AUNTIE
They brought Auntie Pat to London from her little village in Sussex. She was getting on in years and managing the house alone had become too much for her. So my wife, Linda, decided to bring her over to stay with us. I didnt mind. Im Alexquiet, skinny, wear glasses. Really, I just go along with whatever Linda says. Shes got a strong voice and a solid figure, and isnt shy about making decisions.
Shes family, after all. She doesnt have children. And I havent got a mum anymore. Mum was thirty years younger than Auntie Pat, born to dads second wife. Didnt expect mum to go so soon oh, I cant leave Auntie Pat on her own! Well take her in, Linda declared.
Our kidsConnor and Daisydidnt have a clue who Auntie Pat was. To be honest, Linda had only met her a couple of times herself. They never spoke by phone, just lettered back and forth. Turns out Auntie Pat didnt own a stitch of modern gadgets.
And so here she was, settling in with us. Tiny, almost like a garden gnome (Connor, whos only thirteen, already stood taller than her). Her hair was soft and fluffy, like a dandelion, and she wore a pillbox hat on her head. Her eyes were shockingly blue and lively, despite her age.
She clutched a tatty bundle and an old mesh shopping bag straight out of the seventies, along with two battered suitcases. In her arms was a big ginger cat. The cat stared lazily at the new flats inhabitants, jumped down, and began exploring.
Thats Tangerine. Had to bring him. Hes a living soul, hope you wont mind, Auntie Pat said.
Then, warmly, So this is my family! Dear ones!
That evening we had a little welcome feast. Auntie Pat had brought along some homemade pickles and jams. Linda watched, surprised, as our fussy kids devoured the jam, cucumbers, and all sorts of preserves with gusto.
Linda! Have you got an allotment? Ill plant everythingmy healths not what it was, but its worth growing your own! Cant rely solely on shops! said Auntie Pat.
Linda replied we didnt. Why would we? We could buy anything, and besides, we simply had no time. Both of us work two jobs. We barely see the kids. We have a mortgage on the flat, long years left to pay.
You need a patch of earth. Dont look at me like that, Linda. People need land. Well buy one, find ourselves an allotment, Auntie Pat said and retreated to her room.
Well buy one, she says How are we supposed to? Sometimes we deny ourselves everything, just to get by. Auntie thinks were millionaires! Linda grumbled, washing up.
Next day was Saturday. I lay blissfully in bed reading the paper. Linda shouted for the kids to heat up some ready meals, then went back to sleep. Connor and eight-year-old Daisy were glued to their phones as usual.
Tangerine sat beside them, bobbing his head. Auntie Pat entered.
What are you doing? she asked.
Connor and Daisy hurried to explain and even demonstrate. Auntie Pat shook her head.
Ive seen things like these back in the village. Not exactly the same, simpler though. Never felt the need for one myself. Used to write letters to your mum, that was easier for me. But I seehandy things, these phones. Means you can find anyone anywhere. Clever invention. Still, put them down now and come along with me!
Why? Were playing games! Connor protested.
Youre not playing. Youre just hunched over the phones, not ringing anyone, Auntie Pat observed.
Were playing inside the phone! Daisy piped up.
Auntie Pat started reminiscing about the games they played in her village, then whisked the kids off to the kitchen.
When Linda appeared, she was stunned. There, on the table, was a stack of pancakes. Connor was happily drinking tea, Daisy was wrapping dumplings next to Auntie Pat.
Look, Mum! Might get the lucky one! Daisy smiled.
I joined them next, happily sniffing the kitchen air.
From now on, well all spend Saturdays making dumplings together. And pancakes too! It’s best to eat what you make yourself! Auntie Pat said.
Theres hardly any pointall can be bought ready! Why bother? Linda retorted, never enjoying cooking.
She mostly bought frozen and pre-made foods. The family didnt seem to mind until now.
No, Mum, lets make them ourselves! Ive never tasted dumplings like these! Connor insisted.
Later, Auntie Pat grabbed a ball of elastic and looped it between chairs, showing Daisy how to play the sort of games they had in her village.
Why dont you jump like this? she asked.
Hah! They go outside, but still just stare at their phones! This generation! I snorted.
Thats not right. Youve got to talk face-to-face. Phones are useful, sure, but should be used for calls, messages, things you neednot for everything, Auntie Pat declared.
In the evenings, Auntie Pat would knit, lounging in her chair, as Tangerine sprawled nearby.
Mum, look! Daisy tugged Linda over one day.
Peering into the bathroom, Linda found Auntie Pat stroking the washing machine.
Happy International Womens Day, washing machine! Heres to many years, dear!
Auntie Pat, what are you doing? Linda whispered, thinking maybe Pat had lost her marbles.
What do you mean? Its the 8th of March! Wasing machines a girl, so I thought Id wish her well, Auntie Pat chuckled.
But its not alive, Auntie, thats silly! Linda scoffed.
