Miss Potterton's Birthday Tea by Amanda Prowse Page B

a flat. So that’s Plan A, really. In a nutshell.’ He held Ian’s gaze, shifting slightly in his seat, awkward at having shared his dream.
    â€˜Sounds wonderful, Marley. And what are plans B and C?’
    Marley pulled back his shoulders, his chin jutting slightly as if to emphasise his resolve. ‘If I fail, Plan B is to go back and repeat Plan A. And if Plan B fails, then Plan C is to go back and repeat A and B…’
    â€˜I get the idea.’ Ian grinned at Marley’s single-mindedness, the like of which he hadn’t seen for a long while – if you didn’t count Helen’s determination to sod off with Mr Sausage Pants. Funny, usually when he thought about that, he felt angry, upset. Right now? He felt... nothing.
    â€˜I won’t stop until I’ve made it happen and it doesn’t matter how long it takes. I figure that getting to where I want to be is part of my job, and if I think I’ve already started on my journey, that spurs me on, you know?’
    Ian nodded. ‘Yes, I do know. I remember after my first three years of uni, when a lot of my friends were going off to quite well-paid jobs and I knew I had another few years of slog and studying ahead of me, it was tough. But reminding myself that I was on my way, that I’d already put in a lot of leg work, made it easier to carry on.’
    â€˜He’s a good boy, works really hard.’
    Marley cringed.
    â€˜You must be proud of him.’ Ian smiled at her.
    â€˜I am. Not only because of what he’ll achieve, but because he’s lovely. I just want him to be happy. And I like him. I like spending time with him and I think that’s the best compliment there is, really, that someone wants to spend time with you. I think that’s love.’
    Ian stared at her, trying to think of the last time he had wanted to spend time with someone or they him.
    Miss Potterton smiled at the young woman who seemingly also wanted to spend time with her, and this thought made her very happy. ‘I think the pot might need refreshing.’ She reached over and placed the back of her liver-spotted hand against the cooling china.
    â€˜Oh, let me!’ Tina jumped up and carefully scooped the teapot into her hands, carrying it like a precious thing into the kitchen.
    Ian noted her slender form as she left the table. ‘Your mum’s full of energy!’
    â€˜She’s always like that. It makes me laugh – and pisses me off sometimes. Oh! Sorry!’ Marley hunched his shoulders and turned down his mouth as he apologised to their hostess.
    Miss Potterton, however, was having a deaf spell. Conveniently.
    Marley continued. ‘I don’t know anyone else like her – she’s happy all the time. When the toast pops up, she makes this little noise like it’s an exciting thing, and when she gets to pick up our chips, they call her order number and she waves the little slip of paper over her head like she’s won something.’ He shook his head. ‘Even when things are shit…’ Again he looked towards their hostess. ‘She just seems to find the happy!’
    â€˜I think that’s a really nice way to live.’ Ian smiled at Marley.
    â€˜Tom was very much like that. A positive nature, always found the good. Whereas I could be a bit judgemental.’
    â€˜You, Cordelia? No!’ Ian laughed.
    â€˜Hmmph.’ She bristled, with the twist of a smile to her mouth. ‘But Tom balanced me. And even now, all these years later, I still take the advice and try to temper my thoughts and views accordingly. We’re always conversing, you know. On any number of topics. I find it most comforting that we can still talk. I find great solace in that.’
    Ian stared at his maiden aunt. This new insight into her life was quite wonderful. He was glad that she’d had someone special, someone to help her find the happy. But who was Tom and why had they never