A mother and her son are moving across the country, From Catterick to Cornwall. Their estate car is packed to the brim with boxes and cases, the roof rack too. As the mother is strapping the last few things to the roof rack, the new tenants of their home arrive and they chat. Mum introduces herself as Maggie and amongst the small talk, tells them that she lost the boy’s father in Helmand six months ago, hence the move.
The boy appears at the open front door, holding a vacuum cleaner. “Maggie!” he hollers. “I’ve finished the hoovering, does this need to go in the car?” he asked.
“No that belongs to the house Peter.” his mother replied.
“He uses your first name… how modern.” the woman says.
“I’m his step-mother.” Maggie replied. “Peter’s mother left when he when he was younger and I met his father a year later.”
“Oh I see.” the woman says.
“So for all intents and purposes, you are his mother.”
“I like to think so.” Maggie smiled. “He doesn’t remember his real mum and I’m all he has now.”
“Oh bless him… it can’t be easy losing his father at his age.”
“No, but he’s tough. Like his Dad, a real trouper.” Maggie smiled.
“Here he comes.” the woman said as Peter exited the house.
Maggie’s phone rings. “I’ve got to take this… excuse me,” Maggie says, wondering down the drive, out of earshot and answering the phone.
“You must be Peter?” the woman smiles when the boy exits the house and approaches the car. They chat whilst his step-mum is clearly having a heated conversation. “So you’re moving to Cornwall I understand.”
“Yes,” Peter replied. “Maggie’s going to teach me to surf… it’s gonna be really cool.”
“So it’s Bude you’re moving to?”
“Just outside… Stratton.” Peter replied.
“Ah… I don’t know it, but I do know that Bude is excellent for surfing… you’ll have a lot of fun there.”
“Yeah,” Peter replied, glancing at Maggie who seems frustrated on the phone.
“It’s a long drive from Catterick.”
“I know… we’re stopping at my aunt’s in Chedworth for the night then continuing to Cornwall tomorrow.”
“Chedworth rings a bell… where’s that?”
“In the Cotswolds.”
“Lovely!”
“Yeah… but my aunt’s really bossy… I don’t like her much.” Peter replied. “But she’s my dad’s only sister and I know she wants to see me.”
“Yes… I’m sure she does.” the new tenant replied. “Your mum told me about your father… I’m sorry.”
“That’s OK,” Peter replied. “She’s my step-mum,” Peter stated. “That’s why I call her Maggie and not Mum… but she is my Mum really.”
“Yes, she said.” the new tenant replied as Maggie returned, having hung up. “Is everything OK?”
“Ohhh I hope so,” Maggie replied. Peter asked who she was talking to. “Your Aunt.” she sighed.