Aw, how lovely! I do like your Mike and Corney.
Thank you Jo - oh I've tried pming you but it does seem to want to send so I emailled too!
ETA: Except now it has - typical!
| The CBB http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/ | |
| In the Eye of the Beholder, pt 3 *please don't archive yet!* http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=573 |
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| Author: | Josie [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | In the Eye of the Beholder, pt 3 *please don't archive yet!* |
Hope no-one minds but as it's been so long since this was updated, I'm going to repost the bit that got lost, post-by-post. I lost a load of last minute changes I'd made when the board went down and I'm hoping that by doing it this way, I'll remember what they were! First 2 bits are here and here if anyone needs to catch up/refresh their memory. The trip to the races, a few days after Independence Day, proved to be a resounding success. Much to the delight of Cornelia and Mike, Mr. Flower and Mrs. Ruggles got on like a house on fire, bonding over their love of horse racing and a tipple of fine Scotland’s finest, and putting their skills to good use as they placed several successful bets. The real honours in that field, however, went to Cornelia and Mike themselves who won on six of their seven horses, thanks to Cornelia’s method of picking a winner. As Mike put it afterwards, as they all tucked into a slap-up meal at Guiseppe’s, you just can’t go wrong when betting on a horse that is wearing pink socks! The following day saw Evadne return to New York, with promises from Cornelia to visit her soon, and the next three weeks passed by uneventfully, as temperatures soared into the high seventies and Boston life slowed down for the summer months. July passed into August and Cornelia and Mike’s relationship continued to go from strength, their feelings for each other deepening with every passing day. He was a regular visitor to the Flowers’ Brookline home, often spending entire days there at the weekend, entertaining Cornelia and her father and on occasion bringing Mrs. Ruggles along with him, much to the Flowers’ delight. Joe’s health appeared to be on the up at last, though he still tired easily, and Cornelia felt that she had finally settled into life in Boston, that she had finally found her longed-for home. All in all, the summer of 1946 was a very happy time indeed. The one fly in the ointment was Martha. Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, she refused to accept Cornelia as a long-term presence in her son’s life. For Mike’s sake, Cornelia was careful not to rock the boat, being as charming as possible whenever she was at the Van Alden’s home, but as the end of August approached, things were finally starting to take their toll. It was now the Wednesday before Labour Day, and Martha had invited Mike around to dinner that evening, with a “Bring Cornelia too, if you must.” Unsurprisingly, Corney was a little underwhelmed by the invitation, which was made in her presence, and as a result had flatly refused to go. Mike had been doing his best to persuade her ever since, and had arranged to meet her for lunch today in a last ditch attempt. “What’s the point?” Cornelia asked, sounding exasperatedly, as Mike pleaded his case once more. “She hates me!” “Of course she doesn’t hate you, don’t be a goose. She just doesn’t quite understand you, that’s all.” “And that is another way of saying she hates me!” “No, she doesn’t…” “Yes, she does, Mike! Can we not talk of it anymore please? I have to get off now, anyhow. I have to be at the doc’s at two-thirty to see him about my eyes.” Draining her glass of coke, she got to her feet and pulled her handbag onto her shoulder. “I’ll meet you at the corner of Tremont and Park at six, and we’ll go to the concert on the Common and then for dinner at Guiseppe’s as planned and not talk once about your mother, okay?” and without waiting for his reply, and with no kiss on the cheek, she turned on her heel and walked out of the diner, leaving Mike to finish his burger alone. == As she walked down Tremont Street at five past six that evening, Cornelia caught sight of Mike sitting on a bench just inside the Common, watching two young children who were playing with a kite close by. Her resentment had been building towards him all afternoon, as she brooded on his refusal to accept her point of view, and she had been ready to have things out with him when they met up again. Now, however, as saw him jump up and run to one of the young boys' aide as his kite string got tangled, she felt her heart soften a little and with a smile on her face, she passed through the gates and into the park. She approached him, just as he finished untangling the string and handed the kite back to its owner. “Hey there,” she said softly, placing her hand on his shoulder. Mike looked up with a smile and got to his feet, as the small boy ran back towards his friend. “Hey yourself. Look at you without your frames!” “I know!” Cornelia grinned back at him and gave him a quick twirl. “Apparently my eyes are fully recovered and I never need wear them again – not until I’m old, at least. What d’you think?” “I think you look as beautiful without them as you did with them!” came the somewhat-cheesy reply. Cornelia chuckled and shook her head, and Mike reached out to take her arm. “I’m sorry for what I said at lunch, Corney.” “It's okay, Mike, it doesn't matter.” Mike shook his head. “Yes, it does, I should never have pressed things like that.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small package. “Here, I bought a little something to make amends.” He handed it over and opening it up, she found a bar of her favourite chocolate which she happily accepted. The next thing she knew, he had got down on his knees and taken hold of her hands. “What are you doing?” “I’m begging your forgiveness!” he explained, looking up at her with doe-like eyes which shined with a hint of amusement. “Please forgive me, Corney! I beg you, you have to forgive me, I couldn’t be without…” “Get up, you ass!” Cornelia hissed, half-laughing as she checked around to see if anybody was looking. “Not until you forgive me!” “You’re already forgiven! Just stand up and stop embarrassing me, you dope!” Laughing, Mike got to his feet, giving a little wave to a couple of ladies nearby who were giving them disapproving looks, and stooped to kiss her on the cheek. “I really am sorry, you know.” “I know you are. And I know you’re stuck in the middle, Mike, I really do. It’s just I’d like the man I love to take my side every once in a while.” “The man you what?” Mike’s eyes opened wide as he stared at her, an enormous smile creeping over across his face. It was the first time either of them had mentioned the word ‘love’, though they had both known it for a while now, and hearing it out loud made his heart skip a beat. Cornelia froze as she realised what she had said. “I…er…I mean…” “You mean what?” “Nothing.” “Yes, you do! Come on, say it again!” “No!” “Again!” “Mike …” “Come on, you have to!” “Fine! I love you! Happy now?” Mike stared at her for a moment, his grin impossibly wide, and then cried, “Ha! I knew it!” Cornelia grimaced back at him. “That wasn’t quite the reaction I was hoping for!” “How's this then?” Reaching out his hand, Mike ran his fingers through her bright, blond hair, and pulled her towards him, lowering his head for a kiss. When he finally pulled back again he picked her up, twirling her around as she laughed and begged to be put down. Then, lowering her back to the ground, he placed his hand behind her head and stared deep into her shining, blue eyes. “Cornelia Flower, I love you too.” |
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| Author: | Nell [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:27 am ] |
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Aw, how lovely! I do like your Mike and Corney. Thank you Jo - oh I've tried pming you but it does seem to want to send so I emailled too! ETA: Except now it has - typical!
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| Author: | LizB [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:19 pm ] |
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Awwwwwwww *feeling all mushy inside* Thanks, Jo 
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| Author: | Kat [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:06 pm ] |
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*mush mush mush mush!*
Thank you for re-posting sweetie! |
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| Author: | Sarah_G-G [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 2:29 pm ] |
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Yay! I was wondering the other day what had happened to this- so glad you're posting it again now.
