Page 54 of The Second Chance Supper Club

The news of Maria’s passing tore a chunk right out of Cath’s heart. She hadn’t known her long, but she had already grown very fond of the elderly lady. She’d hoped their friendship might have had a chance to flourish, that they’d have the opportunity to give a little light to each other’s lives.

Bless her, Cath mused, she’d never got her chance to make it to The Great Escape lunch.

The doctors had diagnosed a stroke, with her earlier falls likely to be linked with that, Dan had explained.

Poor Andreas must be totally devastated.

Cath had popped back with the rest of Shirley’s things soon afterwards, offering to help with anything at all, and then left the boys in peace.

Naturally, they were rather shell-shocked, and she sensed they might need some space.

She spotted the ‘Closed due to unforeseen circumstances’ sign up in the shop’s window that next morning, as she had gone for a short walk trying to clear her own head. Bless them, the lads were most likely holed up in their flat, trying to come to terms with the awful reality of it all.

Back at the cottage, Cath was left wondering how best she might help Andreas and Dan, remembering how floored she’d been when her own mother had died.

A part of you knew that your parents couldn’t possibly live forever, but however old they were, it was never enough.

Your mum was such a huge part of your life from the get-go – if you were one of the lucky ones.

And her loss had been one of the hardest things that Cath had ever had to deal with.

The flip side of love is loss, and she knew that Andreas would be struggling with gut-wrenching grief.

She made a group chat with Nikki, Lily and (taking a breath) Will, letting them know of Maria’s passing, and suggesting they club together and leave some food and gift parcels to help the boys out, and to hopefully cheer them somewhat.

After all, a little kindness went a long way.

Cath offered to cook a main course that the boys could easily reheat, pondering on what might be the nicest comfort food in the circumstances …

and then waited to hear back from the others.

Within seconds, her phone was buzzing, offers of sympathy and help bouncing in, pronto.

Lily was more than happy to make a cake or some tray bakes for them, Nikki had already heard the awful news and responded with an ‘Oh, it’s so sad.

I spoke with Dan earlier. Bless them all.

’ Adding that she’d have a little think how best to help them foodwise.

A minute later, and Will came on with ‘That’s such sad news.

I’ll take some nice coffee and some beers around.

’ He was there too, to help support the lads when it counted, the pair of them putting aside their own personal issues, and that lifted Cath.

She settled on making a cottage pie. Always a comfort, and if they didn’t fancy it straight away, it would easily freeze.

She quickly set off to the butcher and grocer in Kirkton for her ingredients.

The sky was a bold azure-blue today, the sun bright and brash.

The birds still singing. Life, as always, was going on.

It dawned on her that she was heading the same route as just those few days before.

The last visit had been a shock, but Cath felt so glad she’d popped by and had that earlier time in the care home garden with Maria – the memory precious.

Was it now time to take the old lady’s advice and knock on Will’s door, try to explain her youthful actions, well inactions really, once and for all?

She was so pleased that Will had at least answered the chat message.

It was good to know that he was still there for the group.

An hour or so later, the cottage pie was in the oven baking through, aromas of rich beef, leeks and herby gravy filling her kitchen.

She’d take it around, once it had cooled a little, having decided to give a polite knock on the lads’ door and leave the dish without any fuss, being as unobtrusive as possible.

Her own doorbell then went. Nikki was stood there with a gentle smile, and a holdall of goodies.

She and Lily had pooled their offerings, apparently, and there was a freshly baked strawberry and cream Victoria sponge in a large Tupperware carry box, chocolate brownies, a bottle of Prosecco with a handwritten note tied around its neck: Some fizz in memory of your wonderful mother, Maria xx – Nikki had thought they might want to celebrate Maria’s life.

And, various crisps, nibbles and olives, along with a large bar of Cadbury’s caramel (Andreas’s naughty indulgence), in case snacks were the only things they fancied.

Nikki suggested taking the whole lot over together in person, as a kind of foodie hug-in-a-box, and Cath had the perfect wicker basket to pop it all in.

While the cottage pie was finishing off, Cath popped the kettle on and they had a quick brew.

Nikki got down to business swiftly. ‘So hun, what really is going on between you and Will?’

Darn it, there was nowhere to hide. ‘Oh, Nikki. It’s complicated. We’ll work it out between us somehow, I’m sure.’ Her words were more hopeful than she actually believed.

‘Hmm … and you’re sure you can’t tell me anything? Just a snippet?’

‘No, sorry, Niks, it doesn’t seem right to, not yet. And please, don’t mention anything to anyone else in the group.’

‘Of course not, I’m not that daft … I’m no meddler. But if you ever want to chat, you know where I am.’ She placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

‘I know, and thank you.’

Cath didn’t know where any of this with Will was going herself. She was still trying to process it. Clinging on to the hope that somehow there was a way they might sort things out, at least to continue as friends.

Cath and Nikki walked across the village to deliver the food parcel, intending to be discreet and leave the basket on the step, after politely ringing the bell.

But just as they pressed the buzzer and were about to step away, Will arrived with his freshly ground coffee, and a six-pack of local ales.

‘Hey.’ He gave a cautious smile, but then there was an awkward pause, with Nikki looking from Cath to Will and back again, her expression bemused.

