BERNADETTE CYNTHIA HEALY
EPISODE 9 - PART 1
'Jack! You're early!' Polly's voice punches the air with her exclamations.
'Still later than you, and I made such an effort for a change,' he smirks at his elder sister and greets me with a kiss on the forehead. 'Melissa sends her love.'
I am happy to have my children around me, and for a split second I forget what it is that's called them to me. Jack would never force the topic of conversation, he's far too patient for that, and Polly has got lost in her monologue about her children. It's the fate of every mother, I know I too was and still am guilty of obsessing over every little decision my offspring makes.
Reaching over to the coffee table next to my armchair I lift up the brown envelope in order to catch their attention. It works.
'Is that it?' Polly asks.
I nod, 'would you prefer to read the letter and will yourself or would you like me to just summarise it for you?'
Both children want to read the letter for themselves, and this doesn't come as a surprise. I offer them the envelope and Jack concedes to Polly's authority and from years of experience by allowing her to take charge.
I watch the two of them as they read the letter. Polly is completely silent, her brow furrowing as she reads the words of the woman who destroyed the relationship she had with her father. Jack on the other hand, reading over her shoulder, seems to be skimming over the vague message, only mouthing to himself a few sentences that have touched a nerve.
Waiting for their reactions I pour myself another cup of tea and do the same for Jack, realising I'd forgotten my manners and hadn't offered him one the moment he'd arrived. I notice that Polly has already devoured a third of the cakes and biscuits, which makes me feel guilty as I realise how much this letter has affected her over the last few days.