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| Author: | Josie [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 2:45 pm ] |
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A couple of weeks later, still buoyed up with having finally said ‘I love you’, Mike decided that it was about time their parents finally met. Cornelia’s father was such a kind, humorous, genial man that Mike was convinced that Martha would be won over. And if she could be won over by Mr. Flower, then surely she would warm to Cornelia as well. He had already proposed the idea to Joe, who seemed more than happy with the arrangements. Now he just needed to convince his mother that having the Flowers over for Sunday lunch was a good idea. As he pulled up in the forecourt of his parents’ home, he was feeling in confident mood and whistled as he walked up to the front door and let himself in. Immediately he heard the hum of female voices coming from the salon. His mother must be having one of her soirees. Strange that she hadn’t told him. He had telephoned to warn her he was coming, after all. Shaking his head, he scrubbed his shoes on the doormat, hung his coat on the stand and made his way down the long hallway towards the kitchen, intending on getting himself a drink and keeping out of the way until it was over. “It’s no good, you know. She’ll find you wherever you hide.” Mike spun around at the unexpected sound of his brother’s voice. “What are you doing here? I thought you never came near the place unless I've dragged you here myself?” Richard grinned as he walked down the hallway towards him. “I don’t, as a rule. I’m here for your benefit, as it happens.” “For my benefit?” “Yes. I had to drop something in for Pop and overheard Mom on the telephone to Mimi. Thought you might appreciate a heads up. “What about?” “Mom’s latest venture. Apparently she’s gotten it into her head that you, my dear brother, need a helping hand.” “A helping hand with what?” “With finding a new girl.” “Wh…with…she’s…” Mike was not sure whether to believe his ears. Then he remembered to whom he was talking. “You’re kidding me, right? You’re just trying to get a rise out of me.” Richard shook his head, no hint of a smile on his face. “Honestly, Mike, I only wish I was. You hear that gaggle of women in there?” Mike nodded. “They’re all here for you.” Mike was flabbergasted. “For me?” “Sure are. When you called Mom to say you’d be over today it galvanised her into action and that’s the result. By all accounts, she’s herded up every eligible lady in Boston for you to take your pick.” “Michael, you’re here! Whyever didn’t you say?” At the sound of his mother’s voice, Mike turned towards her, his face set like stone. “Are you quite alright, dear?” “Is this true?” “Is what true?” “You know what I’m talking about!” Mike’s voice was low and icy and Martha was more than a little shocked at his tone. She was used to Richard losing his temper around her but Mike was generally such an easy-going, cheerful young man. It was rare indeed to see him this angry. “I’m quite sure I’ve no idea what you mean…” she began haughtily, trying to keep her end up as best she could. “Don’t play games with me, Mom. Have you or have you not invited a roomful of girls over for tea?” “Yes, but I don’t see…” “And are they here for my benefit?” “Don’t be absurd!” Realising that she had been rumbled, Martha went on the defensive. “Surely I’m allowed to have people over to tea in my own home without…” “Just tell me the truth!” “I am! I’ve…” “Are you really?” Mike’s voice was dripping with sarcasm and in a last ditch attempt to save face, Martha turned on Richard. “I suppose this is your doing? What have you been telling him?” “Don’t you start on Rich,” Mike put in quickly, seeing exactly what she was doing. “I’m not stupid, I’d have figured it out for myself soon enough. For once in your life, just be honest with me.” Martha stared at him, her mind racing, trying to find a way out of this. Seeing there was nothing else to do but come clean, she changed tack abruptly. “Well yes, they are here for your benefit but I’m only doing it for your own good…” “How d’you figure that?” “I realise that you had to get this Cornelia thing out of your system but really, don’t you think it’s time…” “What Cornelia thing?” “This ridiculous notion that she’s the one for you…” “She is the one for me!” There was a moment’s pause and then Martha shook her head, pity written all over her face. “Michael, my dear boy. Don’t misunderstand me, I completely understand how she would fascinate you. She is, after all, a sweet girl and very…” She paused for a second as her son glared at her. “Well, very different, but don’t you think it’s time you started thinking seriously about your future?” You’re not getting any…” “I can’t believe you!” “Michael, just listen…” “No! You just listen, Mom!” Mike was shouting now, and Martha was shocked into silence. “I am with Corney. I hope to be with her for the rest of my life. I am not, and never will be, interested in any other girl and it’s about time you got that through your thick head!” “Michael, I don’t think that’s…” “I’m not interested, Mom. I don’t care what else you have to say.” Pushing past her, he made his way down the hallway to the salon and opened the door. The room fell instantly quiet and he felt eight pairs of eyes appraising him as he stood in the doorway. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Annabel sitting on a chaise longue, giving him what he knew to be her most seductive smile. “Hi Mike. I’ll bet that this is a nice surprise for you.” Ignoring her, Mike quickly took in the other seven girls and then coughed to clear his throat. “Ladies, I’m very sorry but you appear to have been summoned here under false pretences and I apologise for your waste trip. I’m afraid I’ll be leaving in a minute or two but please do feel free to make the most of my mother’s hospitality, won’t you?” Backing out of the room and shutting the door again, he turned back to Martha who was hovering around, clucking her disapproval. “Don’t bother looking at me like that.” “There’s no need to be rude, Michael.” “I think you’ve forfeited the right to any manners from me, don’t you?” Mike’s voice was low again, so as not to be heard by the occupants of the salon, but there was no doubting how angry he was. “Now I’m gonna tell you this once, Mom, and this time you are going to listen. Corney is my girl, end of story. It’s high time you met her father and I will be inviting him here to have lunch with both you and Pop.” “Well, I’m not sure…” “You will be a polite and gracious hostess,” he continued, speaking over her, “and you will make Mr. Flower feel very welcome. I think that after today’s little effort, it’s the very least you can do. I’ll let Pop know what date we decide on. Do you understand me?” “But…” “I said do you understand me?” Martha glared at him, her lips drawn into a tight line, but he had backed her into a corner and she was left with no choice. “Yes, I understand you.” “Good.” Mike took his coat off the hanger, pulled it on and then turned back to face her. “And one more thing. If you ever pull another stunt like that, I will never - and I mean never - speak to you again.” Leaving her gaping at him, open-mouthed, he held his hand out to his brother. “Thanks for the heads up, Rich. I owe you one.” Richard grinned back at him, overjoyed that for once in his life Mike had told his mother whatfor. “You’re welcome, big brother.” Then, nodding his head towards the salon, he added, “Seeing as you’re not interested, would you mind…” Mike stared at him and then shook his head in amazement. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?” Richard simply shrugged. “You know me, I try my best.” Giving a wry chuckle, Mike waved his hand in the direction of the salon door. “Be my guest. I’m sure they’re far more your type than mine,” and with that, he opened the front door and took his leave. As he walked towards his car, he heard a loud clattering sound coming from the garage and the next moment his father emerged, golf clubs slung over his shoulder and a broad grin on his face. “Hello there!” he said, catching sight of his son. “I thought you were staying to tea?” “Hi Pop. Sorry, change of plan.” William frowned as he caught the look on his son’s face. “Is everything tickedy-boo?” “Not exactly, no.” William heaved a sigh. He didn’t need to ask who was responsible for his son’s black mood, even if he didn’t know what had caused it. “What’s she done now?” “I think you’d best ask her that one yourself.” “Hmm, like that, is it?” William pursed his lips and shook his head. “Well I’m sorry to have missed you. Why don’t I call the office during the week, arrange to meet you for lunch. Perhaps Corney could join us if she’s not too busy?” "That would be good, thanks. Oh, and Pop?” he called after him, as a sudden thought occurred to him. “I’m arranging a lunch with you, Mom and Mr. Flower for later in the month. Is that okay with you?” William grinned back at him, as he opened the front door. “Of course it’s okay. Splendid idea. See you soon, son.” Then as he disappeared through the front door, Mike heard him call, “Martha? I think we need a little word.” |
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| Author: | Nell [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:06 pm ] |
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Go Mike! |
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| Author: | Mary [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:06 pm ] |
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This is lovely. Mike and Corney are just great, and I'm loving their relationship. Thankyou M xxx |
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| Author: | patmac [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:52 pm ] |
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Lovely to see it back, Josie. I just love Mike getting his dander up with his Mom! |
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| Author: | ibarhis [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:01 pm ] |
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I really really am glad to see this. It was the first drabble I really engaged with and I missed it hugely. |
