Kids Know Best

Her offspring had planned a whole week away for her, with nothing to do but chill – this was hardly Della’s idea of a relaxing trip!

- Lin Silver

You've got to come, Mum,’ said Lottie.

‘Aunt Maud will be really upset if you don’t,’ added Connor.

‘Why don’t you go and I’ll stay here?’ Della suggested. Lottie groaned. ‘You’re missing the point.

We – including Aunt Maud – think you need to recharge your batteries. We’re worried about you, aren’t we, Con?’

Her son nodded and Della felt a pang in her heart. They really cared about her, and she ought to be truly thankful she had such nice kids – or young adults, really – plus an aunt who also cared.

But what she couldn’t explain was that she was happy with her busy life. Since her husband had died tragically young, her feet hadn’t touched the ground. She’d thrown herself into a multitude of activities to take her mind off her grief, but four years had passed now and Della felt no inclination to slow down, put her feet up.

Aunt Maud lived in an old house in a rather remote area on the coast, surrounded by rolling countryside and without a shopping mall in sight. The following week, Connor drove the three of them there in his first car.

‘Hello! Come in!’ Maud greeted them. ‘Everything’s ready. The weather’s so nice, we can have lunch outside on the patio…’

It was nice. But Della wondered what on earth there was to do all day.

‘We thought we might hire a boat on the canal,’ said Connor, enjoying Aunt Maud’s gingerbread.

‘You can hire them any time, no need to book. We could go tomorrow,’ Maud said.

‘And I want to visit the ancient battlefield,’ said Lottie.