LEGACY

Francine was trying hard to break through Jean’s resolutely frosty attitude – but she was in for a big surprise…

- Kit McWalter

Francine had always had good instincts. In fact, she called herself a ‘people reader’.

‘Is that something you could make money from?’ Matt often teased her. ‘Like reading tea leaves?’

Francine would snort good-humouredly in reply. Just because he went about in blissful blinkers…

Take his mum, Jean, her future mother-in-law. Francine had yet to discover the warm, supportive woman Matt purported her to be. Maybe it was because this was second time around for both Francine and Matt in the marriage stakes, whereas Jean had been married to Matt’s dad Jim for 45 years.

Matt’s proposed solution was simple. He suggested she take his mum to lunch. ‘I know she wants to look for a wedding outfit. Might be a good bonding experience.’

‘Are you sure? Didn’t she say it’s hardly worth dressing up for “just a registry do”?’

Matt laughed. ‘Mum says a lot of things, but her heart’s in the right place. I really think it might help.’

Francine chickened out of ringing Jean, and texted her with an offer to take her for lunch at the big department store in town. That way, she could look for her wedding outfit at the same time.

Jean replied equably enough, nominating a time and place.