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| Author: | KathrynW [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:57 am ] |
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Thank you Josie, it's lovely to see this back! Kathryn |
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| Author: | Josie [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:29 pm ] |
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Meanwhile, across town, Cornelia and Eliza had admitted defeat after a couple of hours fighting the crowds in Filene’s, and were seated at the counter in nearby McGregor’s drugstore, putting the world to rights as they waited for Carol to come and join them. They were now on their second soda and had moved onto the subject of Mike and Ed. Ever since she and Mike had said “I love you,” Cornelia’s mind had been fixated on the future, however hard she tried to divert it. She had even surprised herself a couple of nights previously, when, just as she was dropping off to sleep, she had found herself imagining what their wedding might be like. Jerking herself awake again, she had given herself a stern talking to on the subject of getting ahead of things and had been panicking on and off ever since that she might let something slip and give Mike a shock. So far, they hadn’t talked of anything along the lines of marriage and she was more than a little worried that she might scare him off. Absently stirring her ice cream soda with a straw, she filled her friend in on her fears and then paused to take a sip of her drink. Eliza stared at her for a second and then draining her cherryade and placing the glass back on the counter, she fixed Corney with a broad grin. “Well if you want my opinion, I’d say he’s just bound to ask you soon so you may as well quit your worrying here and now! You obviously want to marry him someday, else you wouldn’t be having those thoughts, and I reckon he feels the exact same way.” Cornelia stopped playing with her straw, and glanced up with a frown. “I dunno ‘bout that. He’s shown no sign of it so far!” “Absolute tosh! He’s told you that he loves you, hasn’t he?” “Yes, b…” “And I can tell you for sure that he’s smitten – I’ve known him since we were little kids and I’ve never seen him as ga-ga over any girl as he is with you.” “I guess.” Cornelia shrugged, but she couldn’t help a slight smile creeping onto her lips at her friend’s words. “I still say he won’t ask me.” Taking another sip of her soda, she turned her wrist to look at her watch. “Say, I wander what’s keeping Caro?” “Don’t you change the subject on me, Corney Flower! We’re gonna have this one out. Now, give me one good reason why he won’t ask you to marry him!” “Easy,” Corney replied confidently, “his mother.” Eliza suddenly looked somewhat deflated. “Oh yes. I’d forgotten about her.” “Well I hadn’t! He’s so set on her coming around to us being together that there’s no earthly way he’ll propose before she does so. And as that isn’t likely to happen anytime soon…” She gave her friend a wry smile and Eliza pulled a face. “He needs a darn good talking to about priorities if you ask me! Tell me, what is that thing between men and their mothers? Ed’s just as bad. He’s just turned thirty and yet he has to get his mother’s opinion on everything he does! It’s crazy if you ask me! Still, at least his mother’s a decent sort, unlike dear Martha. You do realise the old dragon’ll be your mother-in-law one day, if everything goes to plan?” “Gee, thanks for reminding me!” Cornelia grimaced. Then, heaving a sigh, she added, “Oh well, I guess you’re right. He’ll ask me someday before we’re old and grey!” Eliza grinned. “You could always try nudging him in the right direction!” “How d’you mean?” “You know, talking about families and kids, looking at rings in shop windows, asking him if he thinks you’ll suit a white dress – that kind of thing!” “I couldn’t!” “Why not?” “Because he’s supposed to ask me!” “He will ask you, you dope! You’ll just be planting the seed in his head, that’s all. It’s what I’ve been doing with Ed!” Cornelia looked shocked and Eliza laughed. “I have to give him a gentle nudge somehow, else I’ll be sitting in my rocking chair with a blanket over my knee before he gets around to proposing. I know for sure that he’s the right one for me and he’s terrible at all that stuff.” “And you’ve really been doing all you say?” Eliza nodded and Corney paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Oh I don’t know,” she said at last, “perhaps I should? Mrs. Cornelia van Alden. It does have a ring to it, doesn’t it? And I sure would love a husband and kiddies of my own,” she added, glancing across at a mother and her young son, who had just entered the store. Then suddenly she began to chuckle. “I reckon Mike would have several fits if he could hear us talking right now!” Eliza laughed. “So would Ed, I’m sure, but I’ll still keep handing him those clues!” “Well I think I’ll give Mike a little longer to get there himself before I begin with all that,” Corney returned with a smile. Then catching sight of Carol, who was trying to park her car in a space just outside, she nodded her head in that lady’s direction and added, “Say, Ela, don’t let on to Caro that I told you all that, will you? I know she’s our friend and we should tell her things but you know what she’s like. She’s a better telegraph than the postal service any day of the week!” “Of course I won’t let on! What do you take me for? And don’t you either. IFe want the guys to really know what we’re up to, I’m sure we’d rather tell them ourselves.” Glancing over her shoulder, she watched Carol, who now had one rear wheel up on the pavement and was busy hanging out of the window berating a driver who had just gone past. Eliza shook her head. “I swear she gets worse at parking every week!” “She’s not nearly so bad as Evvy,” Cornelia grinned in return. “She’s learning to drive and you should have seen her attempts when I was down visiting last month! Thirty minutes in an empty parking lot and she didn’t manage to find her way into a single space! Honest, Ela, I thought I’d burst from laughing! Arthur even had to buy her a car of her own after his driver banned her from going near his!” Eliza threw her head back and laughed at this nugget of information. “Poor old Evvy! She’ll get better with practice, though.” “Somehow I’m not so sure about that!” As Cornelia spoke, the door of the drugstore was flung open and Carol flounced in, throwing a final couple of insults over her shoulder at the other car. “Of all the two-bit, sponge-headed, fr…” “What time do you call this?” Eliza interrupted hastily, as the other customers in the shop turned to stare and the mother tried to cover her son’s ears and threw Carol a filthy look. “You should have been here a half-hour ago!” “I know, I know! I’m sorry!” Carol apologised, forgetting her grievances and flopping down on a stool that Cornelia pulled up. “Things are crazy just now and I had to stop off and pick something up as well. Hi, Mr. McGregor – can I get a coke float, please?” The friendly proprietor nodded cheerfully and bustled over to the soda fountain to get her order, and Carol turned back to her friends. “So, what did I miss?” “Nothing other than shopping,” Corney answered, as Eliza ordered more drinks for the two of them. “Filene’s was crazy thanks to all the reductions, so we escaped and came here early instead. So, what did you have to get that was so important?” At her friend’s question, Carol’s face broke into a wide grin. “I have some news for you,” and reaching into her handbag, she pulled out a tiny pair of lemon yellow booties. The other two stared at them in shock. Then Eliza yelled and threw her arms around her friend’s neck, startling poor Mr. McGregor who had just returned with their drinks and jumped, sending the whole lot off the tray and over his shoes. “You’re having a baby!” Seeing what had happened to Mr. McGregor, Cornelia apologised profusely, promising to pay for the spilt drinks as well as their replacements, and then turned excitedly towards Carol and grabbed hold of her arm. “Say, that’s just grand!” Carol released herself from Eliza’s clutches and returned Corney’s smile. “I know, isn’t it? We’re both thrilled to bits. We’d been trying for so long, I was starting to think it would never happen! Geoff’s already talking about it being a ball player, of course, but I think it’s a little girl,” and as Mr. McGregor returned again with their drinks, all talk of marriage went out of the window as the three of them settled down to discuss the Hancocks’ happy news. |
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| Author: | Kat [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:43 pm ] |
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More more more more more! 
Thanks Jo! |
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| Author: | Rosy-Jess [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:17 pm ] |
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Hurrah for a baby! This is lovely Josie! Thankyou. |
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| Author: | KathrynW [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:22 pm ] |
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Yay! Thank you Josie, I'm really enjoying this
Kathryn |
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| Author: | Josie [ Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:58 am ] |
