Odd One Out

Dawn’s friends were all having grandchildren. When would she be so lucky?

IWANTED to speak to Matthew, too.” Dawn’s husband, Pete, looked apologetic as he put down the phone. “Sorry, love. He rang off before I could stop him.”

She sighed and leaned back in the sun lounger, letting the warmth of the summer morning melt over her.

“Well, as long as he’s OK.”

Pete didn’t reply. Dawn glanced at him. He was avoiding her gaze, adjusting his sunglasses and pulling a cap over his thinning hair.

“Pete, he’s all right, isn’t he?”

“Yes, love. He’s fine.” Matthew was their younger child, although even he was nearly thirty. Sara, their elder child, was already thirty-three. Dawn often wondered where all the time had gone.

“What’s going on?” she asked, sitting up and fixing her husband with a piercing look. “I know something’s happened. Spill the beans.”

Pete rubbed his chin and grimaced.

“Don’t get upset, love, but Matt’s broken up with Rachel.”

Dawn frowned and slumped back in her chair. No wonder Matthew hadn’t wanted to speak to her.

She stared moodily around their garden. A multitude of roses were basking in the sunlight, the old fruit trees rustled gently, and Pebbles, their moggy, was curled up in the shade with her kittens.

All was peaceful and settled. Why couldn’t her children settle, too?

Of course, Sara was happily married, but she’d just got another promotion and seemed no more likely to start a family now than when she’d married eight years before. As for Matthew, he’d been through one girlfriend after another.

Dawn sighed. Rachel had seemed such a nice girl and they’d been together for three years. She’d had such high hopes.

Pete grinned and took her hand.

“It’s no good, love,” he said. “They have to live their lives at their own pace.”

Dawn nodded. She knew he was right.

“You wouldn’t want Matt to marry the wrong girl.”

“No, of course not. I just want them to be happy.”

“But they are, sweetheart. Matt loves his bachelor life. He’ll change when the time’s right. As for Sara, she and Paul couldn’t be happier, and she’s having so much fun with her career.”

That was certainly true. Dawn couldn’t help but compare her daughter’s enthusiasm with her own attitude to work.

Perhaps she and Pete had done things too quickly.

Her parents had certainly thought so. Dawn had left school at sixteen and been married at eighteen. By the time she was Sara’s age, she’d already had two children of ten and thirteen.

But she had loved it. Bringing up Sara and Matthew had been far more rewarding than the mundane job that she now went to so grudgingly every morning.

Pete smiled. “Maybe you should take a course or find a new job instead of waiting to become a granny.”

He was probably right. Later that day, as Dawn entered the café, she was feeling more upbeat. She was looking forward to tea with her three friends, Barbara, Jane and Angela.

Now the news had sunk in, she had to admit that, lovely though Rachel was, she had harboured some doubts as to her and Matthew’s compatibility. Perhaps the split was for the best.

Moreover, lots of people were having their children later these days – there would be plenty of time for all that.

She raised her hand and waved at Jane, who was standing near the counter. “How are you?” Jane, looking cool in a pair of linen trousers and a silk blouse, came over and hugged her.

“I’m well, thanks. You?” “Not bad at all.” Dawn looked up to see two other women entering the shop, wearing summer dresses and strappy sandals.

“Here are the others. Let’s eat outside. It’s such a beautiful day.”

They were soon sitting at a table in the café’s garden. It was laden with pots of tea and plates of scones. A flaming honeysuckle climbed the wall near them, filling the air with scent.

Angela spoke first. She could hardly wait until they’d sat down before the words came spilling out.

“You’ll never guess what’s happened!” she cried. “My Suzie’s had her baby!”

There were squeals of delight from around the table.

Angela laughed, her face rosy with happiness.

“It’s a little boy. They’ve called him George, after my father.”

“That’s wonderful.” Dawn added her congratulations to the others. She was pleased for Angela and her daughter, especially since Suzie had experienced some difficulties during her pregnancy.

“I’m so glad it’s all gone well.”

“Yes, he was born in the early hours of

yesterday morning. He’s gorgeous. Take a look.” Angela passed her phone around and Dawn was soon gazing at a handsome baby boy, all softness and dimples.

“Oh, he’s wonderful.” She sighed, her eyes moist behind her sunglasses. “I think he looks a bit like your Chris,” she added. Angela was delighted. “I’ll tell him that, Dawn. He’ll be over the moon.” She grinned.

It was Angela’s second grandchild, but her first grandson, and soon Barbara – with seven grandchildren to her name – was giving out advice with all the assurance of an old hand.

Dawn wasn’t sure what she could contribute, so instead she bit into a scone, savouring its sweetness, and tried to catch Jane’s eye.

Jane was her one ally amongst the ranks of grannies that they knew. The only friend she had who had no new additions to her family.

However, Jane seemed to be oblivious. She was looking through the photos on Angela’s phone, a soppy smile on her face.

After a moment, she looked up, patted her dark hair and cleared her throat.

“I don’t want to steal Angela’s thunder,” she said, a little red in the face, “but I have some news of my own.”

The other three stopped what they were doing and turned towards her.

