Fathers and Sons! I. P.

Fathers and Sons! I.P.

‘Oh, not another one’ I said to James, my son, as he and his mates were struggling to get it through the front door. I couldn't believe my eyes he was only bringing in another one and he and his four friends were nearly putting their backs out to get it in the house.

‘Where are you going to put this one?’ I said, not unreasonably.

‘With the others of course.’

‘Son,’ I said ‘There’s no room in there.’ Why can’t he be like other people and collect stamps or something I thought to myself? Anything, providing whatever he chose didn’t take up so much room. Why does he have to collect these blooming great monstrosities?

‘I’ve measured and I can still get another two in there after this one.’

‘Then what will you do? Where will you put any more if you intend to carry on collecting them?’

‘I don’t know yet but I’ll figure something out.’

I went back to the kitchen I couldn’t bear to see my paintwork in the hallway being chipped and marked and the wallpaper torn. It had only just been redecorated too. Anyway I was baking and I could smell that lovely warm bread aroma permeating the whole house so I was happy to go back to what I considered to be my refuge. I was making pies and cakes to put in the freezer ready for his birthday next week and besides Charles would be home soon.

I just hoped James had put it back in the barn and hadn’t scratched it. It always amazed me how James managed to add to his collection without getting a mark on it but he knew it was his father’s pride and joy so I suppose he was extra careful not to damage it. Charles had not had it long and he kept it clean and shiny and God help anyone that got it dirty or marked it. Charles had bought it because the old one was getting unreliable and James didn’t like using it when he wanted to transport a new piece to his collection. So, his father had indulged the boy and went and bought this new one and although, on occasions, he could be quite strict where James was concerned he more or less gave him free rein. Well, he was his only son. Five daughters and then a son! Even after all this time I can still remember Charles’ face when the nurse said, ‘It’s a boy!’ To say he was overjoyed doesn’t come anywhere near it.

Consequently, ever since the day he was born the boy had wanted for nothing. His father wouldn’t let the wind blow too hard on his son’s face or let the rain drip on his back. He loved him. He protected him. In truth, he spoilt him rotten…not that he wasn’t good to the girls too. He was a good father and for that matter a good husband. He worked hard to keep food on the table because farming isn’t what it once was but it was in his blood. His father had farmed here and his father before him and his father before him so generations had worked this land.

Anyway, Charles would be home soon so I thought I had better go and check James had put it back in the barn and that there were no marks on it. Charles, as I said, could on occasions be strict and this would be one such occasion. Well, it had cost thousands of pounds and buying it had meant that for the last two years we hadn’t been able to go on our usual holiday, a six week cruise of the Caribbean so we had both made sacrifices.

Still, if it gave pleasure to our son by enabling him to get another piece for his collection then we didn’t begrudge him. He was a good boy. Not like some of our friends’ boys. Some of them, right little horrors they had turned into. Joy riding, drugs, all sorts and all of them from respectable families like ours and privately educated too.

I went to the barn and sure enough James, good lad, had put it back and had even put the dust sheet on. I lifted it to make sure there were no scuff marks or anything on the paintwork but unlike my hallway there wasn’t a mark on it. Satisfied, I went back to the house but before going to the kitchen I looked in to see James’ new addition to his collection.

‘James I don’t think you will get two more in here,’ I said.

‘I told you Mums I’ve measured and I will just get two more then after that I admit I will have a problem.’

‘Couldn’t you try collecting something smaller?’ I said.

‘No, Mums, these are what I like.’

‘Well, I can’t see the attraction,’ I said.

‘Mums,’ that’s what he calls me, God love him, ‘I never expected them to appeal to a woman but I bet a lot of men would like to collect them. Still, you’ll be pleased to know the girls agree with you because they also think they are too big to collect but Dad can see the attraction.’

‘Yes, but your father never disagrees with anything you decide to do even when it involves his pride and joy.’

‘I know and that is why I always look after it when I use it. It’s only fair after all and I know it cost a lot of money. Still, at some point, I might be in a position to pay him back.’

‘I don’t know where you would get the money to do that?’

‘One day my collection might be worth a lot of money, Mums, then, you will be so proud of me.’

‘James, money isn’t everything and you don’t need to worry about us being proud of you. We have always been proud of you. Other families have had trouble brought to their door but not us, not with you. You are already a son to be proud of. It’s just that your collection takes up so much room.’

‘Chrissie, where are you?’ I heard Charles call from the back kitchen.’

‘Coming, dear,’ I shouted back, wiping my floury hands on my apron as I made to go back to the kitchen.

Charles looked tired when I caught sight of him sitting on the Monks bench in the boot room taking off his muddy boots.

‘What’s for dinner, Chrissie?’ He said, ‘I’m starving.’

‘Chicken casserole,’ I said.

His face lit up as if he’d just checked his lottery ticket and found he was a winner! And not a ten pound one at that!

‘Cobblers?’

‘Of course…would I make chicken casserole without adding cobblers?’

‘Oh, you’re too good for this place, love!’ He smiled. ‘Now, where’s my boy? Is he home yet?’

‘Yes, dear.’

‘He told me this morning he was going to get another one and I said I don’t think your mother will be best pleased. I hope he’s put my new toy back in the barn unscratched and unscathed.’

‘Yes, he has but Charles, I wish you had told me. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him and his mates bringing another one through the front door and it’s ruined the paintwork in the hallway and we’ve only just had it redecorated.’

‘Don’t fret yourself; we’ll soon get the hall sorted. Has he put it in with the others?’

‘Yes, Charles, they’re all in there.’

‘I’ll just go and take a peek then.’

He looked as if he had backache as he walked down the hall to where James had his collection then I heard James say,

‘Hello Dad, what do you think? They look good don’t they?’

‘Aye, they do that, lad. Mother tells me you’ve put the JCB back in the barn unscathed.’

‘Yes, Dad, you know I always look after it.’

‘I know you do, son, and I must say they look lovely the way you’ve got them arranged in here. Is this the new one?’

‘Yeah, nice eh Dad? I’ve always wanted an HSBC one but could never find one in the right location.’

End