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Following Martha’s attempts to find him a new girlfriend and the row that had followed, Mike decided that it would be wise to let things cool down a little before introducing his parents to Cornelia’s father. Corney, on hearing about what had happened, had first called Martha a few choice words of her own and then, once she calmed down, had agreed that it was wise to wait. It was therefore well into October, almost a month after Mike’s dressing-down of his mother, before he finally managed to get everyone together. Deciding that neutral territory would probably be for the best, he had invited everyone to his Beacon Hill home and had been rushing around for the past few days, trying to make sure that everything was as perfect as it could possibly be. This meeting was very important to him and he was desperate to make sure that it went well. To that end, he had abandoned the idea of lunch, deciding that a sit-down meal was not the most relaxed of atmospheres, and had instead invited them all over for afternoon tea. Richard, who had wanted to drop in purely to see how his mother coped with Joe, was summarily banned from the house for the duration of the afternoon as Mike was in no doubt that his brother’s presence would be a disturbing influence, to say the least. They had all arrived promptly, two hours previously, and so far things had gone as smoothly as could be expected. Martha, who was still smarting from the ‘telling off’ that she had received from her son, was inclined to be a tight-lipped in his presence. However she remembered her manners where Joe was concerned and was polite and charming, if a little stand-offish, and realising that it was the best that he could hope for, Mike had ignored her attitude towards him. She would get over it soon eventually, he knew that. Joe had been forewarned about Martha, having heard plenty on the subject from his daughter over the previous few months, and he found her demeanour more amusing that anything else. In addition, things were eased considerably by the fact that he got on like a house on fire with William. As well as their children, they had interests in golf, fishing, horse racing and wine collecting in common and they discussed all of these with boundless enthusiasm, their debates becoming louder as the afternoon wore on and they consumed one or two glasses of scotch. “Say, Mike! Your father tells me you’re something of a carpenter!” Joe bellowed across the yard, as he downed the last of his drink. “How is it I’ve never heard about this before?” Mike turned his attention from Cornelia and his mother and gave his guest a grin. “It’s just a bit of a hobby. Nothing to write home about.” “Rot!” William boomed, attempting to place his glass on what he thought was a low wall and dropping it in a plant pot instead. Not that he noticed. He was a couple of glasses ahead of Joe and his nose was looking a little flushed. “It’s more than just a hobby, my boy! You’re a furniture designer and a darn good one at that!” “William, your language!” Martha admonished, giving him a disgusted look. Ignoring his mother, Mike shook his head. “I’m hardly a designer, Pop.” “Of course you are!” “I’ve an idea!” Joe announced suddenly. “Reckon you could make me a rocking chair? I’ve been wanting a new one for months, ever since someone,” he added, throwing his daughter a wink, “managed to detach an arm from my old one!” “I was trying to dust the top of the mirror,” Cornelia replied, flushing. “By standing on a rocking chair, I might add!” her father supplemented with a grin. Mike laughed. “Well, I’d be delighted to make you a new one, Sir.” William jumped to his feet, overturning his chair as he did so. “I’ve a splendid idea. Why don’t we take Joe here down to that workshop of yours? Show him one or two of your wares.” “Pop, I don’t think…” “Sounds like a grand plan to me!” Joe put in, getting up from his seat. “Excellent!” William waved his glass in the air as he spoke. “We can get a refill whilst we’re at it. Wouldn’t want to run dry now, would we?” He gave Joe as conspiratorial nudge and that man answered in kind, chinking his glass against that of his new friend. Mike watched the pair of them as they laughed at each other, and then rolled his eyes in Cornelia’s direction. “To the workshop it is then. Won’t be long, Corney, I promise.” Getting to his feet, he bent to peck Cornelia on the cheek and then turned towards the house. “Come along, drunken old fools. Follow me!” and without further ado, he led the pair of them in through the patio doors. Laughing as she watched them go, Cornelia walked across to pick up William’s chair. Martha watched her as she did so, a thin smile touching her lips. This was the moment she had been waiting for. Feeling Martha’s eyes upon her, Corney turned around with a smile. “They certainly seem to be getting along well,” she said brightly in an effort to make conversation. Martha stared back at her. “Yes, I suppose the do.” Then patting the chair next to her, “Cornelia, do come and sit down, won’t you? I need to have a word with you. In private.” Cornelia’s eyebrows shot up at these words. Martha usually made a hurried excuse and disappeared whenever the two of them were left alone. Either that or she would sit in silence whilst Corney did her best to make polite conversation. For her to actually want to talk, let alone initiate any such thing, was something altogether new. Standing the chair back on all four legs, Corney made her way back to her seat and sat down with her back to the house, giving Martha a nervous smile. “What would you like to talk about?” There was silence for a moment as Martha simply stared at her, as if trying to decide what to say. Ever since Mike had reacted so strongly towards her attempts to get him to see the error of his ways, she had been doing a great deal of thinking and had finally arrived at the conclusion that if she could not get through to her son, then she would have to go directly to the root of the problem – Cornelia herself. She had been waiting for the right opportunity for a couple of weeks now and here it was, presented to her on the plate. Sitting back in her chair, she looked Corney straight in the eye. “Right, well, I see no point in stringing this out any longer, so I’ll just cut to the chase. How much will it take for you to leave my son alone?” Cornelia was stunned into silence. Her jaw dropped and she stared at Martha, open-mouthed. Martha gave a supercilious laugh. “Oh come now, my dear. There’s no need to look so surprised. You’re an intelligent girl, surely you can see the sense in what I’m asking? I mean, it’s hardly as if this thing you have with Michael is going to last forever is it? I’m simply offering you a chance to get out before he comes to his senses and finishes things with you. And this way you’re a winner. William’s one of the richest men in the state, after all. I can give you any amount you ask, just name your price.” “My…my price?” Cornelia asked, barely regaining her powers of speech. “Yes, of course. Any amount you want. And of course, it’ll remain our little secret. Michael will never know that you took some money in place of him. I won’t breathe a word, I promise.” There was a brief pause as Cornelia tried to take in what Martha had said. She couldn’t quite believe her ears. And yet she knew that she wasn’t imagining it. Martha really had said those words. Suddenly a wave of revulsion swept through her body and her wide, blue eyes darkened and narrowed as she stared at the woman in front of her. “Do you honestly believe that you can just buy me out of my relationship with Mike? Do you really think I’d ever be that low?” Her voice was cold and shook as she spoke and she was clasping her hands together tightly in her lap, the nails of her right hand digging into the palm of her left. Martha laughed again. “Don’t be silly. Everyone has their price.” “Not me!” Corney flashed back, trying hard to keep a hold on her temper. “You can’t buy me off!” “Of course I can…” “No, you can’t! Why won’t you accept that I love your son? Giving me money’s not gonna change that! I’d have thought you’d be happy he’s found someone who really loves him!” “When you’re in the position that my family are,” Martha shot back, “some things are worth sacrificing.” “Not to me, they’re not! Don’t you even care about him? It would devastate him to know you’d said all this to me.” “I daresay he’d understand eventually. It’s for his own good. If you really cared for him, you’d take the money and leave.” “Well I guess my values are a little different to yours…” “They most certainly are.” At the sound of the new voice, the two women spun around to see Joe standing in the patio doors, his hands in his pockets and a look of absolute fury on his face. He had returned to collect his glass from the table where he had been sitting and had arrived in time to hear most of what Martha said. Startled by his sudden appearance, Martha forced a fake smile onto her face. Joe gave her a look of utter disgust. “You needn’t bother. I heard what you said to Corney.” As Martha’s face fell, his indignation rose to the fore. “How dare you even suggest that you can buy my daughter off! She’s an honest, decent, loving girl, not some self-serving piece of trash!” Martha glared back at him, looking him up and down with a sneer on her face, all pretence at niceties forgotten. “Don’t you talk to me about honest and decent! You arrive in Boston, daughter in tow, and immediately try and worm your way into our affections and our society. I’ve heard all about you from my friends at the country club, the way you’ve managed to get their husbands to invite you in for rounds of golf. