“Thank you, dear. I think I’ll do that. Don’t let me sleep too long,” she instructed before giving John a peck on the cheek and made her way up to bed.
Maureen lay on her bed for a long time in deep thought. She dosed several times but didn’t really sleep. After a few hours John knocked at the door. “Mum, are you awake?” he asked.
Maureen swung her long legs and sat up on the bed. “Yes, sweetheart,” was Maureen’s reply.
The door opened and John walked in and handed his mother a cup of tea.
“Thank you dear,” she said before taking a sip.
“Did you sleep?” asked John.
“Not really. In truth I was just thinking,” responded Maureen.
“About Dad?” asked John.
Maureen gave a sigh. “In a way, yes,” she replied
John gave his mother a puzzled look.
Maureen took her son’s hand and gave a slight squeeze. “John, there’s something I have to tell you. It isn’t easy and I really don’t know how you’re going to react,” she said.
John took his mother’s hand. “Look, Mum, after all we’ve been through I think you can trust me,” he said in an assuring tone.
Maureen nodded and then spoke. “What we have between us is very special and I love you very much. I wouldn’t nor do I want to change that. But…” Maureen paused.
“But?” prompted John.
Maureen sighed deeply. “You see, your father knew about us. Oh please, don’t be angry with me John. He wiggled it out of me and after recovering from the shock he made me swear not to tell you. I guess he was so sick that he didn’t object.” finished Maureen uneasily.
John stared at his mother for a few seconds.
The silence deafening for Maureen. “Well, say something, John. Don’t just stare at me,” demanded his mother.
What happened next took Maureen completely by surprise as her son exploded in uncontrollable laughter. She sat on the face blank faced as John continued to laugh loudly. “What did I say? What’s so funny, John?” she asked, not at all feeling amused.
“Oh, Mum, you have no idea, do you?” said John as his laughter slowly wore off.
“I don’t understand. Why are you laughing?” asked Maureen.
John took his mum’s hand and kissed it. “Oh, Mum. I’m afraid we’ve both been victims of Dad’s sense of humour,” he said as he finally brought his laughter under control.
“You’ve lost me,” responded Maureen, still puzzled by John’s reaction.
John took a deep breathe and turned to Maureen. “Mum, think back to the night you arrived at my door in panic. You thought someone was following, remember?” he said.
Maureen nodded. I’ll never forget it as long as I live,” responded Maureen.
“Well, the following day I visited Dad while you were shopping. I intended to give him a piece of my mind for putting you in danger but I found I just didn’t have the heart to do it. Instead, I made the same suggestion I made to you and like you he was shocked at the idea at first but warmed to it when I pointed out the advantages of your safety, security and privacy. He agreed to it on the proviso that I wouldn’t tell you either,” concluded John.
Maureen was stunned. “You mean your father played us off against each other?” she asked, still clearly shocked at this revelation.
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