‘Do I need to bang your heads together now or later?’ Nikki couldn’t help herself.

‘Ah,’ Will floundered. He then popped his offering down beside their laden food basket.

In the meantime, the back door to the shop opened, and the two lads were standing there.

‘Oh, what’s all this, then?’ Dan asked, looking bemused. ‘Hello, my loves. What’s going on here?’ A pale and drawn-looking Andreas was there too.

‘We are so sorry for your loss, boys,’ said Nikki.

‘Umm, we were just going to leave this here for you. We don’t want to intrude,’ explained Cath. ‘A little Red Cross parcel.’

‘Just some foodie bits,’ Nikki added. ‘From Lily too.’ ‘And a few beers,’ Will finished. ‘Sorry to hear the news, lads.’

‘You’re beginning to sound like the three bloody Musketeers!’ Dan managed to smile. ‘But, it’s nice to see you.’

‘Aw, you lot … Come here.’ Andreas opened his arms wide.

Cath couldn’t help but smile, a happy-sad smile. And as they finally pulled away from a warm group hug, the lads peered into the basket, delighted with their gifts. ‘Oh, that’s so very kind and thoughtful.’ There were tears and even more hugs all round.

‘You can come in, you know …’ Andreas said, once they’d all stepped apart, opening the door wider for them. Yet, he stood there looking wracked with grief.

‘No … thanks, lads, but not right now. It’s very lovely of you, but I think you might just need a bit of time out.’ Cath was firm, her tone caring.

‘We’ll catch up very soon though, guys,’ Nikki added. ‘You take care of yourselves.’

‘And if there’s anything at all we can do, let us know,’ Cath said.

‘Absolutely,’ Will chipped in. ‘D’Artagnan at your service.’

The lads couldn’t help smiling at that.

Maria’s funeral took place eight days later at the old stone church in Kirkton, where just a few years before, she used to help with the flowers.

She’d initially had a small bungalow in the town, after moving up from London to be nearer to Andreas, before becoming frail and having to move into the care home.

A city girl who’d quickly grown to love her Northumberland countryside home – much like Cath.

It was sunshine and showers on the day of the service, and inside the church were colourful displays of carnations and scented freesias, roses, gerberas and lilies – all of Maria’s favourites.

The supper club gathered in one of the wooden pews to show their respects and to give their support – Will, then Nikki and Lily, and Cath in a line.

Will looked pale and was particularly quiet. He was standing there, oh so handsome in his smart black suit, but seemed lost. Cath wondered if being at a funeral was bringing it all back to him. Could this be the church where he had lain his wife to rest? Her heart went out to him.

They’d been asked to wear black but with a splash of colour. Ties and scarves, blouses and shirts in all kinds of bold shades lifted the sombre attire, and the flowers on the wooden coffin were an array of summer blooms, in oranges and purples, yellows and reds.

There were readings, one especially heartfelt by Andreas – who just managed to make it through, with the supper group willing him on.

Songs that filled the ancient space, the congregation being in good voice, and a poignant poem read by her daughter, Andreas’s older sister, Alexandria, with not a dry eye left in the church.

A real celebration of her life. From the family stories and tributes, and the many friends and relatives gathered, she’d been a well-loved lady, who’d had a good and full life.

There were tears and laughter at the wake, held at The Star Inn in the village.

And, of course, lots of gorgeous food – a buffet prepared and served by the pub, but with personal touches, no doubt initiated by Andreas, to give a Greek-Cypriot twist to the proceedings.

Lots of family had come up to stay overnight; the village and pub suddenly filled with London accents, and Greek expressions, with stories of Maria’s various antics, and touching memories.

Eleni and her new husband were there, having taken the trip up from London by train, and Cath found herself chatting with them later.

Cath told them how delighted Maria had been with all the wedding photos they’d recently sent.

She smiled as she then heard how Auntie Maria was known as the fun but feisty one, back in the day.

She could be strict too, but always fair, and sociable and kind with it.

Her family suppers were legendary, apparently.

‘Hey, Andreas, do you remember when you didn’t come home that night?

’ Eleni started. ‘Mum told me all about it. Been clubbing too hard at The Roxy, slept on some mate’s floor …

but you didn’t think to tell your Ma … Maria had been so worried, and then went totally crazy with you.

You were grounded for weeks! And banned from baklava … ’

‘Yeah, that was the worst of it, she made me forgo my favourite food. Anyhow, stop spilling my secrets, Eleni. I was only seventeen …’

They both grinned.

Andreas’s sister came over to see Cath too, talking about how much Andreas loved his new life up here.

How Maria had settled in well, and been made so welcome by the local community too.

A world away from her small flat, her last London home, in the borough of Enfield.

Andreas’s family seemed lovely, so warm and friendly, much like Andreas, and of course Maria.

The characterful matriarch no doubt having nurtured and influenced them all.

Will had called in at the wake, and had a word with the lads, but didn’t linger.

Cath never had the chance to talk with him, other than a brief, polite ‘Hello’ and ‘How are you?’ earlier, as they’d met at the church.

The pair of them merely sharing a guarded smile across the room at the pub.

The awkwardness was still there, and she had to admit it hurt.

But hey, one day at a time, she reminded herself.

And today really wasn’t about the two of them, it was about celebrating the life of a wonderful lady.