Jill Mansell - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Ten Years Ago

There are some places where you might expect to bump into your boyfriends ultra-posh mother.

At a Buckingham Palace garden party perhaps, or Glyndebourne, or turning her nose up at Ferrero Rochers at some foreign ambassadors cocktail party. And then there are other places you wouldnt expect to bump into her at all.

Like, for example, the Cod Almighty at the dodgier end of Tooting High Street.

Blimey, its Dougies mum. Instinctively wiping her hands on her green nylon overall and curbing the urge to curtsey because Dougies mum was that posh Lola said brightly, Hello, Mrs Tennant, how lovely to see you!

And how typical that she should turn up two minutes before closing, when all they had left to offer her was a tired-looking saveloy and a couple of overlooked fishcakes. Maybe Alf could be persuaded to quickly chuck a couple of fresh pieces of haddock into the fryer and

Hello, Lola. I wondered if we could have a chat. Even for a visit to a fish and chip shop, Dougies mothers make-up was immaculate, her hair swept into a Princess Michael of Kent chignon.

Oh, right. Absolutely. Im just finishing here. Lola glanced across at Alf, who made good-humoured off-you-go gestures. We close at half past two. So you dont want anything to take away?

Was that a shudder? Mrs Tennant shook her head and said with a flicker of amusement, I dont think so, do you?

Having retrieved her shoulder bag from the back room and shrugged off her nylon overall

youch, static Lola ducked under the swing-top counter and took the king-sized portion of chips Alf had wrapped up for her, seeing as they had so many left.

Bye, Alf. See you tomorrow.

I can drop you home if you like, said Dougies mother. The cars just outside.

Lola beamed; free chips and a lift home in a brand new Jaguar. This was definitely her lucky day.

Outside on the pavement it was stiflingly hot and muggy. Inside the Jaguar the cool air smelled deliciously of expensive leather and Chanel No. 19.

This is such a great car, sighed Lola, stroking the upholstery as Dougies mother started the engine.

Thank you. I like it.

How could anyone not like it? Lola balanced the steaming parcel of chips in her lap, careful to keep it away from her bare legs. Her stomach was rumbling but she heroically resisted the temptation to open them. So why did you want to see me? Is this about Dougies birthday?

No. Actually its about you and Dougie. I want you to stop seeing him.

Bam, just like that.

Lola blinked. Excuse me?

Id like you to end your relationship with my son.

This couldnt be happening. Her shoulders stiffening in disbelief, Lola watched as Dougies mother drove along, as calm and unconcerned as if they were discussing nothing more taxing than the weather.

Why?

Hes eighteen years old.

Nearly nineteen.

Hes eighteen now, Mrs Tennant repeated firmly, and on his way to university. He is going to university.

I know. Bewildered, Lola said, Im not stopping him. Were going to see each other whenever we can, take it in turns to do the journey. Ill catch the coach up to Edinburgh every other weekend, and Dougies going to drive down here when its his turn, then

No, no, no, Im sorry but he wont. This isnt the kind of relationship Doug needs right now. He told me last night that he was having second thoughts about going to university. He wants to stay here. And thats all down to you, my girl. But I wont stand by and let you ruin his life.

The hot chips were burning Lolas legs now Honestly, Im not ruining his life. I want the best for Dougie, just like you do. We love each other! Ive already told him, if we miss each other too much Ill move up to Edinburgh and well live - together!

Oh yes, he mentioned that too. And the next thing we know, youd be feeling left out because hed have all his university friends while youre stuck working behind the counter of some backstreet fish and chip shop. Mrs Tennants lip curled with disdain. So to regain his attention youd accidentally get yourself pregnant. No, Im sorry, I simply cant allow this to happen. Far better for you to make the break now

Who did this woman think she was?

But I dont want to. Lolas breathing was fast and shallow. And you cant force me to do it.

No, dear, of course I cant force you. But I can do my best to persuade you.

I wont be persuaded. I love Dougie. With all my heart, Lola blurted out, determined to make his mother understand that this was no silly teenage fling.

Ten thousand pounds, take it or leave it.

What?

Thats what Im offering. Think it over. How much do you earn in that fish and chip shop?

Dougies mother raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. No more than five pounds an hour, Im sure.

Four pounds actually. But it was still a mean dig; working at the Cod Almighty was only a temporary thing while she applied for jobs that would make more use of her qualifications.

And if I took your money, what kind of a person would that make me?

Oh, I dont know. The sensible kind, perhaps?

Lola was so angry she could barely speak; her fingernails sank through the steamed, soggy chip paper, filling the air-conditioned interior of the car with the rank, sharp smell of vinegar.

Something else was bothering her too; up until today, Dougies mother had always been perfectly charming whenever theyd met.

I thought you liked me.

Of course you did. Mrs Tennant sounded entertained. That was the whole idea. I know what young people are like, you see. If a parent announces that they dont approve of their childrens choice of partner, its only going to make them that much more determined to stay together.

Fuelling the flame and all that. Goodness no, far better to pretend everythings rosy and you think their choice is wonderful, then let the relationship fizzle out of its own accord.

But ours isnt going to fizzle out, said Lola.

So you keep telling me. Thats why Im giving it a helping hand. Goodness, this traffic is a nightmare today. Is it left down here at the traffic lights or straight on?

Left. And hows Dougie going to feel when he hears what youve said to me today?

Well, I should imagine hed be very annoyed with me. If you told him. Mrs Tennant paused for effect. But do yourself a favour, Lola. Dont say anything just yet. Give yourself time to really think this through, because you do have a brain. And ten thousand pounds is an awful lot of money. All you have to do as soon as youve made up your mind is give me a ring when you know Dougie isnt at home. And Ill write out the cheque.

You can stop the car. Ill walk the rest of the way. No longer willing to remain in her boyfriends mothers plush Jag, Lola jabbed a finger to indicate that she should pull in at the bus stop ahead.

Sure? OK then.

Lola paused with her hand on the passenger door handle and looked at Dougies mother in her crisp white linen shirt and royal chignon. Can I ask you something?

Feel free.

Why dont you approve of me?

You risk ruining my sons future. Mrs Tennant didnt hesitate. We love each other. We could be happy together for the rest of our lives.

No you couldnt, Lola. Do you really not understand what Im trying to explain here?Youre too brash and noisy, you have no class, youre not good enough for Dougie. And, the older woman paused, her gaze lingering significantly over Lolas low-cut red vest top and short denim skirt complete with grease stain, you dress like a cheap tart.

Can I ask you something else? said Lola. How are you going to feel when Dougie refuses to ever speak to you again?

And, heroically resisting the urge to tear open the parcel of chips and fling them in Dougies mothers face, she climbed out of the car.

Back at home in Streatham a far more modest house than Dougies, which his mother would surely sneer at Lola paced the small blue and white living room like a caged animal and went over everything that had happened. OK, now what was she supposed to do? Dougie was currently up in Edinburgh for a few days, sorting out where he was going to be living come October and acquainting himself with the city that was due to be his home for the next three years. Doubtless Mrs Tennant had planned it this way with her usual meticulous attention to detail. Her own mother and stepfather were both out at work.The ticking of the clock in the kitchen was driving her demented. Bloody, bloody woman how dare she do this to her? What a witch.