"David, I wish you had told me this earlier."
I sighed, then I said, "I know, but how many times have I got to tell you. I only found out about it yesterday."
She was not happy, it might be best to end the call. I knew that in a couple of hours she would have calmed down.
"Mother, I have another call waiting. I will phone you back later."
Before she could reply I cut her off. There wasn't anybody else on the line, it was just my excuse to end the conversation. Yesterday had certainly been an interesting day. As I made myself a coffee I thought about what had happened.
It was mid-morning and I was sitting at my desk, just about to eat a sandwich, when my boss Charlotte approached me. She was smiling, but it looked forced. That was worrying.
"Mr. Harrington would like a word."
"Just one?"
Normally a quip like that would get a laugh, but not today.
As I walked to his office I was apprehensive, what had I done wrong? When I got to the door I checked that my tie was straight, then I knocked.
"David, thanks for coming to see me."
He made it sound as if it was by choice, but it wasn't, I had been summoned.
"Sit down, it's good news," then he smiled before adding, "You have been promoted."
For a few seconds I was lost for words, then I composed myself enough to say, "Thanks."
He then went on to explain that a vacancy had just come up for a supervisor. It needed to be filled quickly, and that I was the man for the job.
Then he corrected himself, "Sorry, I should have said person for the job."
Yes he should have, but he had got there in the end.
"Normally somebody who is only twenty one would be considered too young for such a role, however because of your excellent work so far we are going to take a chance with you," then I got a stern look from him before he continued with, "Don't let me down."
"No Mr. Harrington, I will not let you down."
I had sounded confident, but it was all bluster. I was already starting to get nervous about the new job.
"There is some bad news though."
He was now frowning.
"The vacancy is in the department you used to work for. You will have to leave head office."
"But I have only been here for six months."
He shrugged his shoulders before saying, "I realise it's a pain having to relocate again, but it's also a great opportunity."
He then went on to tell me even more bad news, my last day in the office was to be this Thursday. Today was Tuesday, so there was very little time to organise my move back home.
When I got back to my desk Charlotte was waiting for me.
"Mr Harrington told me about your new job this morning. It's good for you, but I am not happy about losing one of my best workers," then I got a nice smile from her before she continued with, "No, my BEST worker."
"Thanks Charlotte, I have mixed emotions. It's a good career move, but I have been very happy here."
She then explained why the move had to be done so soon. There was a big project starting next week, I needed to be there at the start. Also they had already got a replacement for me, and they were due to start Friday.
"They don't waste any time here. I leave Thursday and somebody will be sitting at my desk on Friday."
"Yes, but they will probably not be as good as you."
That made me feel guilty. I should be glad that Charlotte was getting a replacement straight away.
I gave her my best smile before saying, "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"It's OK," then she added, "Now we need to discuss the details of your move."
She then explained that because it was the company's decision to relocate me, they would pay for my belongings to be transported, but where to? It would have to be to Mother's place. I could then take my time looking for a new apartment. Now we needed somebody to do the move. After forty minutes of ringing round there was nobody available at such short notice. Charlotte was getting frustrated.
"We might have to put your things in storage," then she quickly added, "Hopefully for just a few days."
I didn't like the sound of that, but then I had an idea.
"My Mother will move me."
"But will all your things fit into the car?"
"Yes, and Mother will be happy to do it."
I then smiled. She must have thought it was because I had come up with a solution, but it was because I was now hatching a plan to get Mother to bring Grandma with her. Would all my things fit into the car? Yes, but Grandma would have to sit on my lap again.
After our last journey we had only been intimate a couple of times. We were finding it difficult to be alone together. My girlfriend Jane was spending most of her free time with me, at her place or mine, so there was very limited opportunity. The last time was nearly two months ago when I went home to visit Mother. When Jane went out shopping with her, Grandma declined.
"You two go out, I would rather stay at home."
Nobody asked me, they just assumed I didn't want to go. As soon as they were out of the door I had my hands on her, there were no complaints from Grandma, she was as keen as I was.