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d set your sights on my son and sent your daughter in to do your dirty work for you!” she shrieked, forgetting her head completely, her dignity gone as her plan backfired in her face. “I know your type, Mr. Flower, I’ve seen you before. I’m not letting a lying, cheating, low-life chisel his way into…” “Shut up! Just shut up!” At this insult to her father, Cornelia’s temper finally gave way. “Don’t you dare talk about my Poppa like that!” “Corney...” Joe grasped her arm to try and stop her but she wrenched it from his grasp. “Get off of me, Pops.” Then, turning back to Martha, “You can say what you like about me, I don’t care, but nobody insults my Poppa in that way, least of all you! You’re a rude, ignorant, pie-faced snob and you don’t deserve a son like Mike! He’s too good for you any day!” and without waiting for an answer she stormed into the house, Joe following in her wake. From the basement workshop, Mike and William had heard the raised voices, though they couldn’t make out what was being said, and they had rushed upstairs to find out what was going on. As they emerged into the hallway, they met Cornelia heading for the front door. “Corney?” Cornelia tried to brush past him, but Mike reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her. “Corney, what’s happened?” “We’re going home!” she replied, trying to tug her arm free. Mike took hold of her other elbow and turned her towards him. “Why? What’s going on?” “Nothing. I’ve just…I’ve gotta go,” and as tears welled up in her eyes, she managed to pull out of his grasp and ran to the front door, slamming it behind her as she went. At that moment, Joe appeared, an angry expression on his face. “Corney, wait…oh Mike, there you are.” He stopped as he caught sight of his host. “Thank you for a lovely tea. I’m sorry we have to leave this way. William, it’s a pleasure to have met you,” he added, holding his hand out towards his new friend. William looked utterly bewildered. “Yes, you too. I’ll be in touch about a fishing trip, shall I?” “I’ll look forward to it. I’ll see you both soon,” and grabbing his and Corney’s coats from the stand, he followed her out of the front door without a backward glance. Stunned, William turned to his son. “What was that all about?” Mike looked furious. “I’ll bet I can hazard a guess.” Storming down the hall and into the kitchen at the back of the house, Mike found his mother still standing on the terrace, her hand shaking a she took a sip of her drink. “What did you say to her?” Martha looked up as he came towards her. “Never you mind.” “I do mind. What did you say?” “Nothing to warrant that reaction, I can assure you,” she replied defensively. “If that’s the way that…” “You know what, Mom? I don’t even care what you said. I don’t want to know. Corney’ll tell me anyhow. I just want you to go. Right now.” “Michael…” “I warned you, Mom. I said if you ever pulled another stunt, I’d never speak to you again. Well you’ve done it. Congratulations.” “Don’t be absurd…” “Just get out!” He headed back to the house, just as his father appeared at the patio doors. “Pop, I’m going after them. I want her out of this house by the time I get back,” and without another word, he disappeared into the dining room, leaving his parents in the garden, staring after him in stunned silence |
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| Author: | LizB [ Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:43 pm ] |
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Martha deserves to be tarred and feathered! Thanks, Jo |
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| Author: | Josie [ Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:43 pm ] |
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Parking her car outside the red-brick apartment building in South Boston, Cornelia made her way slowly up the front steps with a heavy heart. To say that the last six weeks had been something of a trial was an understatement of mammoth proportions. Following the row with Martha, it had not taken long for Corney’s upset to turn to anger, and over the following couple of weeks she had ranted at her father and spilled things out in a letter to Evadne. She had even vented her feelings to Richard and William, both of whom she had made the point of calling that very same evening, after Mike had returned to Beacon Hill. There was one person to whom she hadn’t told the truth of what had happened though, and that was Mike himself. On arriving home, she had had time to calm down a little before he had turned up and in a moment of clarity, she made one certain decision. He must never know what his mother had said to her that afternoon. Not for Martha’s sake, but for his own. No matter how angry he was with her already, Corney knew that to find out his own mother had tried to pay his girlfriend to walk away would devastate him and she wasn’t prepared to let that happen. When he asked her what his mother had said, therefore, she had simply replied that Martha had been making allusions to the fact that the relationship wouldn’t last long and that Cornelia was not good enough for him, and that it had all just been a bit too much. Somewhat reluctantly, Joe had agreed to go along with her story, as had William and Richard when she spoke to them, and knowing what his mother was like, Mike had accepted Corney’s version of events without question. To begin with, she did have some doubts as to whether she was doing the right thing. As the weeks went by, however, and Mike became more and more preoccupied, she came to be very glad at the decision she had made. Out of a combination of his anger and his loyalty to the Flowers, he had kept his word not to speak to Martha despite both Corney and William’s attempts to intervene. But it was glaringly obvious, especially to those who knew him well, just how unhappy he was with the way that things had worked out. Cornelia had tried her hardest to convince him to at least go and meet his mother and try and talk to her, but Mike was adamant. Martha had to apologise to Corney and Joe before he would even consider it and even then, he had added, he wasn’t sure that he wanted to know. So, six weeks on, things were still at loggerheads. Mike had even gone as far as refusing to go home for Thanksgiving the previous week, opting to join in with the Flowers’ celebrations instead. He had been thoroughly miserable throughout the entire holiday and Cornelia was determined that he would not spend Christmas in the same vein. To that end, having run out of ideas for ways to help him, she had decided to pay a visit to Mrs. Ruggles to ask for some advice. Making her way up the stairs to the second floor, she approached door number three and knocked loudly. Voices sounded from inside and the next moment the door opened to reveal Richard’s smiling face. “Hello!” he grinned, stepping back to let Corney into the flat. “Have you come to eat Mrs. Ruggles’ flapjacks too? I thought only I knew about that secret!” Corney laughed as she took her coat off and hung it on the stand by the door. “Darn it, you’ve rumbled me! Where’s Mrs. Ruggles?” As she spoke, that lady’s head poked around the side of the study door, the telephone receiver clamped to her ear. Cornelia grinned. “Hey Velma!” Mrs. Ruggles gave her a little wave and motioned to the telephone, then disappeared back inside the study again. Richard chuckled and placed a hand on Corney’s shoulder, steering her into the salon. “She’s talking to Mr. Miller.” “Mr. Miller from downstairs?” “The very same!” “Why didn’t he just walk up and see her?” Richard grinned. “He did. She saw him through the peephole and pretended she wasn’t in! Now he’s rather called her bluff.” Cornelia giggled as she sat down on the sofa, imagining Mrs. Ruggles' face as she answered the phone and found out that it was her somewhat amorous neighbour on the other end of the line. Throwing a pile of papers off an armchair and onto the floor, Richard sat down opposite her. Then, leaning against the back of the chair, he put his hands behind his head and surveyed her curiously. “So, what brings you here?” “Can’t I come visit my friend without facing an inquisition?” Richard raised his eyebrows and Corney smiled. “Fine, you win. I need Velma’s advice.” “You and me both.” Cornelia’s brow furrowed in confusion. Richard watched her closely. “I saw Mike this morning.” “Oh?” “He looks awful, Corney.” “I know.” Cornelia stared at her lap and twisted her fingers together. “I’ve been trying to get him to see sense, Richard, I honestly have. I don’t know what else to do, he won’t listen to anything I say. That’s why I’m here. I thought Velma might have some bright idea as to what I should try next.” There was a brief pause and then Richard coughed to clear his throat. “You know, seeing as he’s in this state anyhow, why don’t you just tell him what Mom did?” “Because I don’t want him to know, I’ve told you that,” she replied hurriedly. “He mustn’t ever know.” “Why mustn’t he? Sorry, Corney, but I don’t understand. Surely you want him to know what she asked you to do? She deserves it, apart from anything else.” Heaving a sigh, Corney sank back in her seat and stared down at her lap. “You wanna hear something funny?” “Sure.” “Not so long ago, I’d have been hell bent on teaching her a lesson but now I’ve met Mike, I don’t care about all that.” She took a deep breath. “It’s not about getting revenge on your Mom. It’s about Mike, and how upset he’d be if he knew what she did. You’ve seen what he’s like just now and he doesn’t even know the half of it. Can you imagine how he’d react if he did know? I couldn’t bear to see him hurt like that, Rich, and he’s the most important thing to me in all of this.” “And you don’t think you owe it to him to tell him what she’s really like?” Cornelia shook her head. “No, I don’t. He views her differently to you, you know that. Despite everything, he still wants to try and think good of her – it’s as if he almost needs to.” She paused for a moment, twisting her fingers together, thinking hard, before she added, “The thing is, I don’t care about your Mom and what she said – not really, not anymore. She can try and force us apart all she wants. Mike’s proven to me that it won’t work so I needn’t worry. But he’s so unhappy, Rich. I’m not letting her make him any more miserable than she already has and if I told him what she really did, it would hurt him so much. She’s not doing that to him – not if I’ve a say in things, anyhow.” Richard gazed at her, a slow grin creeping across his face. “You know, I was flabbergasted when I found out Mike wanted to date you.” Corney stared back at him as if he had gone mad. “Thanks a bunch! You know how to kick a girl when she’s down!” “I don’t mean that! I just couldn’t figure out why he’d want to date you over Evvy, that’s all.” “Not making it any better, Richard.” Richard grimaced. “I haven’t finished yet, idiot!” She let out an indignant splutter and he quickly added, “If it’s any consolation, I was wrong. You know how stupid I can be.” “True!” “There’s no need to agree!” Corney raised her eyebrows and Richard let out a chuckle. “Mike had such a row with me, you know, told me a few home truths. I could only see you as my fun, scatty friend and couldn’t see why he saw you as something else. I thought he was crazy.” “And now?” “Now I think he’s a very lucky guy. I just hope that one day I can find someone half as decent as you.” Cornelia felt herself blushing, touched but embarrassed by his unexpected sentimentality. