Free Love or Money by Peter McAra

Every man on the planet does. But deep down, where things really matter, he’s a thoroughly decent human being.’ She leaned forward, about to pass on a confidence. ‘And he really loves you, Erin. I’m sure about that now. We’ve had lots of chats since you broke up. Long chats. And I know — he really wants to put his money where his mouth is.’
    â€˜What on earth do you mean, Mother?’
    â€˜He wants to…start a family. Marry. Set up a fabulous home for you. A little nest. Where you can bring up babies, enjoy the absolute luxury of being a stay-at-home mum.’
    Erin held her poker face. She wouldn’t tell her mother she’d rejected Todd’s pleas to have his babies, that it had been the final nail in the coffin of their relationship. ‘And…I want grandchildren. I…don’t know how much longer I’ve got.’ Was that a tear she brushed away with a quick flick of the wrist? ‘But I’ll tell you, darling. It’s something I’ve pined over for years. I want to die knowing I’ve held my grandchild — here. She clutched her arms to her heart.
    â€˜Mother.’ Erin had to be gentle but sensible. ‘I went out with Todd for six weary years. I know him pretty well. Then I broke up with him. It wasn’t an overnight thing. I thought about it for months. It’s over, Mother. O. V. E. R.’
    Actually, she’d anguished over her relationship with Todd for the entire six years. For all his money, his boy’s toys, his theatricals, she could never say she’d really loved him — never felt the certainty, the I-just-know-it’s-him passion that she knew she would feel the second the real Mr Right appeared. At first, Todd had turned her head with his flashy ways, his fancy cars, his dinners out, and the mountains of flowers that appeared on special occasions. Then, she’d got tired of all that. Nothing he gave her could substitute for the real thing.
    â€˜Darling. I understand.’ Helen had always been close to her daughter, had always put herself out whenever Erin really needed something — clothes, school stuff, cash. She was grateful for those sacrifices. For her mother’s sake, she would cope with dinner at some boringly formal restaurant. Todd would snap into his bended knee performances — all the hard-sell lines she’d heard a million times before. A few hours’ boredom wasn’t such a high price to pay for a night that her mother would love.
    â€˜If you could just go along with tonight, darling, you’ll make me very happy.’
    â€˜I will, Mum.’
    â€˜Thanks, but you’re the one he —’ The doorbell rang. Erin walked up the passage, biting her lip.
    â€˜Eri!’ With his first word, Todd put his foot in his mouth again. Why did he always call her by the name she hated? He flung his arms round her, juggling with two huge bunches of flowers, one in each hand. As he aimed his lips towards hers, she turned her head. He landed a kiss on her cheek, grinned, then followed her down the hall. She took in his shiny shoes, his new grey business suit, his designer haircut: close, bristly.
    â€˜Helen!’ Todd stooped to hug Mrs Spenser, kissed her firmly on the lips. ‘A little something for you.’ He dropped one bouquet on the sofa, held the other out to the beaming woman sitting on the couch. She flashed a grin at Erin, who stood watching at a safe distance. Then, brushing his fingers over Helen’s, he stood, picked up the other bouquet, and handed it to Erin with a mock bow. ‘To the queen of my heart, now and forever.’ She took it, then parked it on a sideboard. As he reached to hug her, she slipped out of range.
    â€˜Thanks, Todd,’ she nodded, polite, cool, not wanting to give him the inch that could become a mile. ‘Very kind of you.’
    â€˜Well, then, ladies.’ Todd took centre stage, facing the two