The historic streets of Carlisle are bathed in early evening sunshine. The sandstone buildings glow warmly in the light, and the city centre is moderately busy with shoppers making their way home and early diners heading to restaurants. Julia Troughton stands outside Marks & Spencer, checking her watch. She's wearing a dusty pink blouse and beige trousers, looking smart but comfortable. A few moments later, Kathy appears from around the corner, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a sleeveless denim dress with a belt. She waves enthusiastically when she spots Julia.
KATHY:
Julia! Sorry I'm a bit late! The bus from the university took forever. I swear the number seventeen gets slower every single day. I should have just walked, would have been quicker!
They embrace warmly, and Julia steps back to look at her properly.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Don't you worry about that, love. I've only been here a few minutes myself. And look at you! You look absolutely lovely. That dress is perfect on you. Very summery. Very... well, very you, if that makes any sense at all.
KATHY:
Thank you! I picked it up at a charity shop in Scarborough last time I visited my mum. Can you believe it? Three pounds! Three pounds for something that looks almost brand new. I couldn't resist it. Though Oliver said it makes me look like I'm about to audition for a Levi's advert, which I'm choosing to take as a compliment.
Julia laughs, linking her arm through Kathy's as they begin to walk along the pedestrianized street.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
That sounds exactly like something Oliver would say. He's got his father's sense of humor, that one. Sometimes I'm not sure if it's charming or infuriating, but I suppose that's part of his appeal. Now then, I thought we could have a proper chat, just us girls, before we head back to Masefield Avenue for dinner. Get to know each other a bit better without all the chaos of the family around us.
KATHY:
I'd love that. Honestly, I've been a bit nervous about meeting everyone properly. Oliver's told me so much about all of you, and I want to make a good impression. I know how important family is to him, even when he pretends it isn't. He acts all tough and independent, but I can see right through it.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
You've already made a good impression on me, and I can promise you that's half the battle. Oliver's father, Luther, well... he can be a bit difficult at times. But don't let him intimidate you. He's all bark and very little bite. He just takes a while to warm up to new people. It's not personal, it's just his way. We've been in Carlisle since 1970, the whole family, and sometimes I think Luther's become a bit too set in his ways after all these years.
They pause at a shop window displaying summer fashions. Kathy looks at the display but seems more interested in the conversation than the clothes.
KATHY:
Oliver mentioned that Luther can be a bit... protective? Is that the right word? He said that his dad has never really approved of any of his girlfriends before. Which is a bit daunting, to be honest. I mean, what if he doesn't like me? What if he thinks I'm not good enough for Oliver?
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Oh, sweetheart, don't think like that. Luther's problem isn't with you specifically. His problem is that he has very fixed ideas about what Oliver should be doing with his life, and those ideas don't always match up with what Oliver actually wants. But you know what? Oliver seems happier than I've seen him in years. Whatever you're doing, it's working. And that's what matters to me.
They continue walking, passing the old town hall with its distinctive clock tower.
KATHY:
That's really lovely to hear. Thank you. Oliver told me about what happened with Maxine, about how he messed that up. He was very honest about it, actually. He said he wanted me to know the worst of him before I got too invested. I appreciated that honesty, even though it was difficult to hear some of it.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
He told you about Maxine? The whole thing?
KATHY:
The whole thing. About how he cheated on her with her cousin. About how he destroyed the relationship through his own selfishness and stupidity—his words, not mine. He said it was the worst thing he'd ever done, and that he'd spent months hating himself for it. But he also said that it taught him what he didn't want to be anymore.
Julia stops walking and turns to face Kathy directly, her expression serious but kind.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
And you forgave him for that? Even knowing what he'd done?
KATHY:
I didn't have to forgive him, Julia. It wasn't done to me. But I appreciated his honesty, and I could see that he genuinely regretted it. We all make mistakes, don't we? The measure of a person isn't whether they've done wrong, it's whether they learn from it and try to be better. And Oliver is trying. He's really trying.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
You're a very wise young woman, Kathy. Much wiser than I was at your... well, much wiser than I was when I was starting out. Oliver's lucky to have you. I hope he knows that.
