“Robert?” Cora answered her phone in surprise. Robert never called her, communication was always via their girls or over text. “Something wrong?”
“No, no, nothing is wrong. I was wondering if you would like to come over for dinner this Friday?”
Cora raised her eyebrows and sat down. “You want me, to come over for dinner?” There must be something wrong, she thought.
“The girls will be there too, and I am inviting Rosamund and Mama.”
Reluctantly Cora agreed to come over. It was the first time after their divorce she was eating in that house again. She decided to call Rosamund.
“Do you know, what is going on with Robert.” She asked when Rosamund picked up the phone.
“I have no clue, but I am amazed he invited you, but mostly that he did that himself.”
Cora chuckled. “You brother is a strange one, we will see on Friday.”
+++
“Mum, I am happy you are coming on Friday.” Sybil said while stuffing her mouth with potatoes.
Cora gave her an annoyed look. “Can you not eat and talk at the same moment.”
Sybil swallowed. “I am sorry mama.”
“Do you know why your father wants me to be there?”
Quickly Sybil put another bite in her mouth and shook her head in denial.
Cora loved it when her girls came unannounced for dinner, she learned to cook for at least two people, so they always had dinner at her place.
+++
Cora put her book down, she wasn’t able to concentrate on it. What was it that Robert needed to tell? Why did he invite everybody at his home?
She felt something stir deep inside her, that she hadn’t for a long time. Did she still love Robert? They separated, because they were fighting all the time. But did she do the right thing. Why didn’t she just accept the fact Robert didn’t include her in everything. She remembered the day he asked her to marry him, they were on a holiday in Scotland. Out of nowhere, while they were walking along Loch Lomond, he got down on his knee and asked her to marry him. She had been overjoyed and said yes in the same second. She remembered the passionate kiss and romantic night they had afterwards.
Mary was born pretty quickly after their marriage and Edith had announced herself right after. It took them some more time to conceive with Sybil. It wasn’t the problem, that they weren’t intimate. She blushed by the memories. After three years, they finally were blessed with a third child. How lucky and happy they had been. Robert adored his girls, that hadn’t changed, except that Cora wasn’t one of his girls anymore.
Things changed, Robert was never the talker, but he kept saying, that she wasn’t to be bothered with, when she asked something about the company. At first, she had tried to work together with Robert, but she soon figured it was better, when she stayed out of it. She started painting, something she loved doing from a young age, and people discovered her. Now she was spotted all around London. Big companies had artwork from her hand and even some rich Londoners had her work.
She got up from her chair and decided to go to bed, tomorrow she would know why Robert invited her.
+++
Mary looked at her dad. He was changing his shirt for the third time. She stepped towards him. “Dad, why are you nervous? Is it because Mama is coming for dinner? You invited her yourself.”
Robert smiled, he was indeed nervous. What was going to happen. He had stayed in their home, and this was the first time they would be together with the whole family after the divorce. “Your mother always liked this shirt.”
Mary raised her eyebrows. “Why did you and mama separate?”
Robert shrugged his shoulders. “We couldn’t find a way to make it work anymore.”
“Both of you speak very fondly of each other, that’s why I wonder.”
“Sometimes, things aren’t as easy as they look. You remember the fights we had, I guess?” Robert looked at Mary.
“Yeah, I do. But that’s just a matter of better communication.”
“Darling, you aren’t going to get your mother and father together anymore. Too much time has passed.”
Mary chuckled and thought ‘we will see’
+++
“Hello Cora.” Violet let Cora kiss her on the cheek, but she was very distant.
“Hello Mama.” Cora still called her Mama out of habit.
Violet huffed and turned around to face Mary, who gave her mother an apologising look.
Edith and Sybil came out of the kitchen. “Dinner is ready.”
Cora sat down in between Mary and Sybil, she was facing Robert and she got the feeling her girls did that on purpose.
Rosamund winked at her and gave her a reassuring smile.
“I invited you all over, because I have some news.” Robert said.
Cora’s heart sunk to the bottom, he was ill….
“I am nominated for businessman of the year.” He continued.
Cora had to force herself not to sigh from relief. Why did she think that though, he would never had told that like this?
Robert received congratulations from his Mama and Rosamund. He looked at Cora. “I want to invite you to that evening as my plus one, because you are a big part in how the company grew over the years.”
Cora coloured. “Are you sure? You can also take Rosamund or Mama?”
“I know, but I want you there.” He got up and announced that dinner was over.
Out of habit Cora started to clean the table and walked to the kitchen. Soon after Robert followed her.
“I am sorry, I put you on the spot just now.” He said.
Cora smiled. “It came out of the blue, but I will be more than happy to accompany you.”
Suddenly Robert put his hand on her hip and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”
Cora was shocked by how familiar this felt. Being in this kitchen together with Robert. The voices of the family on the other side of the door. She dried of her hands and turned around to face Robert.
“Do you also sometimes wonder….” she started but the kitchen door opened and Edith step inside.
“Oh, I am sorry, did I interrupt?” She said.
“No, no, your father and I were just talking.”
“Alright, grandmamma, was asking if the coffee still needed roasting.”
Cora chuckled, Violet always had a sharp tongue. She noticed Mary having the same sharpness sometimes.
“We will talk about the details later.” Robert said walking back into the living room with the coffee.
Cora let out a deep sigh, why did this moment feel so good. Did she really miss Robert? She shook her head and followed into the living room with some biscuits.
Verhalen van Traan 