All machines understand more than you think. Back in the village, Vasili encouraged his tractor when it got stuck, and eventually got it out. Kuzma always talks to his car, calls it Mrs Peterson and gives it a pep talk before driving off. You dont realise how lucky you are! We used to scrub everything by hand, then rinse in the stream. Now, look how easyit all washes for you. And phones! If used well, you know where your child is at all times. The microwaveamazing for heating up things! Auntie Pat marvelled, taking in all the conveniences.
She started picking up the kids from school.
Connor had trouble with his classmates one day. He didnt tell his parents, but cried in a corner at home until Auntie Pat came in. He spilled everything to her, hardly realising he had. Next morning, he didnt go in for the first two lessons. The flat was strangely quietAuntie Pat wasnt even there.
Must have gone for a walk, Connor thought and began to get ready for school.
Outside the classroom, he heard a familiar voice. Peeking in, he saw the teacher sitting, while Auntie Pat stood near the board, animatedly sharing stories.
Oh no, why did she come? Theyll all laugh! Connor hesitated at the door.
But nobody laughed. After the lesson, everyone flocked around Auntie Pat. As Connor slipped inside, Peterthe main instigator of griefstrode up.
Hey, why were you late? Your gran is brilliant! She told us so much. Shame I dont have a grandma. I miss her Your Pat promised to take us to the park tomorrow. She knows loads about plants and animals! The teacher let her speak, so cool! Peter smiled.
Yeah shes something! Connor laughed and rushed to hug Auntie Pat.
Linda cried that night, weighed down by exhaustion. And Auntie Pat was there, as always.
Dont cry, darlin. Why are you in tears? Everythings alright! Why are you sobbing?
Im tired! I work and work, never see life. Alex, my husband, is so timid. Other men are real. I feel invisible, not wanted nowadays, Linda sobbed on Auntie Pats shoulder.
Auntie Pat let her get it all out, poured her tea, and shared sad stories of her ownhow she lost three children as little ones, how her strong handsome husband died early, how she battled serious illness and nearly faded away but pulled through, despite the agony.
Whats this trend, anyway? People come in all shapes and ways. God made us each unique, Linda. Some thin as reeds, others roundtastes change. In my day, fuller ladies were admired! Youve beautiful curly hair, big blue eyes, a fine figure. Appreciate it. Some dont have any of it. Loneliness abounds. Alex is goldenlooks at you with love, does everything for the family. Your children are your joy! As for the restthings will settle. Ah, nearly forgot something, but really, its time for bed! And Auntie Pat went to her room, leaving Linda in the kitchen.
Linda suddenly lost her urge to cry. Auntie was right. She had everything.
That day, Linda waited for me to return from work (she was finally on holiday). But I didnt come home.
Kids! Has Dad called? Where are you? she asked.
Connor was mixing something in a cup, taking far more interest in cooking latelyhed even practised flipping pancakes in the air. Daisy was building a house from chairs, draping blankets and arranging toys. Their phones rested on shelves; Linda noticed they hardly touched them these days, using them only for calls.
Linda tried ringing me again and againThe subscriber is currently unavailable, was all she heard.
Then panic struck. Auntie Patwhere was she? No shuffle of slippers or calm voice anywhere. She rushed to her bedroom. Tangerine was stretching lazily on the bed.
Connor! Daisy! Wheres Auntie Pat? Linda gasped.
The kids came running. We walked home with her after school. She went out afterward, Daisy whispered.
How long ago? Daisy, how long? Linda cried. Daisy nodded through tears.
My goodness! We got her a mobile, but she left it again. How could she? Shes elderly! Linda sat helpless in her chair.
Connor hurried to put on his coat.
Where are you going? Linda followed him.
To look for her! Mum, we cant manage without her! he shouted, racing downstairs.
Daisy slipped on her trainers and dashed after him. Linda, dressing as she went, followed.
The kids were waiting outside, grinning.
Whats up? Linda asked.
They pointed left. There, strolling arm-in-arm with Alex, was Auntie Pat in her pillbox hat decorated with poppies.
Auntie! You scared us! Out for hours, dont do that! And where were you? Linda sobbed on my shoulder.
We were off sorting your leak that bit of damp! Auntie Pat announced.
What? But how?
We wanted to surprise you. Auntie Pat is just incredible, lifesaver! I laughed.
Auntie where did you get the money? You shouldnt have, Linda started.
What do you mean? I saved up. My pensions decent. Had a bit of a smallholding, hardly spent anythingeggs, milk, bread baked myself. Sold the house too. What would I do with the money? Cant take it to the grave. Planned to leave it for you anyway, better to give it now, when you need it! Auntie Pat said without fuss.
Linda was silent. She neednt keep grinding away at two jobsnor I. More time for family. What a relief.
Tomorrow, well go out of townlook at that cottage! Alex and I chose one already! Auntie Pat said.
Well have our own house! Brilliant! An allotment! You promised to teach us about fireflies and basket weaving and how to make secret glass flower tokens to dig up later! The kids hugged Auntie Pat.
All together, arms wrapped tight, we went home.
Linda paused at the door; cheered, she looked up at the clouds and whispered,
Thank you. Thank you for Auntie Pat.
Lesson learned: True wealth isnt the coins in your pocket, but the love and wisdom shared between family and friends. And sometimes, you find it right where you least expect.
