She had a point. ‘A bungalow then.’
Don’s forehead creased. ‘You’ll still be living on your own, Mum. I’m worried about that. Anything could happen and there would be no one to help. This is the sensible option and I’m sure you’ll love it once you get used to it.’
She could see why Don made such a good manager, he had the skill of commanding people without raising his voice, but that authoritative tone wasn’t going to work with her. She had to think about this carefully, it was a big step and she wasn’t sure she wanted to take it. Don was pushing her into making a decision, but this was too important to rush into.
5
‘I need more time to think about it,’ Sandra said firmly.
She knew why her son was worried about moving away from her. She understood it completely. But that didn’t mean she should uproot herself and live somewhere she didn’t want to live, and Don was speaking as if the apartment was her only option. He’d obviously decided that’s where she was going to live and all he had to do was persuade her that it was the right decision.
‘You are going to live near us, aren’t you, Nanny?’ Kali asked. ‘Mummy and Daddy said you were.’ She looked beseechingly at Sandra.
‘We won’t be able to see you much if you don’t, and that will make us sad,’ Rana added, her voice wobbling a little. ‘We’ll miss you.’
They both fixed their eyes on her, waiting for her to assure them she would move with them. She felt her heart melt. Of course, she wanted to see them and live near them. But she wasn’t the one moving away, was she? This was Don and Laila’s decision.
‘I’ll miss you both too, but I’m not sure about living in Cambridge. I like my house, I don’t want to leave it,’ she toldthem. ‘Don’t worry though, even if I don’t move, I can still come and visit you.’
‘If you refuse to come with us, then I’ll have to turn down the promotion. I can’t possibly move all that distance from you.’ Don’s tone was laced with annoyance.
‘That’s emotional blackmail,’ she retorted, stung at his phrase ‘refuse to move’, as ifshewas being selfish, when he had sprung this on her and it was perfectly reasonable for her to want to consider, or even turn down, the idea.
Don kneaded the back of his neck with his right hand. ‘That’s a horrible thing to say when I’m only trying to look out for you. Like Dad would want me to. Like I’ve always done,’ he added for extra effect.
‘Please come and live near us, Nanny,’ Kali begged, throwing her arms around Sandra and hugging her tight.
‘We don’t want to move if you don’t come,’ Rana sniffed, joining in the hug.
Sandra’s mind was in turmoil at the downcast expression on her young grandchildren’s faces. She loved them all so much and couldn’t bear to live so far away from them.
What should she do?
‘Please at least give it some serious thought, Sandra,’ Laila said softly. ‘I know it’s daunting for you, but we’ll all help you settle in and I’m sure within a couple of months you’ll agree that it’s the best thing you ever did.’
Bombarded with such persuasion, and because she knew that she would miss them terribly, Sandra agreed to seriously consider it.
They had a little tour around the local area, showing Sandra the leafy semi-detached house they were hoping to buy when they sold their present home. It had just come on the market,apparently, and they’d made an offer, which had been accepted subject to their house being sold.
‘It’s only a ten-minute walk from Orchard House so you can stroll over and visit us whenever you want.’ Don told her. ‘It’s really convenient.’
‘It’s such a lovely area. You’d soon settle down here,’ Laila added.
‘Your house and the area does look nice,’ she agreed. She had to say something. She couldn’t let them talk her into this. ‘I’ll give some serious thought about moving here, Don, but I’m sorry, living in a retirement community wouldn’t suit me at all.’
Don sighed and fidgeted with his collar. ‘You’d be safe there and looked after…’
‘And unhappy. Which I’m sure you don’t want me to be.’
‘How do you know that until you try it?’
‘Because I know myself, and it’s not for me.’
He frowned then his face brightened. ‘Maybe, you could come and live with us, Mum?’ he suggested. ‘Perhaps you could put something towards us getting a bigger house, with an extra room for you. Or even an extension.’
Laila looked shocked. They clearly hadn’t discussed this, Sandra thought as her daughter-in-law turned away to talk to Rana, who was tugging on her shirt to get her attention. She was obviously hoping that Sandra hadn’t seen her reaction, but she had. However, Laila didn’t need to worry, much as she loved Don, Laila and her grandchildren she most certainly didn’t want to live with them.
‘Thank you, dear, but I prefer my own space,’ she replied, and Laila turned back, a smile of relief on her face.