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” He stared back at her, utterly unabashed, and she grinned at the look on his face. “I didn’t know you had this soppy side to you. What happened to Richard van Alden, cad extraordinaire?” It was Richard’s turn to look embarrassed and he shook his head and laughed. “Shhh, don’t tell everyone!” Then in a softer voice, he added, “I just thought you should know, that’s all.” Cornelia smiled. “Well, you’re not so bad yourself, once you get under that veneer.” A wide grin spread across Richard’s face, and he got to his feet. “Right, well I’d best be off. I’m having dinner with Edie.” “I can’t believe you’re still dating her!” “Two months and counting!” Richard laughed. He had met his new girlfriend at his mother’s fixing-up tea and it was a standing joke that at least Martha had managed to matchmake one of her sons. “I think I may even like her – she’s such an antidote to Heavenly!” Surprised, Corney raised her eyebrows. “Might she be…?” A horrified look came over Richard’s face. “God lord no! But she’s fun to be with for now. Of course, should Evvy show some interest tomorrow…” “Which she never will!” “A guy can dream, can’t he?” He gave her a cheeky wink and made his way out into the hall. “I’ll see you soon. Let me know if there’s any change won’t you?” “Will do.” As he took his coat off the stand and pulled it on, Mrs. Ruggles emerged from the study. Richard grinned as he saw her. “How’s the beau?” “Don’t you start with all that, Richard van Alden!” she retorted, automatically adjusting his scarf around his neck. “Honestly, that man! He doesn’t know when to take no for an answer!” “Well I’m sure you set him right.” Laughing, Richard stooped to kiss her on the cheek. “Now, I have to get going. I’ll be by again next week. Bye Corney!” and with that he took his leave. Mrs. Ruggles popped quickly into the salon to give Cornelia a welcoming hug and then disappeared off to the kitchen to make them both a drink. She returned ten minutes later with two steaming mugs of cocoa. Handing one over to Corney, she sat down in the seat that Richard had vacated. Then, blowing on her drink to cool it down, she clasped her hands around the mug and gave her guest an inquisitive look. Corney smiled as she took a sip. The next second, gasping and pulling a face, she spat the drink back out again. “Ow!” “Burnt your tongue?” Cornelia nodded. “You have my sympathies! I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve done that over the years!” Blowing on her cocoa again, Mrs. Ruggles eyed her keenly and decided to come straight to the point. “So, am I right to guess you’ve come about Michael?| Corney’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know?” “Richard told me.” “He what? I told him not to say anything! What if he tells s…” “Corney, it’s okay,” Velma put in hurriedly, seeing how worried she was. “He only told me because he’s worried about him. He’s not going to say anything to anyone else.” “He better hadn’t!” “He won’t, you needn’t worry.” She took a sip of her drink and then set her mug down on the table next to her. “So how is Mike?” “Not so good.” Corney placed her drink on the floor at her feet and then curled her legs up underneath her. “I don’t know what to do, Velma. He’s so down, I hate seeing him this way. And he’s not eating properly. I’ve never known him not chow down his dinner, but he keeps just playing with it and pushing it round his plate – it’s so unlike him. I’m worried he’ll make himself sick.” She paused for a moment, and then decided to ask something that had been troubling her, something that her conversation with Richard had brought to the fore of her mind again. “Do you think I did the wrong thing not telling him? I know Richard does and so does Poppa.” Mrs. Ruggles shook her head. “For what it’s worth, I think you did exactly the right thing, so you just ignore what Richard and your father have to say. They’re men, they don’t understand these things.” Cornelia chuckled and Velma gave her a warm smile. “Corney, I know it feels horrible keeping it from him but he’s had enough disappointments from his mother over the years without adding any more, especially one as big as this.” “That’s what I thought too.” “Well you were right to think so. I know those boys inside out and Mike…well, let’s just say he doesn’t have the same resistance to Martha that Richard has.” Her face broke into a wistful smile. “My husband used to say that everyone has a weak point – it was something he learnt during his many business deals.” Cornelia nodded. “I’ve heard Poppa say that too.” “Yes, well it’s very true, and Martha just so happens to be Mike’s. For whatever reason, he craves her approval. It’s why he went in for stockbroking instead of carpentry. She didn’t think making furniture was a proper career. You see that table there?” she asked, pointing to the rickety, wonky coffee table in the centre of her room. “It was one of the first things Mike ever made. He was so proud of it and he gave it to his parents, and the very next day, he came home from school to find it in the yard next to the trash. When he confronted her, Martha just said it didn’t ‘fit with the furniture they already had’. I don’t think she even let William see it. That’s when Mike gave it to me instead.” “I had no idea!” Cornelia looked aghast. “The mealy-mouthed, old…” She caught Mrs Ruggles’ twinkling eye and decided not to finish that particular epithet. “Argh, she makes me so mad! How could she do that to her own son?” “It’s Martha all over, I’m afraid. Mike doesn’t talk about it all that much, but I’m sure it hurt him a fair bit.” A trace of anger crept into Mrs. Ruggles voice. “She still dismisses his work, even now. I believe she views it as beneath her family to do such things!” She shook her head. “So in answer to your question, no, I don’t think you did the wrong thing in not telling him.” “What if he finds out in the future, though? He’ll be mad as anything at me.” Velma gave her young friend a thoughtful look. “Have you told anyone outside the family?” Cornelia shook her head. “Only Evvy, but she’ll never breathe a word, I’m sure of that.” “Well in that case, you needn’t worry. He’ll never find out. William and Richard are far from stupid, they know how things stand. They’ll be sure to keep it to themselves. The only way he’ll ever find out is if you choose to tell him.” “I guess I it just feels so deceitful, that’s all.” Mrs. Ruggles smiled. “Well just remember that you’re doing it for him – that ought to clear that up. Corney nodded. “I guess.” She took a deep breath. “I just don’t know what to do, Velma. He won’t let me help. He just keeps saying he’ll never talk to her ever again. You know,” she added, a trace of bitterness creeping into her voice, “I really can’t abide Martha and believe me, I’d happily never see her again, but it’s not what Mike really wants. He’s doing it for me and he’s so unhappy, which makes me unhappy, so it’s all so pointless. I just…I thought you might be able to help?” They lapsed into silence, as Velma sat back in her chair, thinking hard. After a long pause, she eventually leaned forward and eyed Cornelia intently. “You do realise that if this all gets fixed, you’ll have to see her and put up with all her little comments towards you?” “I know. But she’s his Mom, whatever I think of her. Please, won’t you help?” Noting the desperation in her voice, Mrs. Ruggles gave in. “Of course I will,” she smiled. “You leave it to me.” “What are you going to do?” “Never you mind. Now, how about we leave Mike aside and talk about something else. How’s Evvy? And how’s Carol getting on with the pregnancy? Is she well?” They spent the next hour or so catching up with their news and chatting about this and that, and by the time Cornelia finally left to go home, she was in a far more cheerful frame of mind. Mrs. Ruggles saw her out, and then closing the front door behind her, she made her way through the study. Picking up the telephone receiver, she gave the operator a Duxbury number, pulled up a chair and waited for someone to answer. When they did, she asked to speak to the lady of the house. A minute later, a new voice came on the line. “Velma, how delightful! To what do I owe this pleasure?” “Good afternoon, Martha. I think we need to have a little talk…” |
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| Author: | francesn [ Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:10 pm ] |
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Yay! So glad to see this back Jo. Thank you |
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| Author: | Mary [ Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:34 pm ] |
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Woo! Go Mrs Ruggles. Kick that measley old weiner's ass. |
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| Author: | LizB [ Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:11 pm ] |
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Hurrah for Mrs Ruggles
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| Author: | Chalet_school_lover [ Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:44 pm ] |
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I forgot how much I was enjoying this drabble Thanks Josie, it's great to read it again!
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| Author: | Kathy_S [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:11 am ] |
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Thanks so much for reposting.
Quote: “I think I may even like her – she’s such an antidote to Heavenly!” -giggles at Richard
*eyes Velma expectantly* |
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| Author: | Nell [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:21 am ] |
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Yay! Go Velma... Thanks Jo. |
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| Author: | Mia [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:11 am ] |
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Oooh thank you for reposting Jo! May we have some more please? 
