Eventually, Husband-to-be and his mother, Inna, asked if I would be able to stay the night occasionally, just in case Husband-to-be wanted to go out. With my parents’ permission I agreed to do this.
On the first of these stayovers, I was uncertain as to my role because, even though I was now used to preparing breakfast, lunch, and getting dinner ready for Inna to cook, I had never stayed beyond 5pm. That’s when I usually hopped on my bicycle and rode home.
So the 5pm ritual was a bit of a shock to me because that was when Inna and her son (Husband-to-be), and various family and friends, all congregated in the back veranda for ‘drinks’ after the cows were milked. Inna would already have a teacup filled with whisky and soda (I was so naive at the time that I just thought drinking whisky and soda out of a teacup was normal). That first evening I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to do, so I served drinks, put the dinner in the Aga, unpacked my little bag in the spare room and said a little prayer.
In the middle of my little prayer of bewilderment, I heard Husband-to-be’s huge voice calling “JULES!” and, thinking it might be an emergency with Inna, I ventured out of the spare room into the kitchen, then out to the veranda which had become rather noisy with chatter and clinking and laughter. Inna saw me and waved her walking stick to the chair next to her, “Come and have a drink with us, Darling,” and Husband-to-be handed me a glass full of something frothy.
He didn’t end up going out that night, so I wasn’t quite sure why I was there in the first place until, in the middle of the night, Inna called me to her bedroom and told me to sleep on the floor next to her because she was nervous of the dark.
So I did what I was told.
jmgoyder 
ummmm… I don’t think I like where this is going.
What do you mean? You have me worried. It’s PG.
I’m afraid this girl is going to become a victim.
No way!
*whew*
Hm, I guess Rumpydog and I both have our minds in the gutter today. I thought that too, at first…
~ Lynda
I will need to be more careful about how I express things!
I can guarantee you it had nothing to do with how you expressed the events. 😉
Phew!
I’m beginning to get suspicious too…..
Of what?
On the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???? Like in the old days of slavery! Ooh! That doesn’t sound good. How are you going to get out of this one?
Don’t worry – it was just the once and she was scared.
This something frothy……..what was it?
It was either a pink gin or a cinzano and lemonade – not sure!
Love this story.
How thoughtful of you to keep Inna company and hopefully ease her fear of being in the dark.
This only happened once – not sure why. I guess I will have to write the next chapter to find out!
Oh, I would have asked Inna the gruff to let me sleep on something else than the floor. I hope your frothy drink was good, at least!
It only ever happened that once (the floor thing) – the next chapter will explain.
Interesting developments! Love following this! Can’t wait to hear the next installment.
I have nominated you for Best Follower Award!
Thank you!!!!!
What was the frothy drink?
I don’t remember! Pink gin I think!
Dear Julie I read the next part at first so I can understand almost… Seems that Inna loved you as your daughter… My mother-in-law was like that too… How nice… Thank you, with my love, nia
Sorry for the confusion – lucky I am numbering the chapters of this crazy story – ha!
No I am happy for this and I didn’t confuse I think:.. 🙂
I’m the one confused – haha!
I like Inna already. I need a Love Story category so I can catch up!
I know – and you need an eagle category!!
Ha! I gave the eagle a category a few days ago. He’s here stay. LOL
A bit of intrigue… Can’t wait to read what happens next!
ha!
I really got a clear visual of Inna, as you wrote: “Inna saw me and waved her walking stick to the chair next to her, “Come and have a drink with us, Darling…” Your uncertainty oozed through in this post. I liked it!
Yes, at the time it was all a bit surreal!
So poignant and beautifully written. We can see the scenes you set.
Bella and DiDi
Thanks sweet woofers!
🙂
Julie, my mind was clean concerning your story. 🙂 The nerve of people thinking ghastly thoughts!!! hahahahahaha! But, really, you left us hanging. Sign of a good story.
It must have seemed like I was going to turn into their slave – hahahaha!
Who slept on the floor next to her every other night?! Wily old Inna – perhaps she was concerned HTB would keep you up drinking all night.
And I was thinking she did it for you not to be scared – your first night there and all. Hmmm… Guess I have to read the next chapter and find out!