KATHY:
Oh, I make sure he knows it! I remind him every single day, usually when he's done something daft. Which is fairly often, to be honest. But that's part of his charm, isn't it? The fact that he's a bit hopeless sometimes but he means well.
They resume walking, heading toward the cathedral, which looms impressively in the distance.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Tell me about yourself, Kathy. Oliver's mentioned you're from Scarborough originally? That must be quite different from Carlisle. The seaside versus... well, versus here.
KATHY:
Oh, it is different! I mean, I love Scarborough. It's my home, it's where I grew up, it's where my mum still lives. But it's quite touristy, especially in summer. You can't move for day-trippers and holidaymakers. Carlisle feels more... real? Does that make sense? It feels like a proper city where people actually live and work, not just somewhere people visit for fish and chips and a donkey ride on the beach.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
I've never been to Scarborough, can you believe that? Twenty-five years in Carlisle and I've barely ventured beyond Cumbria. We used to talk about taking trips, seeing more of the country, but running the pub takes up so much time. There's always something that needs doing, always some crisis or another. The Royal Oak is a demanding mistress, as Barney likes to say.
KATHY:
You run a pub? Oliver mentioned it but didn't give me many details. What's it like? I've never known anyone who actually owns a pub before. It sounds quite glamorous in a way, though I imagine the reality is less glamorous and more hard work.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Hard work is exactly right. The Royal Oak has been in the family for years, and it's a proper traditional pub. We've got our regulars who come in every night without fail, we've got the darts team on Tuesdays, the dominoes club on Thursdays. It's the heart of the community in many ways. But it means long hours, late nights, dealing with drunk people, cleaning up messes you wouldn't believe. Still, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's ours, you know? It's something we've built together as a family.
KATHY:
That sounds wonderful, actually. Being part of something like that. Having roots somewhere. I've always been a bit... transient, I suppose. Moving around for university, never really settling anywhere. I envy that sense of belonging you must have.
They turn down a quieter side street, walking past small independent shops and cafes.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
So tell me, what are your dreams, Kathy? What do you want to do with your life? Oliver mentioned you're studying to be a teacher?
KATHY:
Yes! Primary education. I want to work with young children, help them discover the joy of learning. I know that sounds terribly idealistic and naive, but I genuinely believe that good teachers can change lives. I had a teacher when I was seven, Mrs. Patterson, who made me feel like I could do anything. She encouraged me to read, to ask questions, to be curious about the world. I want to be that person for other children.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
That's not naive at all. That's beautiful. The world needs more teachers like that, teachers who actually care about the children rather than just going through the motions. What made you want to go into teaching specifically?
KATHY:
I think it was always there, really. Even as a child, I used to line up my stuffed animals and pretend to teach them. I'd make little lesson plans and everything. My mum still has some of them somewhere, I think. She threatens to show them to people when she wants to embarrass me. But it wasn't until I was doing my A-levels that I realized it was what I actually wanted to do with my life. I did some volunteering at a local primary school, and I just knew. It felt right. It felt like coming home, in a way.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
And how does Oliver fit into these dreams of yours? I'm not trying to pry, I promise. I'm just... well, I'm his mother. I want to know that he's not holding you back or making things difficult for you.
KATHY smiles, and there's genuine warmth in her expression.
KATHY:
Oliver doesn't hold me back at all. If anything, he encourages me. He helps me with my coursework sometimes, gives me a different perspective on things. We have this arrangement where I help him with his image—make him seem a bit more respectable and mature—and he helps me by challenging my ideas and making sure I'm really thinking things through. It works well for both of us.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
He mentioned something about that. A "gentleman's agreement" he called it. Though knowing Oliver, I suspect he gets the better end of that deal. You make him look good just by being associated with him.
KATHY:
Oh, I don't know about that! He's got plenty of good qualities of his own. He's kind, when he lets himself be. He's funny, even when he's trying not to be. He's loyal to the people he cares about. And he's surprisingly thoughtful, in his own way. He remembers little things I've mentioned in passing, and then weeks later he'll bring them up or do something related to them. It's quite sweet, really.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
You make him sound like a completely different person to the Oliver I know. My Oliver is messy, forgetful, occasionally self-centered, and has a talent for saying exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time.
