Chapter 10

It had just gone 1am when M heard the front door opening. She put the photo album she had been looking at onto the coffee table and looked up to see Joanna walking through.

"You're home late."

"Yeah, sorry Mum. Bill and I got talking about old times."

"Did you have a good time."

"I did actually, although under the circumstances I don't really think I should be out enjoying myself."

"You're Father wouldn't want you stuck at home moping around. He'd want you to enjoy your life."

"Yes, I guess so. What have you been up to tonight."

"Not much really. James came over with some Chinese food. I think he wants to make sure I actually eat something."

"He cares."

"Yes he does."

"He means a lot to you, doesn't he."

"Is that a question or a statement." M asked, staring at her Daughter.

"A fact I guess. Were you reminiscing." Joanna asked, picking up the photo album.

"Something like that."

Joanna began looking through the album and started laughing at pictures of her Mother and Father in happier times.

"When was this one taken." Joanna asked.

M leaned over and looked at the picture. It was M, David and Paul at a fun fair. David was holding Paul in his arms and M was holding a bear that Paul had obviously won. Paul was about 3 years old in the picture.

"Mum that dress you're wearing is hideous, it makes you look about 2 dress sizes bigger." Joanna laughed.

"It's not the dress love, that's you."

"What."

"I was 7 months pregnant with you when that was taken."

"Oh, sorry Mum."

"Don't be. Look how happy we all were."

"What went wrong with you and Dad."

"I think we all know the answer to that one."

"Your job."

"Yes. I know I was away a lot but I loved it. Don't get me wrong love, you and Paul are the best thing to ever come from me. I wanted you to have a good life, a secure life and MI6 gave us that."

"Mum I wouldn't have cared if you worked in some bloody factory or something, money isn't everything."

"It was to me. I never had a lot when I was young. My Father worked in a fish shop, my Mother worked as a Seamstress. They never had much money and when I was old enough I got a part-time job and put myself through college and I worked bloody hard to get where I am today. It was hard and I had a lot of set backs but I made it and I promised myself that my Children would never want for anything."

"Oh Mum.."

"I loved your Father and he loved me. He knew what my job entailed and he accepted it. In the end we were more friends than Husband and Wife but we did love each other and I'm going to miss him very much." She said, as tears began to form in her eyes.

Joanna put the album down and hugged her Mother. She knew she was taking her Father's death hard and she was glad that her Mother had James to help her through it.

"You should take your own advice you know." Joanna said.

"What do you mean love."

"You said Dad wouldn't want me to mope around and that he'd want me to live my life."

"Your point."

"He'd want the same for you as well."

"What are you leading up to Joanna."

"Oh I think you know. I'm not saying that you rush into anything right this second, I mean we haven't even had Dad's funeral yet."

"Joanna…"

"Dad would want you to be happy and if Mr Bond is the guy to do that then you shouldn't hold back."

"You're too bloody understanding, do you know that."

"I learnt that from my Mother."

"I can't begin to think about that right now. I need to give your Father a good send off, that's all that matters to be right now."

"Just remember what I said."

"What about you and Bill." M said, as Joanna began walking up the stairs.

"What about us."

"You like him."

"Mum."

"Well don't you."

"I always have."

"So why haven't you done anything about it."

"It would be rather awkward, wouldn't it. Especially for Bill, dating the Bosses Daughter."

"Bill's a good man love and you'd both have my blessing. Think about it."

"Ditto. Night Mum."

"Night love."

To Be Continued…