"Edith? Is this article written by you?" Violet asked holding up a magazine.
The whole family was visiting Violet, this Sunday afternoon. Robert was sitting in a corner of the couch, busy on his phone. Cora tried to have a conversation with Violet, but even after all these years, she felt judgement from her side, and she was happy Violet was talking to Edith.
"I did. Did you like it?" Edith answered.
Cora looked at Edith with proud in her eyes. Edith was finding a purpose in live, after all these years not knowing what she wanted.
"You are a good writer, but when are you starting to look for a real job?"
Cora's head shot in Violet's direction, and she wanted to defend Edith, but she didn't get the chance.
"Granny, this is a real job. Michael says I have real potential and wants me to write a weekly article."
Cora looked around the room, Sybil and Charlotte were talking together, and Mary was looking outside with a bored look on her face. Robert was still busy with his phone, but she saw he was listening in on the conversation.
"We will see what the future brings." Violet answered. "Charlotte, tell me more about that boyfriend of yours."
Robert almost dropped his phone, but he corrected himself quickly and made it look like nothing happened.
Cora saw Charlotte's eyes go to her father, but then she said: "He is a car mechanic and he wants me to move in with him."
Now Robert's attention was on the conversation. Cora saw his hands squeezing his phone. Violet noticed it too.
"That's very quick my dear. Don't you want to explore life a little bit more?" Violet looked at Charlotte.
"Kieran is older, and he has a job for several years now. I can finish my studies and as soon as I earn money, we can move to a bigger place."
Cora noticed Robert's breathing getting faster, she felt nervous herself. Not knowing if she needed to join the conversation.
"How old is Kieran? Is he older than Tom?"
Cora pressed her hands together in her lap, where was this conversation going too?
"Kieran turned 30 this year, he is a little bit older than Tom." Charlotte answered. "But Tom is 28, 10 years older than Sybil."
Violet opened her mouth, but Robert was faster.
"Why doesn't he look for someone his own age? I forbid you to date with him any longer. And you are not going to live together. Not as long as I am your father." He stood up and walked out of the house. Leaving his family stunned.
Cora had stood up, when Robert walked out, but slowly sat back down, not knowing what to do or where to look.
"I think, I need to have a chat with your father. But he is right, Kieran is too old for you, darling." Violet said.
"Not you too…" Charlotte said with a sad face.
Cora wanted to say something, but she was lost for words.
Violet had taken Charlotte's hands. "Kieran is too old, but if he makes you happy, you two should explore, what this is bringing you. But you could do that slowly, right?"
"Granny, why is it alright Sybil is dating Tom and it is not alright, I am dating Kieran?"
"There is a big difference in dating and getting to know someone and jumping of a cliff and living together."
Cora took in a deep breath, she knew this would upset Charlotte. She adored her grandmother, and now Violet just said she didn't approve of her.
"You are all so old fashioned." Charlotte exclaimed. "I am going home."
She started to walk away, when Cora took her hand and looked her in the eye. "Darling? Please stay. Grandmamma, only wants what is best for you."
"All of you don't care if I am happy or not. I love Kieran and that is it." She pulled her hand back and walked away.
The rest of the afternoon had been awkward, around dinner time, Cora left with her girls. Violet invited them for dinner, but Cora insisted on going home.
Robert had gone to the office after he left his mother's house and Charlotte had gone to Kieran. Cora had made an easy dinner for Mary, Edith and Sybil. They all eat in silence.
Very late that night Robert got into bed, waking Cora. She turned around to face Robert, who was of course facing the wall. She touched his back.
"Robert? We need to talk." She started.
"I don't need a lecture from you!" He said briskly.
"I just want to talk. We need to figure out how we are handling this situation." Cora said softly. "We are losing Charlotte this way."
Robert turned around abruptly. "We are only losing her, because you are allowing her to behave in this way!"
Cora looked at him in surprise, she was too stunned to answer.
"You heard me right. You are too soft with our girls. Edith writing for a magazine, throwing away her future. Charlotte moving in, unmarried, with a guy who is 12 years older and doesn't have a real future. Sybil is following in a rapid pace. The only girl, who is still using her brain is Mary. Matthew is a smart and handsome partner, who can bring her luck."
"You only say that because Matthew works for you. You should be proud of Edith, (that) she is using her talent. And for Charlotte, the harder we say no, the more she wants to be with him. Don't you see?" Cora got a little bit closer to Robert. She needed to feel him, to calm herself down, and she hoped Robert would calm down too.
But Robert threw his duvet off him and stepped out of the bed. "I will sleep in the guest bedroom tonight."
Cora felt tears stinging behind her eyes. Was she losing Robert, because of this? Why was he so mad at her? What could she do to change what was happening?
