In Focus (2009) by Anna Jacobs Page A

fair hair, long and tied back. Her clothes were clean but worn, and surely she was taller?
    She stopped in front of Beth, who ached to touch her but didn’t dare. She was terrified if she did, Jo might pull back, walk away even. ‘I’ve wondered so often what you looked like now,’ she managed.
    Jo grimaced. ‘Older.’
    ‘And not so—’ She hesitated, not wishing to offend.
    ‘Not so out to shock people with what I wear. I’ve grown up a lot, Mum.’
    ‘Shall we go and have a coffee? There’s a café quite close. Um – my treat.’
    ‘Yes, all right. That’d be nice.’
    ‘It’s this way.’ Beth turned and began to walk. ‘Goodness, you’re taller than me now.’
    ‘I take after Dad’s side of the family there. How is he?’
    ‘All right, I think. I’ve not heard from him for a while. Do you – keep in touch with him at all?’
    ‘No. I don’t suppose he misses me.’
    ‘He does. He emails every now and then, mentions you, wonders how you are.’
    ‘Does he really?’
    ‘He has the same email address.’
    Jo didn’t say anything, so it was fortunate they arrived at the café. Beth led the way into a corner where they’d be fairly private. ‘Would you like something to eat as well?’
    ‘No. Thanks. Just a long flat white, please.’
    The silence went on, then in desperation Beth blurted out the truth. ‘I don’t know what to say. I’m terrified of driving you away again.’ Her hands were shaking and she put them into her lap to try and hide that.
    ‘You didn’t drive me away before. I ran. I was out of control in those days – out of touch with reality, full of raging hormones. Oh, Mum, don’t cry!’ Jo reached out and patted Beth’s hand, then pulled back quickly.
    ‘I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but I’m so glad to see you. You’ll understand when you have children.’ She made a huge effort, mopped her eyes and blew her nose. ‘You – um, look well. Tell me about your life.’
    Jo stared down at the table, drawing lines along the grain of the wood and back with one fingertip.
    Beth kept silent, afraid of preventing a confidence by saying the wrong thing.
    ‘I understand now how you must have felt when I ran away,’ Jo said at last. ‘You see – I’ve got a son.’
    ‘ A son? I’m a grandmother?’ The room seemed to whirl round Beth and other people’s voices echoed as if at the other end of a long tunnel.
    ‘Are you all right? Mum? Say something.’
    ‘I was – surprised. I never expected. Oh, how wonderful!’ She reached out for her daughter’s hand. ‘Can I meet him? What’s he called? How old is he?’
    ‘Calm down. I’ll tell you everything.’ But she was smiling.
    Beth put one hand to her forehead. ‘Sorry. I feel a bit dizzy. I don’t think I ate any lunch.’
    Jo looked at her in concern. ‘You’re as white as a sheet and I’m sure you weren’t this thin before.’
    ‘I don’t seem to get very hungry these days.’
    Jo laughed suddenly. ‘It’s usually mothers who have to nag their daughters to eat. Looks like I’m the odd one out, as usual. Let’s get a piece of cake each, eh? And if you promise to eat all yours up, I’ll tell you about Mikey.’
    ‘Mikey.’
    ‘Short for Michael. I called him after Grandpop.’
    Beth nodded. Mikey. She had a grandson called Mikey. ‘You choose what to eat, but it’s still my treat.’
    Jo got up and went to the display of cakes, pointing to two and coming back just as their coffees arrived. The cakes were brought over soon after, huge pieces.
    Beth stared at hers, feeling sick at the mere thought of eating.
    ‘Geez, Mum, are you anorexic or something? You’re looking at that lovely torte as if it’s poisoned. Eat it, already!’
    Beth picked up the fork and forced a mouthful down, then another, aware of her daughter watching her. Halfway through, she laid the fork on the plate and pushed it away. ‘I can’t eat any more.’ When she looked at Jo’s plate it was nearly empty. ‘Do you