Greg's

  

'Have you noticed?'

Thelma followed the gaze of her friend Rita across the table where they were sitting in the direction of a young woman standing at the far end of The DoughMother talking to Xulia, who owned the bakery and café.

'Mary Timpson's daughter' Rita added and her friend Thelma leaned across to get a better view.'No. Really? A bit big isn't she?'

'She says it’s Greg’s and she's going to get rid of it' whispered Rita.

Thelma sat back in her chair. 'God, what kind of woman is she, being so open about such a thing. Not like in our day'.

Rita looked at Thelma, then nudged her and gave a half-grin. From what I remember, you had a bloody good bash and I'll swear your dad had a shotgun down his leg just in case your Don wanted to change his mind. Those us who were there were still talking about it at your 25th last year. There was a book on whether you'd last a year. How wrong we were' and a guilty smile fell across Rita's face.

'Don't tell me you had a bet? I came out of that quids in. My nan ran the book and when she didn't have to pay out, she gave the lot to me'.

'I never knew that'.

'All history now' grinned back Thelma. 'I knew with Don from the off that if I kept it on tap and never said "no", he'd see me alright'.

'My Derek’s more likely to give me a smack in the gob for our 25th. Not a new Nissan Leaf like Don gave you. You're one lucky woman Thelma, not like poor Cheryl there' said Rita, turning her gaze back towards where Xulia was still talking with Cheryl.

'Well, don't be too hasty Reet, her Greg could turn out to be like my Don if she gives him half a chance, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to get rid of it', then Thelma interrupted herself. 

'Look who's here' and it was Thelma's turn to follow her friend's gaze. They greeted Mary Timpson like the long lost friend she wasn't, with a sing-song chorus of 'Hi Mary'.

Mary stopped in the doorway and looked at them for a moment, as if trying to remember who the two women were. 'Oh hello you two or should I say Gert and Daisy? before having a silent chuckle to herself at her own joke. The pair were known to everyone as the local gossips. If there was a rumour going around it could usually be traced back to Thelma and Rita,

It was Thelma who was brave and asked Mary in a hushed voice how far her Cheryl was gone?

Mary burst out laughing and didn't stop, bending double as she did, her hands on her knees and her rear blocking The DoughgMother door.

'Here Cheryl, come and hear this', gesturing with an arm towards where she was with Rita and Thelma.

'What is it Mum? You're a bit early'.

'Thelma and Reet here want to know how far gone you are?'

Cheryl joined her mother in laughing and patted her belly as she did. 'My Greg's you mean? I'd give it another two months, then I'll have lost it. I'm glad lockdown is over and things can get back to normal. No more sausage rolls for me' and rubbed her belly as if that was going to help.

Then she turned to Thelma and Rita and winked. 'It was nice whilst it lasted if you know what I mean'.

© Robert Howard, 25 August 2021.

WITH THANKS TO MY GRAND-DAUGHTER LAURA FOR INSPIRING THIS STORY DURING HER VISIT ON SUNDAY WITH HER SISTER NATALIE, ANOTHER OF OUR LOVELY GRAND-DAUGHTERS. Robert.