A mobile phone bursts into life with a familiar tune. “Hello Dad, how are you?”
“Oh, hi, Polly, it always scares me when you answer like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you know who's calling before they speak.”
“It's not magic Dad, your name appears in the crystal display.”
“The what?”
“On the phone. Your name comes up on the phone as it rings, it's a normal feature on mobile phones. Are you OK? Haven't heard from you for a while. Everything OK at the office?”
“Well, er, no, not really, that's why I'm calling.”
“Oh dear, this doesn't sound good. Should I sit down?”
“Er, it's been a difficult couple of weeks and now we've just lost the Williams contract, I've had to close the assembly section and lay several staff off. The orders have dried up. I've never seen anything quite like it and it's getting worse by the day. I'm trying to hold the company together but........!”
“How will it affect us? I mean the family, will it make a change to our way of life? Or is it just a blip, something that will bounce back in a week or two?”
“Who knows what the next few weeks or months will bring. I'm having to make some serious cuts, with immediate effect; our whole finance structure is in a downturn. I've been to the bank, cap in hand, several times. I think my popularity is wearing thin. If I can put a stop on spending, I might just be able to stay afloat and avoid the company going under. I'm struggling Polly, I don't know what comes next.”
“Can I help? Work a Saturday or a couple of evenings or something?”
“I'm hoping for more than that, Polly.”
There is a long pause.
“I've got an awful feeling that this is going to hurt. Go on Dad, let rip, out with it, what's on your mind?”
“I'm afraid you'll have to give up the flat, Polly.”
“The flat? My Saturday job pays for the flat and all the bills!”
“And the Mini.....and the allowance.....and I'm afraid, the college course will have to go too!”
“Blimey Dad, am I out on the street or do I have to move back into my old room and get a job at Tesco’s and walk to work?”
“Erm, I'm sorry Polly, your Gran has moved into your old room and I've let the granny annex to a couple who've just had their house repossessed. Things are bad Polly, everyone's having a hard time. You can have the summerhouse. I know it’s a bit basic I know but it's all that's left. These are tough times.”
“Well, things aren't going all that well here either Dad.”
“Why, what's up?”
“Erm, I was going to come round on Sunday and, erm, kinda break it nice and gently.”
A pause.
“Is there something I'm missing here? Has something happened that I've not been told about?”
“It's sort of difficult Dad, a bit delicate. Not the sort of thing to be discussed over the phone.”
“Come on.......out with it. We're not prissy school girls. I hear all sorts of thing, every day and I'm sure that you do too!”
Another pause.
“Well, I've been seeing this guy. It’s a bit complicated. He's a bit older than me but he's very sweet, very gentle. He's -”
“Older, how much older? What sort of guy? Who is he? How long has this been going on?”
“Now, Dad, just keep calm. Don't go getting your -”
“What were you going to tell us on Sunday, Polly? What's so secretive or fishy that you have to come home to make an announcement? What are you holding back? What's the issue here?”
“Dad, you're running away with yourself. But now that you've worked yourself into a tizz, I'd best tell you what it's all about. You see, erm, well, erm, you might be a granddad by next summer. There, I've said it, it's out in the open!”
“What? You're pregnant and to an older man? Oh Polly! Your Mum will go crazy. You know what plans she's always had for a big wedding for you! What sort of guy is this?”
“Well, he's married with kids, but they're about to split up.”
“Oh my God.”
“I know it sounds bad, but he's waiting to go to court....”
“Oh Polly - ”
“He borrowed his mate’s car, but it was nicked and the coppers stopped him on the M27.”
“Oh, it just gets worse.”
“He's got a suspended sentence and he might go to jail.”
“This is just wonderful. Your mum will freak out.”
“We can't get a bigger flat 'cos he's got a bad credit rating and his credit cards have been cancelled.”
“Anything else? Should I brace myself or is there any good news?”
“I wondered if you could lend us five grand until he gets on his feet. We'll pay you back after we get back from the Caribbean.”
“Caribbean?”
“Oh, we thought we would have a couple of weeks in the Caribbean if we could get the dosh. Do you feel generous?”
“Oh Polly, what have you done? Are you going to throw away all the hard work you've done on education and your course to go with this clown, this loser?”
“But I love him Dad, I just want to be with him all the time. Please try to understand and be nice to him. And try not to make it sound so bad for Mum.”
A pause.
“I just can't get my head around all this. Yesterday, you were a happy go lucky teenage student, today you're skirting at the edge of disaster, prepared to throw everything away on some whim, I just don't see -”
“I know, Dad, and it wouldn't be so bad if things at the company and things at home wasn't in such a bad state, Dad.”
“The company? Oh, I made all that up for a wind-up. The company's a strong as ever, I was just having a laugh with you.”
“I know, I was speaking with Julie the receptionist yesterday and she told me she was fed up with all the overtime and new orders coming in. I spoke to Gran too and she told me that she's having the annex redecorated.”
“Well, you little vixen.”
“And there is no married boyfriend, pregnancy or anything else. I just made all that up to show you that you're not the only one who can tell whoppers and do wind-ups.”
“Oh, it's all a bit of a pity really, I was rather getting to like the idea of being a granddad by next summer!”