Chapter 4

Lili gasped loudly.

LILI

Mum! You scared me off!

MARGARET

Oh I did, didn't I? Well I was waiting for you …

LILI

Well … here I am.

MARGARET

Yes, there you are, eventually. Not too soon. Spending most of the night out with a guy.

LILI

Most of the night? Come on, it's only midnight. And moreover, I know that guy, whose name happens to be "Bill", very well and it's not the first time we go out together. Really, Mum, I don't understand, we did nothing wrong.

MARGARET

I hope so!

LILI

We simply went for a long walk around Lodnon and we stopped in St James' park for a bit. Then he walked me back home and that's it.

MARGARET

And that's it? It seems that you enjoy making fun of me. I saw you two kissing, at the front door!

LILI

And then?

MARGARET

And then what?

LILI

That's how two people who are in love with each other usually say goodnight. Did we do something wrong? No! You know how much I love him.

MARGARET

Yes I do and that's the problem. He soon will go back to his country and he'll forget about you. I don't doubt your feelings for him, I doubt HIS for you. I'm convinced that he's been doing nothing but leading you, just to have some fun during the war.

LILI

If he didn't love me, why would he have come all the way to London now the war is over, especially after what I've done to him. He could have just flown back home.

MARGARET

What do you mean? What you've done to him?

LILI

I don't wish to talk about it right now. I've had a wonderful evening, and I don't intend to spoil it.

MARGARET

You mean you won't even talk to me about what's bothering you? I'm your mother!

LILI

Yes, but my mother doesn't seem to be completely on my side so … I'd better avoid another argument.

MARGARET

All right if that's what you want.

LILI

Yes it is. I might talk about it someday though … but first I need to talk to Bill.

MARGARET

Bill, Bill, Bill! Can't you stop mentioning him?

LILI – mockingly

No.

MARGARET

You're getting on my nerves!

LILI

So are you.

Margaret burst into tears. Lili could hardly believe it: her mother, who had always been the rock of the family, was there, crying in front of her. It seemed unrreal. She didn't know what to say, nor to do. So, she simply sat on the bed next to her mother and hugged her.

LILI

Mom I'm sorry. I … I didn't mean to hurt you.

MARGARET

I know that … but … but …

Margaret could hardly talk.

LILI

But what?

MARGARET

It's like … well I feel like I've lost my little girl. I can hardly recognize the Lili I used to know.

LILI

Well, Lili has grown up. You know what war can do to a person.

MARGARET

War … and love.

LILI - smiling

Yes, that too.

MARGARET

Oh darling, I want you to be happy. That's what all mothers want for their children. And I must admit that the Major is a very handsome guy, and he seems to be so kind. But I have that weird feeling, I don't want you to have false hopes.

LILI

Mother, I really can't tell you all about it right now, but please trust me, he really loves me. Because if he didn't, he would have never come back. It's a miracle that he's come back after what I had done to him.

MARGARET

Then it's all right. I trust you. But please, listen to your old mother and be careful.

LILI – laughing

Old mother? You're not old! And thank you for giving us a chance.

MARGARET

Who knows? I'd better be kind to him, I might become his mother-in-law.

LILI

Hey, don't forward things! But yeah, who knows.

They hugged for a long time. Finally, they were on the same wave length. Lili was burning inside, feeling like jumping around the room. The approval of her mother meant the world to her.

LILI

I love you Mom.

MARGARET

I love you too.

They hugged for a few more minutes.

MARGARET

I'd better go to bed now.

LILI

I should too, I'm exhausted

MARGARET

Good night darling ... and sweet dreams.

LILI

Good night and ... thank you.