KATHY:
Oh, he's all of those things too! Don't get me wrong, he's far from perfect. He leaves wet towels on the bathroom floor, he forgets to call when he says he will, he can be incredibly stubborn when he thinks he's right about something. And don't even get me started on his obsession with Wimbledon FC. Do you know he made me sit through an entire match last week? Ninety minutes of my life I'll never get back!
Julia laughs, and it's a genuine, delighted sound.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Oh, the Wimbledon thing! Yes, I should have warned you about that. He's been devoted to them since he was a boy. I've never understood it, to be honest. Why Wimbledon of all teams? We're in Carlisle! Carlisle United is right here, you'd think he'd try and support another, but that's Oliver for you.
KATHY:
He explained it to me once. Something about them being the underdog, about them punching above their weight, about them representing the spirit of defying expectations. I think he identifies with that, somehow. The idea that you can come from nothing and still achieve something significant. It was actually quite endearing, the way he talked about it. His whole face lit up.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
That's exactly it. That's exactly why he loves them. I'd never thought about it like that before, but you're absolutely right. He sees himself in them, doesn't he? The underdog trying to prove everyone wrong.
They've reached the cathedral green now, and they pause to admire the impressive medieval architecture.
KATHY:
It's funny, the things you learn about someone when you really pay attention. Oliver has all these little quirks and habits that are maddening and loveable in equal measure. Like the way he insists on reading the sports pages before anything else in the newspaper, even if there's major news on the front page. Or the way he drinks his tea—far too much milk and sugar, but he gets genuinely offended if you point it out.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
He gets that from his father. Luther takes his tea exactly the same way. Practically pudding, it is. I've told him for years that it's not good for him, all that sugar, but he won't listen.
KATHY:
Oliver won't listen either. I tried making him tea with less sugar once, and he looked at me like I'd personally betrayed him. He actually said, "This is not tea, this is disappointment in a mug." I had to remake it properly just to stop him sulking.
They both laugh, and there's an easy camaraderie building between them.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
I can see why he likes you, Kathy. You don't let him get away with his nonsense, but you clearly care about him. That's what he needs. Someone who sees past all the bravado and attitude to the insecure boy underneath.
KATHY:
He is insecure, isn't he? He hides it well, but I can see it sometimes. The way he second-guesses himself, the way he worries about what people think of him. Especially what Luther thinks of him, if I'm honest. He tries to act like he doesn't care what his dad thinks, but he does. He cares desperately.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
That's perceptive of you. Luther and Oliver have a... complicated relationship. They're too similar in some ways and too different in others. Luther wants Oliver to be more like Andrew, and Oliver resents that. But underneath it all, they do love each other. They just have trouble showing it.
KATHY:
Oliver's told me a bit about that. About feeling like the disappointment son, the one who can never quite measure up. It makes me sad, actually. Because from where I'm standing, Oliver is brilliant. He's flawed, yes, but he's also genuine and caring and trying so hard to be better than he was.
Julia reaches out and squeezes Kathy's hand.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
You're good for him, Kathy. Really good for him. I hope you know that.
KATHY:
And he's good for me too. He makes me laugh, he challenges me to be less serious sometimes, he reminds me that life isn't all about planning and studying and preparing for the future. Sometimes you just need to live in the moment and enjoy what's in front of you.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
That's definitely an Oliver quality. He's never been much of a planner. Drives me mad sometimes, but there's something to be said for spontaneity. Now then, I don't know about you, but I'm starting to feel peckish. There's a lovely little cafe just around the corner that does the most incredible sticky toffee pudding. Would you like to stop in for a bit before we head back to Masefield Avenue?
KATHY:
Sticky toffee pudding? Oh my goodness, yes! I absolutely love sticky toffee pudding! It's my favorite dessert in the entire world. My mum used to make it for special occasions when I was growing up, and it was always such a treat.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Mine too! I'm absolutely addicted to it. Barney says I'm going to turn into a sticky toffee pudding one day if I'm not careful. But what a way to go, I say!
They walk together toward the cafe, their conversation flowing easily.
