A Chill Wind
"By the time he came to get me, I had sunk into the mud so deep that my wellies were full and mud was starting to come in," she said, " I yelled, "Thomas, get me the hell out of here and I started…". A chill wind blew in, much to all of our surprise. I had my arm around Cathy and felt her shiver. We heard steps and looked over to see Aunt Glynis descending the steps to the terrace. "Good morning, Mummy." Phoebe said. "Good morning Auntie," I quickly added, "I hope you had a comfortable night." "It was fine Thomas, but I thought I heard something grunting downstairs, probably some wild pigs," she replied. Mr. Robbins brought a nice assortment of croissant, jams and pastries out to the terrace for a perfect continental breakfast. He stopped with a fresh pot of tea and poured a cup, handing it to Aunt Glynis in the the way only an experienced man would know. "Milk and sugar, my Lady?" Mr. Robbins inquired. "Milk, please," she replied with no smile or change of expression. The laughing and storytelling stopped immediately. Not a one of us knew what was going to happen next. "Thomas," she said, "Do you always make it a practice of fraternizing with the Help at breakfast?" Her question was so rude, so denigrating, that I could feel my anger rising like hot lava inside of me. Thankfully, Phoebe spoke up quickly. "Mum, I think you have made a mistake. This is Cathy, Thomas's fiancée and she is dressed that way because she has a deft hand in some household repairs. It's something that she learned from her father and comes in, very handy around a big old house like this." "Well, someone should inform her that she should come to breakfast in clothes better than a bin man would wear." She replied.
That was it. No one was going to speak to Cathy that way. "Aunt Glynis," I said," Cathy is the woman I am going to marry, and I'd appreciate it if you would treat her with more respect. I love her and that is that." She was an infuriating woman, cold and arrogant to the core. "We'll wait and see how this turns out, Thomas, and please don't use that tone of voice with me." She replied.
Thomas was flustered, I could tell. Showing disrespect toward an elder was not in his usual repertoire. Aunt Glynis was a sight in and of herself. She was ramrod straight and very tall and thin. She had a hint of the Fitzhenry skull but had thin and evil lips. Her left eye gazed to points unknown and it was difficult to know if she was looking at you or not. Her severe grey skirt and ruffled blouse added to her overall unattractiveness and I had never seen the type of shoes she wore. Chances are they dated back to World War II. "Well, I'm off to work in the kitchen now. I don't want my work to interfere with dinner." I said, and got up and went to collect my tools. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins would be much better company than "the Wicked Witch". Blimey, poor Phoebe was plagued with that for a Mum. She certainly had good humor despite her influence.
Just in time, a tall ginger man approached and behind him were three somewhat bumpy headed children. "Cathy," Phoebe said, "Please wait. I want you to meet my husband and children. This is Tarquin, my husband, and these are our children..Angus, Bethany and my baby Thomas. They are all Fitzhenry's despite the fact that we live in Aberdeen." I stopped and said hello. Tarquin was quite a sight with his great height and flaming ginger hair. He looked like a scarecrow in a way. He approached me and took my hand and kissed it, plumber's clothing and all. Phoebe told the kids that I was going to marry Uncle Thomas and would soon be their new aunt. They came up and politely shook my hand. They were really nice. Aunt Glynis sat absolutely impassive. Angus, the eldest, approached her. "Grandmum, would it be alright if we asked Uncle Thomas to go and ride the lawnmower now?" he questioned. It was easy to see that these children knew what the chain of command was supposed to be. "Well, I suppose," Glynis sniffed with an air of condescending tolerance. Within seconds the children were climbing up Thomas's arms and legs and wrapping themselves around his middle. "It's time to drive the lawnmower. Let's go Uncle Thomas!" they shouted. Thomas just shone through all the enthusiasm. He really was a kid at heart and loved to play whenever he got the chance. "Cathy, I'll see you a little later. I guess I have things to do," he said to me, while I knew he had already one foot on the lawnmower. Little Thomas had waited behind. "Are you scared of the lawnmower, Thomas?" Phoebe questioned. "Yes Mummy, I am." He replied. Phoebe picked up the toddler and put him in her lap, "Then you don't have to go. Stay here with us." He smiled and looked so precious, bumpy head and all. I could tell that Phoebe was a "hands on" Mum and smiled at how her little boy adored her.
"Well," I said, "I have to go to work in the kitchen. Phoebe and Thomas followed after, saying, "Mum, why don't you enjoy the fine country air." to Glynis. She nodded to Phoebe after taking her hand in what seemed like an uncharacteristic display of affection. We all headed to the kitchen.