As promised, Granny is back… Series 7
It had taken her longer than she hoped to fully recover from surgery and return to her own home. The horrible winter certainly didn't help. Thankfully her surgery and recovery was behind her by the time the weather improved and spring had arrived.
She was excited to be having very special guests for Sunday dinner. Per request of her grandson, she was serving shepherd's pie. She also baked a chocolate cake for the occasion. She knew just how to please Timothy.
Had it been that long since she'd last seen Teddy? My goodness, he was no longer an infant. He was alert and taking in the new face, hers. Such a precious boy, full of smiles, she mused. As she held, she noticed that he seemed to favor his Mummy in looks.
"Patrick, thank goodness he takes after his mother," she said.
"You're trying to start a row, but I know that your other grandson has a bit of me in him and you don't seem to mind," Patrick quipped back.
Angela had grow too and was talking up a storm. She was smart as a whip like her older brother.
"Goodness Timothy, soon you'll be as tall as your father. I'm glad I made cake, you need some meat on your bones," she said. Turning to Patrick she asked, "Do you feed this boy?"
"Shelagh does. You know perfectly well if I was still in charge of his nourishment, he'd be starving," Patrick said jokingly.
"Magda's meals are brilliant," Timothy added.
Unaware of this Magda that Tim mentioned, she raised a questioning eyebrow at Shelagh, who explained, "We've hired an au pair. She's Hungarian and she helps with the little ones, housework and cooking."
"Yes," Patrick added, "Timothy is quite taken with our live-in help. He even helps with the cooking."
"Dad!" Timothy exclaimed embarrassed.
"Timothy, every time I see you, there's a new girl you're interested in. I'd venture a guess that this au pair, is a bit old for you."
"She certainly is. I'm not sure bringing a single woman into our home was my best decision," Shelagh said emphatically.
Shelagh followed her into the kitchen to help get the food on the table. Out of earshot from the others, she said, "You certainly don't need to worry about Patrick. He's as loyal as an old mutt. That man still looks at you like he did on your wedding day."
"I don't feel as lovely as I did when we married. Having a baby changes a woman," Shelagh confided.
"That should be no surprise to you. My dear, you're a midwife after all."
"I know, I'm just wishing my girdle wasn't so tight."
"I've been wishing that for close to fifty years, myself," She laughed and Shelagh joined her.
Patrick poked his head in and asked, "What's the cackling about?"
"Patrick Turner! We don't cackle!" she said and added, "Do I need to worry about my grandson?"
"It's innocent although it's painful to watch him give chase," Patrick laughed.
Shelagh laughed, "Patrick, be nice."
"Granny, shepherd's pie," Timothy called.
"We best get this on the table. I reckon I need to feed the poor boy."
They enjoyed a lovely meal and conversation, Patrick asked, "How is Betty getting on?"
"Well you know, my sister's always been a right one."
"More like a dragon if you ask me," Timothy added.
"Tim!" Patrick chastised.
"He's right, she is a proper madam, my sister."
"I know, but I'd like my son to not be rude," Patrick said looking directly at Timothy.
She changed the subject. "So Tim tell me all about school and your plans for medical school."
She listen as her eldest grandson filled her in on his ambitions. Angela anxious for attention interrupted to tell Granny about nursery and how well she uses the potty.
"My you're such a big girl now, love!"
"Teddy's the baby," Angela informed her.
"She's pleased to be the big sister now," Shelagh explained.
"I'll have to get myself on the bus and come meet your Madga," she said as she was hugging Tim goodbye.
"Granny, it's Magda and she's not mine."
Patrick said, "You know I'll come get you anytime you want to visit."
"We have the room, you can stay over," Shelagh added.
"Perhaps I will one day soon," she said eyeing her grandson wondering how he'd grown up so fast. It seemed just yesterday he was wearing short trousers. She was so thankful for her little luvies and for Shelagh who brought joy to her two boys.