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| Author: | Josie [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:10 pm ] |
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Neither Mrs. Ruggles nor Martha ever did divulge the contents of their conversation. All Cornelia knew was that four days after her visit to Velma, a letter arrived in the post from Martha, stating that it was possible that she had misjudged Corney’s intentions and inviting the Flowers’ for lunch at the Van Alden’s Duxbury home, with a view to ‘clearing the air’. It was not exactly an apology, but it was at least a peace offering of sorts. It was the following weekend before Cornelia had a chance to bring the matter up with Mike. The pair of them had met in a diner in the city for a spot of lunch, and unsure how he was going to react, and not wanting him to brood his way through the meal, she waited until they had finished their burgers before saying anything. Then, once the waitress had removed their plates and left them with the dessert menus, Corney reached into her bag and pulled out Martha’s letter. “So, I…er…I received a letter this week,” she began, trying to make her voice sound as light and breezy as possible. Mike was only half-listening, as he used the back of his spoon to check that nothing was stuck in his teeth. “Did you?” “Uh-huh. I thought you might like to have a read of it,” and she slid it across table towards him. Mike picked it up and glanced nonchalantly at the front of the envelope. The next moment, as he caught sight of the handwriting on the front, his eyes widened and he gave it his full attention. “What on earth…?” “Please, Mike. Just read it.” Drawing his mouth into a straight line, he hesitated at first, then pulled out the letter, unfolded the pages and began to scan the words. He read it through twice before folding it up again and handing it back to Corney in silence. Cornelia watched him anxiously as she slipped the letter back into her handbag. “So, what do you think?” Mike stared at the table as he replied. “I think it’s my mother all over,” he replied, his voice flat and cold. “It's so like her to think she can just contact you out of the blue, no apology or anything, and then expect us to go running.” “Perhaps it’s her way of apologising?” “Apologies include saying sorry. I don’t see the word ‘sorry’ in there anywhere, do you?” “No, but…” “I said she had to apologise, Corney, and I meant it,” he replied firmly. Then, picking up the menu, he pointedly changed the subject. “Now, how about dessert? The strawberry sundae looks good.” Cornelia stared at him, as he deliberately avoided looking at her, his eyes skimming the menu instead. Deciding to take the hint and leave it for now, she heaved a sigh and turned her attention to the puddings, determined to bring the subject up again, the next time she got the chance. An hour later they finally finished their meal and pulling on their coats and wrapping themselves up in their gloves, scarves and hats, they made their way outside. It was a beautiful, crisp December day – the kind of day that makes you feel vibrant and alive. Although the thermometers read minus five degrees, the shine shone brightly in the clear, blue sky, glinting off the snow that covered the city like a blanket of white cotton wool. Mike took a deep breath, savouring the fresh winter air, and then glanced down at Cornelia with a smile. “Cab or walk?” Corney looked around her and a wide grin spread across her face. She would never tire of the sight of snow on the ground. “Walk, definitely.” Mike raised his eyebrows. “You are aware that it’s bitterly cold out here? You’re not going to start bellyaching halfway home?” “No!” she gave an indignant snort and then swept her arm around her. “I don’t care if it’s cold. It’s crisp and lovely and the snow is all crunchy. You know I adore the snow!” Mike grinned. “You’re an old romantic at heart aren’t you?” Cornelia pulled a disgusted face, as if she’d just been told something unsavoury. “I am not! I just like snow, that’s all!” Then, before Mike could say anything else, she took hold of his hand. “Let’s go before it gets dark, shall we?” and with that she began dragging him down the road. They strolled down Tremont Street and entered the common, chatting idly about this and that as they went. Cornelia waited until they were halfway across the open space, with nobody around them, before she broached the subject of the letter again. Mike looked less than impressed when she reiterated her request that they accept Martha’s invitation and she gazed up at him with pleading eyes. “Please, Mike, it’s important! I know what she’s like, but she’s still your mother, after all and that’s gotta count for something. I know what it’s like not to have a mother, and you don’t want that. I can live with the way she is, I don’t mind. Please?” Mike stared down at her and took a moment before he replied. “I’ll think about it, okay? I promise!” he added, as she begged him with her eyes. “Thank you.” Cornelia squeezed his arm and they lapsed into silence as they walked on a little further, Mike lost deep in thought. After a couple of minutes, he took his hand from his pocket and placed his arm around her shoulders. “Do you miss your mom?” Cornelia smiled and shook her head. “Not as such. You can’t miss someone you never knew. Poppa’s my life - him and my friends. And now you, of course.” She reached up to squeeze the hand that clasped her shoulder. “But there have certainly been times when I’ve missed the idea of having a mother. Evvy’s mom was always great to me, but she was ill herself almost the entire time I knew her. I guess Mademoiselle, my head at school, was the nearest thing I’ve ever had to a Mom of my own.” “Your headmistress?” Mike asked in surprise. Corney nodded. “She and Madame, who started the school. But it was Mlle mainly. She was such a lovely woman, Mike. So strong and quiet. She gave me a second chance when I really didn’t deserve one and I’ll always be grateful for that.” “Why? What did you do?” “Let’s just say I wasn’t all that nice when I first went to the school and Mlle…well, she gave me the chance to change.” She paused briefly, staring down at her feet as they crunched through the snow. “You know me by now – I never really talk when things bother me. But if it all ever got too hard, I’d sneak in to see her and ask her advice. Nobody ever knew. Evvy and my friend Joey both figured it out, and I think Matey suspected, but they never asked and I never told them. Then she died about seven years ago now, and I still really miss her.” Mike tightened his arm around her shoulders, and she looked up and gave him a smile. She had taken herself by surprise, talking about something that ran so deep, but now she had started, she didn’t seem to be able to stop. “It sounds so stupid, but sometimes…you know when you’re sick and you just want your Momma to look after you?” Mike nodded. “Well I never had that until Mlle. Poppa tried his hardest, but he was always away working.” Her mind began to wonder as she thought about her father. “Then when he was so sick when we were in Ireland, I was so scared I’d lose him and I needed someone to lean on and Mlle had died and there was no-one there. I managed okay, I guess, but I felt real lonely. That’s one of those times when I would have liked to have a Mom. Don’t ever tell Poppa I said all that, will you?” “Of course not.” Mike promised, stooping to drop a kiss on the top of her head and giving her a concerned look. “You okay?” Cornelia toyed with his coat pocket as she nodded her head. “I’ve never really talked about anything like this before. It’s strange.” “Well I’m glad you’re able to talk about it with me.” Corney lifted her face to look up at him and he bent to kiss her gently on the lips. Then, as he pulled back again, she reached her hand up to hold his lapel. “So listen, for all her faults, don’t cut her out of your life, Mike. There may be one day that you really need her.” Mike nodded and said nothing. A moment later, a wicked grin crossed his face. “See, you are a soppy soul really!” Cornelia looked offended. “Am not!” “You are!” “Not!” “Are!” “You’re asking for it, Michael van Alden!” and pulling away from his side, she picked up a handful of snow and threw it at him. “So, it’s like that, is it?” and he returned the favour with interest. Cornelia shrieked as a huge lump disappeared down the front of her coat. Gathering up another mound of powder, she turned to throw it but Mike was too quick for her. Grabbing her around the waist, he thrust a handful of snow at her, rubbing it soundly into her face. Cornelia squirmed to free herself, and Mike laughed as he looked down at his hand. “Hey, look at that! Your face has come off on the snow!” and he held his hand up, showing the make-up smeared across the white powder. Corney looked put out, as he laughed again, and trying to catch him out, she grabbed his arm and tried to trip him up. Mike stumbled as she wrapped her leg behind his, and the next moment, they were both face down in the snow. Rolling onto her back, Cornelia began to giggle, setting Mike off as well. It was several minutes before they managed to pull themselves together, as every time they caught each other’s eyes, it set them off again. Eventually, Mike sat up, clutching his aching sides and wiping tears from his eyes, and noting Corney trying to calm her giggles, he leant down to kiss her. Corney returned his kiss, and then saying "Truce, okay?" she struggled to her feet. Her fair, bobbed hair was up on end, and she laughed as she brushed the snow from the front of her coat. “So, you never gave me an answer. Can we go see your Mom?” Mike stared up at her for a second, and then shook his head and rolled his eyes in resignation. “Fine, we can go. But I’m only doing this for you, I want that noted.” Grinning, Cornelia held out her hand to pull him to his feet. “Noted. And Mike?" "Yes?" "Thanks,” she said softly, reaching up to peck him on the cheek. “You won’t regret it, I promise you.” Mike raised his eyebrows, his hand firmly behind his back. “I may not,” he replied, his expression unreadable, “but you might,” and he pulled his arm forward to reveal a huge handful of snow. Corney backed away, pushing him off her with her outstretched arm. “It’s a truce, idiot!” “Is it? I don’t remember saying that!” and as he tried to pull her towards him, Cornelia wrenched her arm from his grasp and with a wild shriek, she set off full pelt across the common, with Mike in hot pursuit. |
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| Author: | Nell [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:38 am ] |
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Great post Jo - love the mix of seriousness and silliness. Mike and Corney are really good together. Thank you! |
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| Author: | LizB [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:14 pm ] |
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That bit about Mademoiselle was lovely* Thanks Jo (*not that the rest of the post wasn't, but that in particular) |
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| Author: | Chalet_school_lover [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:43 pm ] |
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Sooooo lovely, them playing in the snow and the bit about Mademoiselle! Thanks Josie
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| Author: | Mary [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:45 pm ] |
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I'm loving Mike and Corney. Keep on writing! |
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| Author: | Josie [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:02 pm ] |