"I thought they would never go. Now fuck me to a quick climax, then you can take your time in giving me another one."
She got her first one in five minutes, but she had to wait an hour for the next one. When they returned Grandma was watching television, and I was reading a book. Mother looked at each of us in turn, before saying, "You should have come shopping with us. We had a great time."
Yes, they probably did, but not as good a time as we had while they were away.
After an hour and half I decided I had better ring Mother again. When she answered I could tell she was more relaxed, she had come to terms with it.
"So what time do you want me there Friday?"
"As soon as possible."
"It's at least a four hour drive, and I am not setting off before seven."
"OK, sometime around mid-day is fine," then, with my fingers crossed, I added, "What about Grandma?"
"She said yes, but I don't know why. It's going to be a long day for her and she will probably have to sit on your lap on the return leg."
I tried to hide the excitement from my voice as I said, "She is doing it for you, to keep you company. That's why I wanted you to ask her."
I was now grinning like the Cheshire Cat. I was going to get what I wanted, Grandma on my lap.
"I just wish Jane could come, we could share the driving."
"Sorry, as I said before, she can't get time off work."
"David, I have decided that I am only going to do this on one condition."
I didn't like the sound of that, Mother's conditions can be quite strict.
"You have to start taking driving lessons again. I will pay," then she quickly added, "For some of them."
"It's a deal."
"Good, you are twenty one. You should have passed your test a long time ago."
This time it was her who ended the call, everything had been resolved.
My promotion, and the move, had taken me by surprise. At first I was apprehensive, but now I was excited. Mother hadn't actually said it, but I could tell she was looking forward to having me back home. After speaking to Mr. Harrington, Charlotte had given me the good news about the money I would receive for relocating. I was going to get what it would have cost them to pay for a removal firm, and I was also getting a generous weekly allowance until I found a place of my own. I was going to give all of it to my Mother, but I hadn't told her yet, it was going to be a surprise.
On Thursday Charlotte let me leave work early, so that I could pack. When I got back to the apartment I spent a couple of hours putting my stuff into boxes. I then decided I would do the rest tomorrow morning.
The next day I was up at seven. I got a quick call from Mother thirty minutes later.
"Just to let you know we are setting off now. Make sure you are packed for when I get there."
Then she was gone before I could reply. I had plenty of time to finish packing, but I had a nagging feeling that if I left it until later, I would end up having to rush to complete it before she arrived. Best to get it done now.
I was finished just after nine. Everything was now ready to go, and I had checked the whole apartment thoroughly to see if I had missed anything. Ten minutes later I decided to check again, but I found nothing. That was it done now, I could relax.
I had stacked everything in the living room. Would it all fit into the car? It didn't look possible, and I would have been worried if we hadn't already done this before. It was mostly what I had come with, so if it was arranged carefully it would all go in. Despite my best efforts I hadn't managed to find a suitable place, so after nearly six months I was still in the company apartment. That had been a worry, but now it was to my advantage because it made my move back home a lot easier. As I waited for them I watched a bit of television, and I did some reading.
Just after twelve there was frantic knocking on the door, they must be here, but why the hurry? When I opened the door Mother pushed passed me.
"I need the bathroom."
I turned to watch her go, she was almost running, she must be desperate.
"Don't I get a hug?"
When I turned back it was Grandma, she was grinning. As I held her I was just about to whisper something in her ear, then I froze, there was somebody else behind her.
"When is it my turn?"
I just smiled at her, I was trying to compose myself. Why was she here?
"Granny, what a surprise," then I quickly added, "A nice surprise."
Her hug wasn't as firm as Grandma's. When she released me she said, "Don't call me Granny, that makes me feel old. How many times have I got to tell you, it's Sophie?"
It was all said with a smile on her face, and I responded by smiling back, and then just saying, "OK."
Mother was back now.
"You never said anything about Granny," then I corrected myself, "Sophie."
"Yes I did. Well I think I did. Does it matter?"
"No, but it was a surprise."