Grandmother Returns

“Benson?” Mum stepped down the staircase.

“Yes, madame?” Benson replied calmly, as usual.

“Is everything dusted?” She and Benson waltzed around the house.

“Yes, madame.” Benson swiftly walked with mum.

“Tea and scones ready?” She asked.

“Yes madame, earl grey and cranberry,” Benson replied.

“Are the satin sheets on her bed?” Mum nervously paced.

“Yes, madame,” Benson replied with a worried gaze as he watched mum pace back and forth in the foyer.

“Are the white lilies on her bedside table?” Mum asked still pacing.

“Yes madame, may I offer you a glass of water?” Benson snapped his fingers and Katherine delivered a glass of ice water to mum’s hand.

“Thank you, Katherine.” Mum took a deep breath and motioned in her direction as she scurried back towards the kitchen. I walked down the stairs where she was standing. “Romey, go change.”

“Why? I like this blouse.” I looked down at my white shirt.

“Mary laid some clothes out for you. Go put those on, please.” She responded and quickly moved into the library for inspection. I walked back upstairs and put on the floral top, light pink pleated skirt, nude tights and some flower earrings that my grandmother had bought me. I grabbed a pair of flats and headed back downstairs, hoping that I would pass inspection this time. I heard the doorbell ring as I reached the bottom.

“She’s here!” Mum walked into the foyer with all of the staff following. Benson stood right next to the door, the maids lined up, the nanny right after the maids with Eddy, even the florist who had stopped by got in line. This was a very, very big moment. Benson looked over at mum and she gave a slight nod. He pulled open the door.

“Hello, my dears!”

“Hello mother, it’s lovely to have you!” My mum went to kiss her mother on the cheek. Oh yes, grandmother had arrived.

I gave her a hug next, then Eddy. Her luggage had already been whisked away to her room. Everyone knew the drill, grandmother was now the boss and everything must be completed perfectly. Grandmother, mum, Eddy and I headed into the living room where tea was set up. Three tiers of fruit, cucumber sandwiches and salad. Along with a pile of cranberry scones.

“May I offer you some tea, Madame?” Katherine entered with a large pot of Earl Grey.

“Yes, thank you.” Grandmother set a sandwich down on her plate. “So, how are you all? Romey, tell me about the Snowflake Ball? And Eddy, how is football going?”

I put a scone on my plate. “The Ball was amazing. Beautiful dancing and a lovely band. The evening was quite incredible.” I grabbed some jam for the scone and grandmother looked at it.

“Wonderful. Eddy?” She grabbed my scone, put it on a different plate and handed it to Mary. “She won’t be needing this.” I looked over at her. “Have some salad, dear. We want you to keep your beautiful dancer’s physique.” Wonderful! Three more days of this.

“Adeline,” Grandmother motioned for mum.

“Yes, mother?” Mum asked approaching grandmother’s door.

“What time is supper served?” Grandmother asked with a concerned look on her face.

“I’m not sure, I will have Benson clarify.” Mum began to walk away.

“Adeline I am speaking to you. I thought I raised you to never walk away from a conversation.” Grandmother looked sternly at mum.

“Madame, you are needed in the kitchen for a last minute menu check on the dinner with the ambassador for tomorrow.” Benson swooped in saving mum.

“Oh, yes,” Mum was whisked to the private kitchen.

“Romey?” Grandmother softly flaunted her way down the stairs.

“Yes?” I asked jumping from my bed to meet her in the hallway.

“When do you have your next dance class?” She asked looking into the room but not stepping beyond the door.

“Tomorrow,” I said, a little confused why she wanted to know.

“What time? I would like to be as a silent observer. Just to see your progress before I spend money on balcony seats, not that you won’t be wonderful as always.” The last part drifted off as her focus was drawn to my window.

“Eleven to three. I’m sure Madame Moreau will be pleased to see you.” I smiled even though I was screaming on the inside. I knew that if I made the slightest mistake she would jump all over me.

“And turn. Bradley, come on. You need to move from Odile to Odette, not the other way around.” Madame Moreau critiqued us as we went through our final run through of the scene. “Alright, Romey. Go through your new section again.”

I jumped and spun through my set of steps. I did one last jeté and landed, but lost my balance. Grandmother sat in the corner and silently shook her head.

“That is enough for today.” Madame Moreau walked back to her office and I gathered my bag.

“I always loved Swan Lake. Although I have to say, your mother really was the only great swan. She was just so naturally graceful. You’ll get there one day, my dear.” Grandmother walked out of the studio with me to the car.

The guests filled the dining room as our dinner began. Mum had spent hours planning this party. It needed to be perfect for grandmother, to prove that she could do things independently. I was wearing a red Oscar de la Renta dress. Beautiful silk with a medium bow around the waist and a black clutch. Mum had put out the perfect white flowers and beautiful china. Grandmother sat down and nodded with approval at the wines on the table. She was sitting next to the ambassador and a professor, she would happily chat with them all night long.

The evening went well. Grandmother bonded with the another grandparent. Her favourite thing to do is play, “My grandkids are the best,” which usually sounds like this: “Oh, yes. Romey loves languages. She speaks French, Italian and Spanish. What about your granddaughter?” She also actually smiled when her favourite dish of filet mignon, fingerling potatoes, haricots verts and baby carrots was brought out. Mum had a lovely time chatting with some guests and I enjoyed watching everyone get along together.

After dinner, I went up to get ready for bed. I went up to my Mum’s room to say goodnight and there was grandmother sitting on her bed! And they were laughing! I decided not to shatter the moment and I hoped this would last for the rest of grandmother’s trip.