Grannys House (a dream-tale)
Youve bought coffee at the café again! The words tumbled from James as soon as Emily stepped over the threshold, the dusk of an English evening folding around them.
I have Emilys voice rose softly, like a kettle on the boil, wanting to keep the air light. But it was only £1 for the coffee, she started, but James cut her off.
Only a pound! A whole pound for a cup of coffee! His voice felt heavy, echoing as if spoken in some high-ceilinged, empty hall.
But look, I saved £2 elsewhere, so your fussing isnt quite justified, is it? Emilys answer sounded odd, as if she were counting coins made of fog.
And how did you manage to do that then? James words dripped with curious disbelief, his tone like damp pebbles in a rain barrel.
I simply slipped through the Underground barriers twice tonight with the crowd, she nearly whispered.
You didnt buy a travelcard? James face seemed to blur, uncertain.
Not just yet. I decided, if anyone stopped me, Id buy one. But no one did! she said, as though confessing to a mischievous shadow.
Well, all right then, James muttered, his voice vague as distant bells. But you should really get a travelcard and behave respectably, like ordinary folk.
Emily nodded, drifting towards the kitchen as though she walked on soft moss.
This is all I could find, James declared, spreading his hands like a conjurer with empty sleeves.
Its fine, Emily sighed, gathering together bits and bobs to conjure a dinner.
Dont forget about Granny, James reminded her, his tone prickling. Emily barely held back her irritation. Jamess Granny Edna knew all about their tight circumstances, but never lent a hand, and still they had to feed her as though she were a family cat.
I wont forget, Emily tried to sound as serene as a cup of tea left to cool.
At dinner, Granny Edna grumbled as usual. Nothing was ever quite right, neither the potatoes nor the pie crust. Emily simmered inside, knowing James resented it too, but he simply nibbled in silence.
When will you finally go to the countryside? asked the old woman, her voice curdled like old milk.
Why bother? James replied, shifting in his seat.
Why? You must sell the house! It just sits there, crumbling and empty, Edna shook her fork, commanding the air.
Oh Gran, its probably collapsed by now, Jamess words fell flat, unwanted.
Edna tossed down her fork. We had a good, solid house! Still standing. Youve never even been. You ought to go, Ill give you the power of attorney for the sale.
But even if its intact, its just in the middle of nowhere. Not worth much, James sounded skeptical, as if debating with a lamppost.
I think we really should go and see, Emily said, seizing the idea as if it were the last biscuit on the plate.
James began to object, but Emily pressed on:
Our holiday is coming up, and weve no money for anything grand. We might as well go and see whats what, she insisted.
James exhaled, the ghost of a sigh.
We havent money for trains or a solicitor, never mind handing Gran papers, he groaned.
Ill give you the fare, Edna interjected, surprising them both, then immediately returned to criticising the limp vegetables Emily had cooked.
Later, James tried to dissuade Emily.
Emily, just trust me, itll be a farce. More a mess than a house.
James, youve never even seen it. If it proves valuable, we could finally stop counting pennies all the time. Please, lets go!
James protested, obstinate as a weather-beaten door. Emily, hoping to melt the moment with tears, began to cry:
Im so tired of it all. Dont you understand? Everything fell apart. Please, weve nothing to lose, but perhaps something to gain!
All right, all right, love, James patted her hand awkwardly. Ill try to sort the money for the journey.
If Grans offering, lets just take her up on it, Emily suggested.
James snorted:
You dont know her. Shell forget she ever mentioned it, and Ill have to clean the mess.
Leave her to me. Reminding is my special skill, Emily smiled, catching Jamess eye.
My Nan was the same, she added quietly.
…
A month later, they rattled northwards in a train, the rails humming like a lullaby to an old song. James muttered about something, but Emilys mind was elsewhere, drifting beyond hedgerows and horizon.
Why did it turn out like this? Their wages had always been fair. Prospects, too. Yet here they were, scraping by to support James’s ailing father and her own unwell mother. Should they have borrowed? What if Jamess father never got better? The debts would grow, swallowing them like brambles. Oh, she did not want such a life.
If only the house were worth it! If only the house were kind!
She suddenly felt a nudge, sharp, a jolt that brought her back.
You arent listening! James said, as if from underwater.
Im not, Emily agreed. I cant help thinking about the house.
James sighed.
I hope the house will help too, though I never saved a penny
The cottage loomed up, not crumbled but stout, timbered and proud. Even two storeys.
Not bad, is it? James marvelled, disbelief fluttering.
It would be a shame to sell, Emily murmured, her voice a thread.
James unlatched the gate and they stared at tangled weeds, nettles and wild shrubs.
The gardens a jungle, though.
As Emily peered past his shoulder, a cough materialised beside them.
Sorry, who might you be? a gentleman appeared, brown cap and all.
Gran Ednas grandson, James answered warily. And you?
Neighbour. You staying long?
It depends, James hedged.
Gran Ednas still about then?
Yes, alive and well.
Not selling the place by any chance? the neighbour asked slyly.
James began, but Emily was quicker:
No, were here just to sort it out for our Gran.
Shame! Id have bought it. Though you wont get much for a plot like this. Its all overgrown and the house is probably full of holes.
Excuse me, this lands inside a nature reserve, Ill have you know! Its not nearly as cheap as you think, Emily countered, sure as the ticking of a clock.
