“Mum, where are you?” Barry called, hurrying through his mother’s house. 

“Hello love,” she said, coming in the back door, carrying a large armful of fresh cut flowers. 

“I didn’t know you were coming today.  Why didn’t you ring me to let me know?”

“I rang you yesterday evening. Don’t you remember? He sighed impatiently.

“Did you?

“Mum, I really think you ought to have a check-up.  You seem to be forgetting a lot of things lately.”

 “No, not a lot of things dear....just some things. Like that nursing home idea you keep harping on about,” she said dumping the flowers in the kitchen sink.

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt you to think about it,” he replied.

“How is everything at the job?” she said suddenly changing the subject.

“Oh… fine,” he replied, taken off guard. 

“Cup of tea?” she said brightly, collecting the kettle and heading for the sink.

“I brought some brochures for you to look at.” he ventured. 

“Look at...... the garden, will you? She said turning her back on him to look out the kitchen window. “Isn’t it wonderful?  “I expect you would love to have a garden this size? She said giving him a wry smile. “Fetch two cups and plates will you dear? We can have a few of the little fairy cakes I made yesterday. Or was that this morning?" she mused, smiling. 

“Will you look at the windows on that house? “she said peering over her son’s shoulder at one of the nursing home brochures. 

“Mum, it’s a nursing home, and they are just double glazed windows,” he said exasperated. 

“What about this one?” he said scanning his mother’s face for a reaction. “Great views, large garden, private room, satellite T.V. and on-suite bathroom." 

The doorbell chimed at that moment and Barry jumped up quickly to answer it.

“That’s probably Linda,” he said as he made a hasty retreat to let his wife in. 

 She liked Linda ordinarily, but she knew she was in on this nursing home idea.

“I have your laundry Mum. Do you want me to hang it up in your bedroom?”

“Err…..no thanks Linda. I’ll see to it myself. Just leave it on the back of that chair,” she replied.

“I see you have been looking at the nursing home brochures,” Linda said cautiously.

“I was looking at the windows. They are really lovely. I was thinking of having the windows changed here,” she said pausing momentarily. What do you think? 

“Anyway”, she said, not waiting for a reply. “Can’t stand here chatting. Do help yourselves won’t you. I am off out shortly! Dinner with a special friend! He will be here soon to collect me.”

The look of shocked disbelief on both their faces gave her the greatest satisfaction as she collected her newly laundered evening dress and climbed the stairs to get ready

- THE END