“What is it?” Angela asked, smiling.

“Well,” she said proudly, with an apologetic glance at Dawn. “My Connie is finally expecting.”

Dawn was getting ready to go next door. She was going to babysit for her neighbour, Clara, and she was looking forward to it.

Though she was usually a positive soul, she had to admit that yesterday’s revelations had got her down.

Of course, she was thrilled for her friends, but she couldn’t help wishing that her turn would come.

She grabbed her keys and some gifts that she had found for the children and headed downstairs.

“See you later,” she called to Pete as she opened the front door and stepped into the muggy afternoon.

Clara must have been looking out for her, because she opened her front door while Dawn was unlatching the gate.

“Hi, Dawn. Thank you so much for coming, especially at short notice.”

Dawn smiled.

“It’s my pleasure. An afternoon with the children will really perk me up.” Clara looked concerned. “Is everything OK?” she asked.

“Oh, yes,” Dawn replied. “What about you?” Clara grimaced. “Come into the kitchen and I’ll fill you in.”

Dawn sat down while Clara put the kettle on. It was a sunny room and the window was ajar, letting in some air and birdsong.

“What’s up?” Dawn asked as Clara handed her a mug of coffee.

“I’m not sure.” She looked upset. “Harry’s not himself at the moment. He’s quiet and withdrawn. I’ve tried talking to him, but he says he’s fine. He might need some extra TLC today.”

Harry was Clara’s eightyear-old son. Usually he was a bit boisterous and loud.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on him,” Dawn reassured her. “How’s Lila?”

Clara’s face relaxed into a smile.

“Oh, she’s fine. Still busy trying to become an artist. I think she’s drawing now.”

Clara led the way into the lounge and sure enough, Lila, her daughter, was sitting on the floor surrounded by felt-tip pens and pencils of every colour, hard at work.

The ten-year-old looked up as they entered, her brown plait bouncing, and smiled.

“Hi, Dawn,” she said. “Hi, Lila. You look busy. What a beautiful picture.”

Lila grinned and went back to work.

Dawn looked round for Harry. Usually she could hear him before she caught sight of him, but today he was curled up, still and quiet, watching cartoons. He didn’t look up.

“Say hello to Dawn, Harry.”

“Hi,” he muttered. Clara shrugged at Dawn. “I’ll have to go,” she said, glancing at her watch. “See you later, kids.” And she was gone.

Dawn sat down on the sofa and took out her gifts.

“I was doing some clearing out earlier and I found a couple of things I thought you might like.”

She had been keeping some of Sara and Matthew’s toys for her grandchildren, but she was beginning to think that there wasn’t much point.

She passed a pad of multi-coloured paper and some pens to Lila, whose face lit up.

“Thanks, Dawn. I’m going to use these for my collage.”

Then Dawn turned to Harry.

“I found this for you,” she said, passing him a box.

He opened it and looked inside. There were two Lego sets complete with instructions. Harry loved Lego.

“Thanks,” he said quietly. Then he replaced the lid and turned back to the TV. Dawn shook her head. Despite Harry’s lethargy, she spent an enjoyable afternoon helping Lila with her art project as she chattered away.

All the while, she kept one eye on Harry and, as she watched him, a memory came unbidden to her mind of Matthew at a similar age.

Perhaps that’s it, she thought.

The next day, Dawn had just got in from work,when the doorbell rang. She looked out of the window and saw Clara standing outside.

“Come in,” she called. “I’m just getting some lemonade from the fridge.”

As Clara entered, she passed her a glass of cloudy liquid, rattling with ice cubes.

“Thank you. That’s perfect.” Clara took a long, slow sip. “I think it’s getting hotter every day.”

“It is. Now, grab a seat and tell me how I can help.” Clara laughed.

“No, no,” she said. “You already have. I’ve popped over to thank you.” Dawn raised an eyebrow. “You were right about Harry. He was being bullied. However did you know?” Dawn tapped her nose. “I haven’t been a parent all these years without learning the odd thing or two.” She grinned. “Matthew went through something similar.”

“I’m really grateful, Dawn. Harry’s more himself again. I went down to the school and they’re sorting it out. I can’t thank you enough.”

Dawn was clearing away when Pete entered the kitchen.

“Clara looks happier,” he said, giving her a hug. “I guess your hunch was right.”

“Yes.” Dawn nodded cheerfully. “Another boy had found out that he’s adopted and was giving him a hard time, but it’s all sorted now.”

“You’re really great with children, you know,” Pete said admiringly. He gave her a quizzical look. “Talking of adoption, I’ve had an idea.”

Dawn put down her tea towel and looked at him sharply.

“I don’t know how you’d feel,” he said, “but what if we were to foster? You know, rather than waiting to be grandparents, have a second family ourselves. We’re still young.” Dawn’s eyes sparkled. “It would mean you giving up work,” he added.

She laughed.

“That won’t be much of a sacrifice. Oh, Pete, it’s a wonderful idea.”

He grinned, lifting her up and twirling her around.

“Yes, I think so, too. Let’s get on with living our lives. Give the kids space to enjoy theirs on their own terms and who knows? It might even give them a few ideas!” n