The neighbour shrugged and left. James eyed her:
How do you know about land values?
Ive checked estate agents lists, of course.
Lets look inside, then.
Days flowed dreamlike. Several neighbours expressed interest in buying, even quoted tempting sums. But each time, James repeated: They needed to bring Gran Edna, let her do the signing in person.
While were here, Emily, maybe lets get a valuation from an estate agent, James suggested, half to himself.
Emily shrugged, wishing only that their struggles might end and their purse feel less empty.
Should we clear out the second floor? Emily wondered.
Theres just one cluttered room up there, James hesitated. Maybe the new owner can deal with it.
We ought to go through it. Sometimes, among the clutter, theres treasure, Emily hinted, her words as mysterious as sudden rain.
What are you getting at?
Dunno, but since day one, I keep dreaming the same thing: Look on the second floor We havent even properly looked up there.
Strange. Im the grandchild, but you get the dreams! Well, if you insist, tomorrow well tackle it.
A few dream-nights later, the house stripped and sorted, boxes everywhere. Some things were valuable, but not life-changing.
See? Nothing here, James said, dusting his hands.
Maybe just tap the walls and floors, and look behind a painting, Emily replied idly.
Approaching a painting, the rug under her feet seemed to ripple like water, she stumbled and fell.
Oi! she exclaimed, scrambling up.
Wait, James said, eyes fixed on the floor. With a quick movement, he peeled back the rug.
These floorboards are different see?
Not really
Trust me.
James knocked around, fetched his tools, and pried up the wood. Below were boxes. Inside the first: a glinting trove of old jewels.
Emilys breath caught.
Blimey she stammered.
Did you lock the door? Wouldnt want any surprise guests. James couldnt quite steady his voice.
Its locked, Emily replied.
They explored the rest. Jewels, trinkets, oddities beyond measure.
Perhaps we dont need to sell, after all, said James, awe in his voice. Good call insisting on this trip, Em. Id never have bothered on my own.
Not a wasted journey, Emily agreed, her heart buoyed for the first time in an age.
In time, they returned to London. Sold a few treasures, yes, but nothing else changed. They pinched pennies, James even sparing with the light, gas and water, as if their world was made of ration books. Arguments flared up as fleetingly as the streetlamps outside.
So now Im supposed to soap all the dishes first, then rinse? But theres food left on the plates! Emily complained to her friend Hannah over coffee one chill afternoon.
Why not ask James to do it for once? Hannah suggested pragmatically.
You think Im making this up, dont you? Everyone sees James as perfect. I used to as well but now Even with the money from Gran, hes still tight-fisted. I needed to get Mum some medicine he wouldnt give me the money. Said, Its your mums problem. Yet all my pay goes to him, and he divvies it up between his dads carer and his meds. Never space in the budget for me or my family.
Then keep some cash for yourself, Hannah counseled.
But were a family
Does he buy you even personal things?
No I have to make do
You should have money of your own, Em.
Emily tried to talk, to reason, but always hit a wall.
Why do you need your own money? Just tell me what you want, Ill buy it, James would say, only never getting round to it.
One ordinary day: Emily came home, started on supper. Outside, the sky draped itself in early evening grey. She flicked on the kitchen light.
Told you, just use the hob light, came Jamess voice, cross as a goose.
But I cant see what Im doing!
James went room to room switching off lights, drawing a storm of tutting from Gran Edna.
None of you appreciate me! Im ideal, and what are you lot? James went on, growing irritated.
Emily sighed. How could she explain: she needed to see, that this was important.
Oh, put a lid on it, Edna croaked, waving her stick. If you want, turn off the lights. I’ll just sit here with Emily.
She perched at the table, muttering away.
Are you all right? Emily asked.
Fine, fine, Edna nodded. Just wanted to ask you something minds gone blank.
As Emily laid out dinner, Edna clicked her tongue in triumph:
Ah! Could you water my roses?
Of course! Emily obliged, calling out for James.
Be there in five, came the muffled reply.
She shrugged, filling the watering can, and walked to Ednas boxy bedroom. The air was thick with the musty scent of old age. She nearly flicked the switch, but instead braved the gloom.
Never mind, Ill water without the light, Emily thought. She bent to the last pot, couldnt quite seeand then something stabbed her eye sharp as a ghostly pin.
My eye! she shrieked.
James appeared.
Must’ve scratched it on that stick you shoved in the pot. Call a taxi. We need A&E! Emily panicked.
Lets get the bus, James countered, but Edna swung her stick at him.
Dont just stand therecall a taxi!
Ambulance, maybe?
By then shell be stone blind!
At this, James finally, grudgingly obliged.
Emily smiled at Hannah across the café table.
What do you mean, youve divorced? Hannah gaped.
Just that. We had nothing much to split, no kids, no shared mortgage.
James agreed?
Didnt need to. Our differences were impossible to fix.
Emily fell silent, then said:
He changed after we found the jewels. Never sold any, just carried on making life small; all the money went to his father, the carer, and Gran Edna. I realised I was afraid to go home, waiting for the next complaint I stopped loving him somewhere along the way.
Thats well Hannah managed.
I feel free now, with my own money, my own decisions. And do you know the strangest bit? Emily whispered.
Hannah shook her head.
Gran Edna gave me the house. She said she couldnt trust her own grandson. Fancy that.
