Mavis Belfrage Read Online Free PDF

decent pub round the corner. I’ve missed the pubs since we came out here.” Gordon performed deft movements which ended with him seated facing his son, a soft-boiled egg in a cup before each of them. Colin was watching him with a mournfulness Gordon seemed to find amusing.
    â€œStop looking tragic!” he cried. “You arenae driving a poor lonely old soul from hearth and home! I’m not fifty yet. I’ve more friends than you have. Anyway, I’ll be here at weekends if only to weed the garden. I doubt if you or Mavis will do it.”
    â€œYou’re … a very … decent man,” said Colin, smiling at him lovingly. Gordon grinned with pleasure then frowned and said, “Since I’m leaving I’ll be so bold as to ask a question I couldnae have asked otherwise. Mavis. Why don’t you boss her a bit? I think she’d be happier if you did.”
    â€œBoss her,” said Colin, staring at his egg. “Taking orders is the thing she most hates. If I bossed her she would leave me.”
    â€œAnd you’re afraid of that?”
    â€œTerrified.”
    â€œCan’t help you there son.”
    Gordon finished his breakfast and went to work. Colin returned to the curtained bedroom. Without switching on the light he sat on the bed beside Mavis and stroked her hair until she opened her eyes and said, “Mm?”
    â€œI spoke to him.”
    â€œWell?”
    â€œHe’s leaving.”
    She thought for a moment then said, “Won’t that be very sad for him?”
    â€œI think so. But he makes light of it.”
    â€œWell,” said Mavis, yawning, “if you can accept it so can I. He isn’t
my
father.”
10
    One Saturday Mavis returned to the house in Saint Leonard’s Bank and found a cluster of toy balloons against the living-room ceiling. Strings hung from them. Colin and Bill were tying the ends to the turrets of Glonda.
    â€œHullo!” said Mavis dropping her shopping bag on a chair. “Have you noticed how late I am?”
    Both had noticed. Colin had been worried but the sight of her made that irrelevant. He had never seen her so cheerful. He sat down to enjoy the sight, stretching his arms and saying, “It doesn’t matter. I gave Bill his tea.”
    â€œI knew you would.”
    With dance-like movements she went to the windowand rearranged flowers in a vase saying, “I met Clive Evans in the supermarket. It was nice meeting an old friend. He took me for a meal.”
    â€œEvans the Welshman?” asked Colin, still contemplating her with pleasure.
    â€œYes. It was fun meeting him by accident like that. He’s teaching now. Do I seem drunk?”
    â€œYou seem cheerful. He bought you a drink?”
    â€œNo, he admired me. I made a tremendous impression on him. Don’t
you
feel intoxicated when someone admires you?”
    â€œPeople don’t admire me,” said Colin smiling ruefully.
    â€œMake them! It should be easy. You’re full of good qualities. Bill you scruffy little tyke, let me have a look at you.”
    Bill was still tying balloon strings to spools on the sides of turrets. She pressed his head forward, peered at the nape of his neck and said, “A bath is what you need, my lad. Upstairs, undress and get into one. Scoot!”
    â€œI had a bath last night, Mavis.”
    â€œYou need another. Scoot!”
    Bill pulled a face and left. Colin said thoughtfully, “I never liked Evans. Did you?”
    â€œIn college? O no. He was pompous and smug. Do you remember how he said ‘I think that sums it up?’ whenever he thought he’d been smart? But outside college he’s different, very witty and funny. Almost as big a surprise as you.”
    â€œIn what way?”
    â€œIn college you were suave, aloof, dominating. Outside you were mothered by your daddy and play with toys on the living-room table.”
    Colin brooded on this until she sat by him and