It was my mother who spoke first. “That is a beautiful ring, Suzanne. Congratulations to both of you.” Her voice sounded strained and unusually controlled. “It is such a surprise. I never knew how you felt about each other. Having said that, I do hope that both of you have a great future, together.”
Dad mumbled something in agreement, but it was obvious that he was not entirely happy with our revelation.
In an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, I asked, “What goodies have you brought for us, mum?”
She laughed, saying, “I would have brought more if I had known that you were not eating on your own. We’ have brought a couple of steak and kidney pies, an apple pie and a date and walnut cake. I really do wish that I had brought more.”
“Don’t worry about us, mum. What you have brought will go a long way between Suzanne and I, won’t it, love?”
She responded with enthusiasm. “We are both very grateful and I know that we will enjoy the things you have brought, Mrs. Buckingham.”
“Oh, you are both very welcome. I don’t mind baking for the two of you and, please Suzanne, drop the formalities and call me either Lynne or mum.”
My father, seeing how Mum had warmed so noticeably to my future wife, added. “Welcome to our family, Suzanne. I’ve never seen Tonie look so happy, so we are really pleased with the news of your engagement. I can’t wait to let Hannah know.”
With this warm greeting of our news, we all stood and had a collective hug, Suzanne’s hand guiding me to avoid looking clumsy.
We were brought down to earth when Mum said, “I expect that your parents are equally happy with your fantastic news!”
Suzanne, rather sheepishly, admitted, “My parents don’t actually know, yet. They are aware that I’ve been working with Tonie for the past two years, but they do not know how close we really are.”
My parents, if they were surprised by Suzanne’s words, did not say anything to show their feelings. ”I’m certain that they will be delighted, as we are”, my father said.
I wish that I could have shared their optimism. For Suzanne’s mother to call her a “slut” after staying the night, she, obviously, would not think much of the idea of us being “Shacked up” together.
For the next half-hour, we talked happily. I had always been very close to my parents and, now, the prospect of having a daughter-in-law really seemed to excite and appeal to both of them.
After they had left, I asked, “What do you think of Mum and dad? Do you think that they were genuinely happy about us?”
“Oh, definitely yes! Your Mum and Dad are really lovely and I feel that they are genuinely happy about us getting engaged. Your Dad didn’t seem very sure at first, but, once your Mum had accepted us, he seemed to warm to the idea. I like them both and I can see features of both of them in you.”
“Good. I really hoped that you would like them.” I pulled Suzanne close and whispered, “How do you feel, now? Do you like the idea of being Mrs. Suzanne Buckingham instead of Miss Clover?”
“Oh, yes. I am still up high on cloud nine. My only real worry is my Mum and dad.”
“Do you feel up to phoning them to break the good news?”
Suzanne probably frowned and seemed a little uncertain. “I suppose that I will have to, at some stage. Better get it over and done with. I just wish that my parents were as good and accepting as yours.”
“They may yet surprise you.” She gave a short, derisory laugh at my optimism. “No time like the present. Do you want to speak to them, while I’m waiting in the other room?
“No, I want to be holding you close, when I’m speaking to them. You seem to give me an inner strength, hopefully enough to not buckle under their scepticism.”
How I wished that I could have seen Suzanne’s face while she was speaking to her mother. She wasted no time and said, “Hi, mum. I have something to tell you and dad. Tonie proposed to me and I was very happy to accept. He’s such a lovely person, mum. I’m certain that you will like him.”
Suzanne listened, for the next few minutes, not daring to interrupt her mother. I could hear the anguish in her voice as she disconnected the call. “Well, she knows now, but I find it hard to believe how cold Mum can be. She told me coldly, that our marriage would be difficult with me looking after you. She seems to think that you must be some sort of invalid, just because you can’t see.”
I held her close, her body trembling with the emotion created so unfairly by her mother. “It’s not surprising or untypical. So many people automatically treat a blind person as a cripple. Well, we will prove to them how wrong she is. I don’t smoke or take drugs, am more fit than many men of my age and we know that we can live together with equal love and care. Also, both of us have quite well-paid occupations, so money shouldn’t be a problem.” At that moment, I felt so sad for Suzanne, understanding what her parents’ lack of genuine approval really meant to her.
Hearing her gentle sobs, I hoped that I could distract her from her sadness. I asked, “Your surname is very unusual. I don’t think that I have ever heard of anybody else with that name.”
Thankfully, Suzanne quickly regained her usual composure and said, “It is quite an ancient name going back over eight hundred years. I believe there some quite distinguished people with the surname Clover. As in the four-leafed-clover, it generally symbolises good luck.”
I laughed. “Well, right now, I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
“My Dad always reminded me of a Joseph Thomas Clover, who was a pioneer and very important in the world of anaesthetics during the eighteen hundreds.” After a moment’s thought, she added, “Also, there was a Joshua clover who was a poet.”
“Very impressive. Do you have a middle name, Suzanne?”
“Mum and Dad gave me the name ‘Olivia’, because they were big fans of Olivia Newton John around the time of my birth. How about you?” I could imagine you having the middle name of, perhaps, Edward.”
Smiling, I said, “Sorry to disappoint you, but my middle name is James, but I don’t know if my parents had anybody in mind. I could claim that, for both my middle and surname, I am named after two famous London palaces.”
“I just realised what my married name would be. The name. Suzanne Buckingham sounds quite classy.”
After a moment’s thought, I said, “You could even keep your maiden name by calling yourself Suzanne Clover Buckingham. That double-barrelled name sounds even more classy and impressive.”
“Mmmm… I like the sound of that, Tonie.
Another thought suddenly crossed my mind and I began to chuckle.
“What are you thinking about, Tonie?”
“I’m not certain that I can tell you, Suzanne.”
I was still smiling as she said, “Come on, Tonie. I’ll just have to tickle you until you tell me.”
“Well, if you insist. You see, I have always wanted to have a luxurious life-style. You could say that I have always wanted to be ‘in clover’ and, now, I really and literally am in clover.”
There was a moment’s pause as she tried to understand my meaning. Then it suddenly clicked and she gave a little gasp. “Oh! Tonie Buckingham, you surprise me. I didn’t realise what a dirty mind you have!”
“Sorry, Suzanne.” I was still laughing and, soon, we were both laughing together, helplessly, while Suzanne enjoyed hitting me over the head with a cushion.
“If Ivanko behaves himself, tonight, you may even get a chance to be ‘in clover’ again.”
We decided to have some supper before going to bed. Both of us agreed that mum’s date and walnut cake was fantastic and perfect when washed down with a drink of coffee. Kelly took great interest in our cake, but had to accept that she was not allowed such delicacies. The Guide Dog Training Centre had quite strict rules, banning the sort of things which some pet dogs were normally allowed.