have no faith in my judgement at all? I tried again.
‘Look, he’s divorcing Annabel because of irreconcilable differences. His mother died recently, and he wanted to move back into the family home - it’s an ancestral seat, so he has to really. His mother was the daughter of an Earl, or something, and inherited Ashbury Park in Oxfordshire. It’s now in trust so that it can be passed down through the generations, so he has to live there. But Annabel refused. He gave her an ultimatum, but she said she wasn’t budging.’
‘ That’s not a reason to divorce somebody. You work things out. I’m sorry Laura, but the man sounds like a control freak to me. He didn’t get his own way, so he divorces her!’
She made that disgusted ‘phah’ sound; the one she always used to make when she was less than impressed with Dad’s excuses. I’m sure you know the one I mean.
‘Mum, how can you make a judgement like that on such little information? That’s just one example. They haven’t been sleeping together for ages - not really since Alexa, their daughter, was born.’
‘Oh, he’s got children too. Perfect. Laura, have I taught you nothing? He’ll tell you that he’s not having sex with his wife, because he knows you won’t like it if he is. No doubt he hasn’t told his wife that he’s having sex with you either. It’s what they do, child. If they’re still in the same house, I’d bet you a pound to a penny that they’re still in the same bed.’
This was going horribly wrong, and I was near to tears.
‘Mum, you really don’t understand. Not only has he moved out of the house and back into his family home, but for your information - although it’s none of your business - we haven’t made love yet, and don’t intend to until his divorce is finalised!’
That shut her up. She put her hands together as if in prayer, and lifted them to her lips.
‘Laura, my love, are you telling me that Hugo, if I’m allowed to call him that, is happy with this arrangement?’
So I told her that it was his idea. Not mine. He’s got his reasons. He’s still not divorced, and he doesn’t want my name dragging through the mud. On top of that, he thinks that if Annabel gets wind of a relationship she’ll try to up the ante on her settlement, so he wants to keep me out of it. I think that shows enormous restraint, personally, but apparently I’m the only one who does.
Obviously Mum thought this all a bit odd. She gave a derisive snort, but then seemed to collect herself and asked ‘Are you happy with this, Laura?’
Well, actually I’m not. I wasn’t about to admit it, though. I am desperate to be with him, Imo. I am aching for us to make love. But I respect his views, and I wasn’t about to show my mother the slightest chink in my armour. However, there was no stopping her.
‘Have you asked yourself if this is entirely normal? You’re not exactly a vestal virgin who has to be protected from the evils of pre-marital sex, are you?’
Sometimes, my mother even surprises me !
‘Look, Laura, I know exactly when you had sex for the first time, and who with. I’m your mother. It’s my job to know these things. You’re not a tart, but you’re no saint either, and I know that you have a healthy sexual appetite. The question is, does Hugo?’
That is something that I’ve never tried to hide. I find it very difficult to keep my hands off him, so of course he knows.
‘No, love, you misunderstood me,’ she said quietly. ‘I meant, you have a healthy sexual appetite, but does Hugo ?’
So that’s why we were so subdued at supper. I couldn’t tell you all this, I didn’t give you the original letter, and now I just feel dejected.
Sorry, Imo - you must have thought I was in a mood. But it had nothing to do with you. Nothing at all.
Lots of love
Laura
*
JUNE 1998
Dear Imogen
How did you feel just before you got married? It’s such a time of charged emotions, isn’t it? I suspect every bride-to-be
‘Look, he’s divorcing Annabel because of irreconcilable differences. His mother died recently, and he wanted to move back into the family home - it’s an ancestral seat, so he has to really. His mother was the daughter of an Earl, or something, and inherited Ashbury Park in Oxfordshire. It’s now in trust so that it can be passed down through the generations, so he has to live there. But Annabel refused. He gave her an ultimatum, but she said she wasn’t budging.’
‘ That’s not a reason to divorce somebody. You work things out. I’m sorry Laura, but the man sounds like a control freak to me. He didn’t get his own way, so he divorces her!’
She made that disgusted ‘phah’ sound; the one she always used to make when she was less than impressed with Dad’s excuses. I’m sure you know the one I mean.
‘Mum, how can you make a judgement like that on such little information? That’s just one example. They haven’t been sleeping together for ages - not really since Alexa, their daughter, was born.’
‘Oh, he’s got children too. Perfect. Laura, have I taught you nothing? He’ll tell you that he’s not having sex with his wife, because he knows you won’t like it if he is. No doubt he hasn’t told his wife that he’s having sex with you either. It’s what they do, child. If they’re still in the same house, I’d bet you a pound to a penny that they’re still in the same bed.’
This was going horribly wrong, and I was near to tears.
‘Mum, you really don’t understand. Not only has he moved out of the house and back into his family home, but for your information - although it’s none of your business - we haven’t made love yet, and don’t intend to until his divorce is finalised!’
That shut her up. She put her hands together as if in prayer, and lifted them to her lips.
‘Laura, my love, are you telling me that Hugo, if I’m allowed to call him that, is happy with this arrangement?’
So I told her that it was his idea. Not mine. He’s got his reasons. He’s still not divorced, and he doesn’t want my name dragging through the mud. On top of that, he thinks that if Annabel gets wind of a relationship she’ll try to up the ante on her settlement, so he wants to keep me out of it. I think that shows enormous restraint, personally, but apparently I’m the only one who does.
Obviously Mum thought this all a bit odd. She gave a derisive snort, but then seemed to collect herself and asked ‘Are you happy with this, Laura?’
Well, actually I’m not. I wasn’t about to admit it, though. I am desperate to be with him, Imo. I am aching for us to make love. But I respect his views, and I wasn’t about to show my mother the slightest chink in my armour. However, there was no stopping her.
‘Have you asked yourself if this is entirely normal? You’re not exactly a vestal virgin who has to be protected from the evils of pre-marital sex, are you?’
Sometimes, my mother even surprises me !
‘Look, Laura, I know exactly when you had sex for the first time, and who with. I’m your mother. It’s my job to know these things. You’re not a tart, but you’re no saint either, and I know that you have a healthy sexual appetite. The question is, does Hugo?’
That is something that I’ve never tried to hide. I find it very difficult to keep my hands off him, so of course he knows.
‘No, love, you misunderstood me,’ she said quietly. ‘I meant, you have a healthy sexual appetite, but does Hugo ?’
So that’s why we were so subdued at supper. I couldn’t tell you all this, I didn’t give you the original letter, and now I just feel dejected.
Sorry, Imo - you must have thought I was in a mood. But it had nothing to do with you. Nothing at all.
Lots of love
Laura
*
JUNE 1998
Dear Imogen
How did you feel just before you got married? It’s such a time of charged emotions, isn’t it? I suspect every bride-to-be
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