Amy,

Well, I’m still alive. Sorry it’s been awhile. Mrs. Tinsley—or rather, Maude, has come and gone. Simon and his dad, thank God, were out at a cricket match and missed her first onslaught. She showed up having had more than a few glasses of wine, with her Italian lover Luigi in tow. He slunk off back to the pub and left us to get acquainted. She’s really quite entertaining if you check your ego at the door. Found out more about Luigi (and Simon) than I really cared to know. Not to mention the shortcomings of his dad. Anyway, it seems that she likes me, so according to Simon, my life should be easier now than it would have been otherwise.

She left (she insisted on staying in the village, since they didn’t get a "proper invite’) before the cricketing party returned. I should have told them she was here but I chickened out. Thought I’d have a chance in the morning, when Simon had sobered up from his post-match celebrating and I’d had some time to think about how to put it. But, next morning Maude arrived for breakfast. After a somewhat rocky start—I believe Simon said something welcoming like "What the hell are you doing here?" and Mr. Tinsley rushed upstairs, packed his bags, and went to stay for a few days at a hotel out of town (he passed on the bill, of course!)—things improved. She spent the day with us, which gave Simon a chance to calm down before we were alone again, and Luigi joined us for a rather decadent dinner.

In the end, they stayed for about a week. Things went relatively well. She and Simon were still on speaking terms when she left (hard to say with Luigi, since his English is dreadful and Simon’s Italian is non-existent). Things got a bit tense when she announced that there was the cutest little cottage in the village that she just had to have so she could visit us whenever she wanted. Simon, rather ungraciously, pointed out that she could never afford it, and I added that of course she was always welcome to stay with us. I’m not sure which proposition he thought was worse. After that I kept my mouth shut.

I think Simon was half afraid I wouldn’t marry him after meeting her. He makes a lot more sense to me now.  I thought I knew him really well, but now I really do understand him better. Growing up with a mother like that would make anyone secretive and a little insensitive at times.

Well, at least the wedding will be easier. Hope all is well with you, James and Mande.

Love,
Ann

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