LIFE & THE WADHAMS
Children’s budgets and arbitrar y punishments stand in the way of a per fect family Christmas…
From the vantage point of her granny flat window at No 23 Elderslie Terrace, Polly Wadham could see all the comings and goings at the neighbouring house, where Paul and Seb lived with their two small children. Not that Polly was nosey – just interested in her fellow folk, as she constantly explained to husband Mike. And this Saturday morning, she was looking out for her grandson Matty returning from his walk with Tyson. His mum and dad had gone out for the day with baby Ruby, and so she was on Granny duty.
To her surprise, though, Matty simply shooed Tyson through the door of
No 23, then headed immediately for next door. The door opened and Amanda, Seb and Paul’s 11-year-old daughter beckoned him in, her finger to her lips.
Polly chuckled. Amanda’s grandmother Agatha was a formidable force, and she guessed the children wanted to stay under her radar.
But why didn’t Amanda just come over here?
In fact, Amanda was grounded, for being cheeky – yet again – to her gran. Since coming to stay with Paul and Seb, and after an initial rocky start, Agatha had tried hard to rein in her nippy tongue, and her son and partner did their best to meet her halfway. They expected Amanda to do the same.
Grounding didn’t include having friends round, hence all the subterfuge!
Now she and Matty huddled together at the side of her bed, poring over Amanda’s laptop as they discussed their Christmas wishlist.
Not for themselves – those requests had gone in some time ago, Now they were looking for ideas for gifts to buy their families.
“I know what I’m getting Mum and Dad,” Matty said. “They both need new gloves. And I’m getting Jennifer a notebook and pens. Ruby’s easy – there’s loads of stuff for babies in the shops. I’ll get Grandma and Grandad chocolates and I don’t have to get Alex anything, ‘cos he won’t be home. He’s somewhere in Vietnam now with Natalie.
“But I don’t know what to get Uncle Drew. He doesn’t eat chocolates, and he doesn’t need scarves or hats or gloves.”
“Men are so hard to buy for,” said Amanda with wisdom beyond her eleven years. “I’m getting Dad and Papa smelly Lynx sets, but maybe your uncle wouldn’t like that.
“He’s a vet, isn’t he? Why don’t you get him something to do with animals? Let’s search gifts for animal lovers and see what comes up.”
Minutes later, the children were staring, awestruck, at the screen.
“That’s wicked!” Matty breathed.
“That” was a bright scarlet knitted jumper featuring a Scottie dog that was almost 3D. Matty was sure his uncle would love it. He sighed.
“But look at the price.”
“Seventy pounds!” Amanda’s voice rose incautiously.
“Ssh –” Matty warned, but it was too late. The door flew open and
Agatha appeared.
“Matthew Clark, what are you doing here? Amanda, I’m surprised at you.