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Mike kept his promise, and a couple of days later, he, Cornelia and Joe found themselves at the Van Aldens’ home for lunch. Mike had been dreading it ever since Corney had talked him into agreeing, but he needn’t have worried, for Martha was on her best behaviour. As a matter of fact, ‘best behaviour’ was an understatement. Having taken whatever Mrs. Ruggles had said very much to heart, she was being cringingly, nauseatingly nice. For her part, far from being the awkward situation she had been fearing, Cornelia found the entire thing absolutely hilarious, not in small part because every time Martha made a sycophantic comment to her or her father, Richard, who had decided to come along for the show, pulled a face behind his mother’s back. Several times throughout lunch, Corney found herself having to bury her face in her napkin or turning her giggles into a cough. As soon as lunch was over, William excitedly bore Joe off to examine his wine cellar and Mike went to take a look at why Richard’s car wouldn’t start. Left alone in the salon with Cornelia, Martha took a seat on one of the rigid, fashionable sofas and regarded her guest with a lofty air. For once, however, Corney was having none of it. Secure in the strength of her relationship with Mike, she was determined not to let Martha intimidate her in the way that she had previously, and she looked her hostess straight in the eye. “Was there something you were wanting to say to me, Martha?” she asked, her tone polite and indifferent. For a fleeting moment, it looked as if Martha’s façade were about to crack, as a nerve above her left eye began to twitch. Then, as quickly as it had disappeared, her ingratiating smile returned once more. “I suppose I should thank you for not telling Michael,” she replied, her voice sounding as if she were speaking under duress. Cornelia fixed her with a frosty stare. “I didn’t do it for your sake, I did it for his.” Squirming slightly in her seat, Martha coughed to clear her throat. “Yes well, be that as it may, I thank you all the same.” “Fine.” Corney replied, fighting to keep her voice calm. “I promise you though, Martha, should you ever do anything like that again, I’ll tell him every last detail. And I think we both know who’d come off best should it come down to that, don’t we?” Having said her piece, Cornelia got to her feet and made her way across the room, not wanting to prolong the conversation any further. “Excuse me, but I think I’ll go see how they’re coming along with Richard’s car.” She had just reached the door when she was stayed by Martha’s voice. “You know, despite what you may think of me, I do love my sons.” Corney paused, her hand on the handle. “Well perhaps you should show them that then. You could start by apologising to Mike for ruining things last time – you owe him that much,” and without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving Martha alone to think over what had just been said. Walking across the hall, she reached the front door and was just about to open it when she heard someone rattling the knob from the far side and stepped back just in time, as Mike threw open the door. He stopped as he caught sight of her and flashed her a wide grin. “I was just coming to look for you!” “And I was coming to look for you!” Cornelia replied, returning his smile. “How’s Richard’s car?” “Dead as the proverbial dodo! I’ll ask my buddy Jim to come take a look at it tomorrow. His Pop owns the repair shop in town so he knows far more about cars than either Rich or I do.” “So what are you up to now?” “Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing!” Putting his arms around her waist, he pulled her towards him. “Sorry for leaving you with my mother. I hope she wasn’t too awful?” Cornelia smiled and shook her head. “She’s not been so bad. Today’s actually been good. In fact,” she added, with an afterthought, thinking that a little white lie would do no harm, “she wants to talk to you.” Mike frowned. “Do I have to?” “Yes, you do. Come on, Mike,” she pleaded, as Mike pulled a face, “she’s trying, you know she is.” Mike heaved a sigh. “I suppose you’re right. It can’t do any harm to talk to her, I guess.” He planted a kiss on Corney’s forehead. “Make sure you stay right here, though. I shan’t be long and then you and I are going to build a snowman!” Cornelia laughed. “You’re such a kid, Michael van Alden!” “At your service!” Mike grinned, kissed her again and then released her. “Back in a few minutes,” and with that, he turned and went into the salon. As he closed the door behind him, Mr. Flower suddenly appeared at the doorway to the cellar. Cornelia chuckled as she saw him. He and William had clearly been sampling a few tipples, as her father had a spot of red wine on the front of his shirt. “What have you done with William?” Joe looked up at the sound of her voice and beamed. “He’s opening a bottle or two to breath. Some damn fine tipples he has down there!” Cornelia rolled her eyes. “So I’m driving home then, I take it?” “Would you mind?” She shook her head. “So, how was the Wicked Witch of the West?” “Poppa, shhh! She’ll hear you!” “Not sure that I care after what she did to you. In fact, I dunno which is worse – her the last time we saw her or her today. Have you ever witnessed anything so nauseating as that display during lunch?” Corney laughed. “I know but please, Poppa, let’s just do this for Mike, okay?” You know what it means to him.” “Alright, alright, I know, I promise to be good. So long as you don’t expect me to be friends with the woman!” “Good lord no!” She grinned and slipped a hand through her father’s arm. “Come on, let’s go see if William needs a hand.” == Meanwhile, back in the salon, Martha watched her son as he sat down on the arm of the sofa. Mike crossed his arms across his chest and glared back at her. “Corney says you wanted to see me?” Martha raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Did she?” “Yes.” There was a moment’s silence as Martha stared at him. “So? What do you want, Mom? I don’t have all day.” “I don’t want anything!” “Well why did you tell Corney you wanted to talk with me then?” “I didn’t!” Martha snapped back, looking affronted. “What do you mean you didn’t? Corney said…oh.” He stopped as realisation dawned, and drew his mouth into a straight line. “I guess she must have been mistaken then,” and getting to his feet, he walked towards the door. “Lunch went well,” she called after him, and he turned back to face her. “Yes, it was okay.” Martha gave him a nervous smile. “So, what have you been up to?” “Working, the same as ever. Mom, do you actually want something?” Martha said nothing and Mike rolled his eyes. “Right, well this is stupid. I’m going back to join the others.” “Michael wait, please. I’m…” Martha stared down at her lap as she mumbled. “I’m sorry.” Mike stared at her, not sure that he had heard her right. “I beg your pardon?” “I said I’m sorry.” Martha lifted her head to look him in the eye. “Sorry that I was so rude to Cornelia and her father, and that I ruined your tea like that.” There was a moment’s silence before Mike slowly replied. “Okay...” “Michael, I only do things because I care, you know.” “How does you being so rude to my girl equate to caring?” “I just want you to have the very best!” “Corney is the very best for me, Mom. She loves me for just who I am, not what my name is or who you and Pop are. She cares about what happens to me and whether I’m happy or not, and quite frankly I love her to bits and she’s all I want in my life.” “I care about what happens to you too, Michael, you are my son…” “Well you’ve a funny way of showing it sometimes.” Martha stared down at her lap again, for once in her life looking genuinely shamefaced. “I know.” She paused and then raised her eyes back to her son. “I promise that from now on, I will be nothing but polite her.” “And accept her as the girl I want to be with?” Mike’s question was greeted with silence. “Mom?” “And accept her as the girl you want to be with,” Martha replied reluctantly, the word’s sticking slightly in her throat. Mike stared at her for a moment, and then his face broke into a broad grin. “Okay!” and crossing the room towards her, he threw his arms around and enveloped her in a bear hug. Martha stood rigid in his arms for a couple of seconds, and then tentatively reached around and patted him on the back. “I thought perhaps this afternoon we could all sit down,” she said, as he released her and she straightened her clothing and patted down her hair, “get to know more about each other and our backgrounds.” “Mom!” “What? I’m interested! I’m not going to judge anyone!” “No, of course you’re not!” Mike rolled his eyes. “I’ve a better idea. Corney and I are going to build a snowman. Why don’t you come help us out? Get to know her that way?” “I can’t go building snowmen!” “Why not?” “Because I’m a grown adult!” “So? Come on, Mom, live a little!” “But…but I’m wearing Chanel!” “Then go change! Come along, Mother, you’re coming to build a snowman and I’m not taking no for an answer!” and as she continued protesting, he placed a strong hand on her back and pushed her towards the door. |
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| Author: | Kat [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:01 pm ] |
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*giggling* If Martha builds a snowman, at least it will prove she's a human being not a Stepford Wife type woman! |
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| Author: | Nell [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:09 pm ] |
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You tell her Mike!! And well done Martha for apologising - she's can't have found that easy. Thanks hon! |
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| Author: | Mary [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:34 pm ] |
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Lovely Mike Lovely Corney Snow Snowman building All you need for a FAB STORY!!! Loving it. M xxx |
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| Author: | patmac [ Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:33 pm ] |
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Lovely, Jo! My judgement of a really good tale is when you can read it twice and enjoy it as much (if not more) the second time. This sure qualifies for that 
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| Author: | LizB [ Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:55 pm ] |
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Snowman building - what fun Hope they all join in - could be a real ice-breaker
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| Author: | Kathye [ Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:42 pm ] |
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Liz, thats a terrible joke, no wonder she hasn't updated for so long.....
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| Author: | Gem [ Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:10 pm ] |
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Thank you, Jo - love the last update in particular! *hints that more would not be unwelcome*
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| Author: | Kat [ Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:22 pm ] |
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*nods and agrees with Gems* Pretty please, Jo? |
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| Author: | jacey [ Tue Aug 29, 2006 2:31 pm ] |
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I think Corney has had a nice long holiday now, so its time to come back and give us a little more of the story Josie. *Pretty please with sugar on top* |
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