no. Ill go in and see her, she replied. Joe and Jessie are coming down in the car. Were all going into town shopping. Ill go in and see her. She stood up from the table and started to make the toast.

It had been a very good summer, but over the last few days I felt it was coming to an end. The days were still bright but less sunny and it was beginning to get cold. The leaves were changing colour and some had already fallen off the plane tree in the back garden which leant dangerously towards the house.

That tree looks as if its getting worse, I said.

I know that it is, I keep on telling your father, she said as she brought the well-done toast over to the table. I just hope that nothing happens to it while were away. It could fall down. Anything might happen! I dont want to get back from Australia and find the house in ruins. Its things like that which put me off going.

I buttered the toast and started to eat while my mother fell back into her thoughts. She sat as before, with her head resting on the palm of her left hand.

Where exactly is Manila? she sighed after a while.

Its in the Philippines, I answered.

Oh my God. What am I going to tell your father? she said in a sudden explosion of panic. He hates anything like that.

Youre getting yourself too worked up about this journey, I told her. Dont worry about it.

Its your father that Im worried about. You know what hes like.

She stood up to clear the table and just then the doorbell rang.

Itll be Joe. Will you open the door?

All right. Mum. Ill go.

It wasnt Joe. It was Jessie, his wife.

Hi, Pete. I didnt expect to see you, I thought youd still be in bed. She leant towards me and lowered her voice. Were taking your mother for a meal and Joe wants to buy her a suitcase. Its the last chance well get before she goes to Australia. Why dont you come with us?

Although it was only an ordinary weekday morning, Jessie was dressed as if for a special occasion. I supposed the reason she had on her crimplene two-piece was to show us all just how nice it looked, for shed also made my mother one to take away on her trip. Not normally one who wears a lot of makeup, Jessie had MaxFactord her face, and was wearing her gold-plated watch-chain around her neck.

You look nice, I said. Wheres Joe?

Oh, hes in the road doing something to the car.

I looked towards the street and could see my oldest brother, dressed in his best suit, examining the engine. As I passed Jessie to walk down the path towards Joe, she called after me. Theres the phone. Shall I get it?

No, its all right. I will, I said, and went back into the house.

* * *

When I returned to the kitchen Joe was sitting by the table reading the Daily Mirror, studying the racing form. Jessie was standing by the sink holding the wallet of tickets.

Youll be staying in a luxury hotel.

I wouldnt like to stay in a hotel.

Youll be waited on hand and foot.

I dont want to be waited on hand and foot.

Well, it will be lovely to have a day in Manila, she was trying to reason with my mother.

No, Jessie, it wont, my mother decreed. I dont want to be spending a day walking around the Philippines. Ill just want to get back home, especially after saying goodbye to Billy, I might never see him again. Who was that on the phone? she turned to me and asked, trying to change the subject.