KATHY:
This is really nice, Julia. Getting to know you like this, away from everyone else. I was worried you might be... well, I don't know what I was worried about, actually. But you've been so warm and welcoming. It means a lot to me.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
You're part of Oliver's life, which means you're part of our lives. And from what I've seen and heard today, you're exactly the kind of person we want to be part of our family. Someone genuine, kind, and able to keep Oliver in line!
They enter the cafe, a cozy establishment with lace curtains and mismatched vintage furniture. The smell of coffee and baked goods fills the air. They find a corner table and settle in, picking up menus.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Right then. Two sticky toffee puddings, I think. And tea. Can't have pudding without tea.
KATHY:
Perfect. Though I should warn you, I'm very particular about my sticky toffee pudding. It has to be properly moist, not dry. The toffee sauce has to be generous. And it absolutely must be served warm.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Oh, you're singing my song, love. The pudding here meets all those criteria and then some. I've been coming here for years, and they've never once disappointed me. The owner, Margaret, has a secret recipe that she guards like the crown jewels.
A waitress approaches, and Julia orders for both of them. Once the waitress leaves, they settle back into conversation.
KATHY:
Can I ask you something, Julia? And please be honest with me.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Of course, love. Ask away.
KATHY:
Do you think Luther will ever accept me? Or am I fighting a losing battle there?
Julia considers the question carefully before responding.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Luther is... Luther is a man who takes time to change his opinions. But I've seen him come around before, when presented with evidence that his initial judgment was wrong. If you just keep being yourself—kind, intelligent, genuine—he'll see what I see. What Oliver sees. It might not happen overnight, but it will happen. And in the meantime, you've got me in your corner. That counts for something.
KATHY:
Thank you. That does make me feel better. I just want this dinner tonight to go well. I want to make a good impression on everyone.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
It will go well. I'll make sure of it. And if Luther starts being difficult, I'll kick him under the table. I've been doing it for years. He's learned to interpret the kicks. One kick means "be nice," two kicks means "shut up," and three kicks means "you're sleeping on the sofa tonight."
Kathy laughs so hard she has to cover her mouth.
KATHY:
I'm learning so much! Marriage secrets from the Troughton family!
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Twenty-five years in Carlisle, most of them with Luther. You learn a few tricks along the way. The key is to never let him think he's won an argument, even when he has. And always, always have the last word. Even if that word is just "fine" said in a very particular tone.
The waitress returns with their puddings, and both women's eyes light up at the sight. The sticky toffee puddings are generous portions, swimming in golden toffee sauce, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream slowly melting on top.
KATHY:
Oh my word. Look at that. That is a thing of beauty.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
I told you Margaret doesn't mess about. This is the real deal. Now, dig in before it gets cold. Though I'm not sure sticky toffee pudding can ever truly get cold. It seems to generate its own heat somehow.
They both take their first bites, and there's a moment of shared, blissful silence.
KATHY:
This is incredible. This might be the best sticky toffee pudding I've ever had. And I've had a lot of sticky toffee pudding in my time.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
I knew you'd appreciate it. There's something about finding someone who understands the importance of a good pudding. It's one of life's simple pleasures, isn't it? Especially on a nice June evening like this.
They eat in companionable silence for a few moments, savoring each bite.
KATHY:
You know, this reminds me of having pudding with my mum back in Scarborough. She'd make a batch of sticky toffee pudding and we'd sit at the kitchen table, just the two of us, and talk about everything and nothing. Some of my best memories are from those moments.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
That sounds lovely. Do you miss her? Your mum?
KATHY:
Every day. But I talk to her on the phone regularly, and I visit when I can. She understands that I need to be here for my degree, for my future. She's been incredibly supportive. Though she does keep asking when she's going to meet Oliver. I've been putting it off because I'm terrified about how that will go!
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Well, when you do decide to introduce them, let me give you some advice. Warn Oliver beforehand to be on his absolute best behavior. Tell him his future depends on it. That usually works. Men respond well to dramatic ultimatums.
KATHY:
I'll keep that in mind! Though I think Oliver might actually be more nervous about meeting my mum than I am about meeting your family. He keeps asking me what she likes, what she doesn't like, what he should wear, what he should talk about. It's quite endearing, really.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
That's because he knows this one matters. This relationship matters to him in a way the others didn't. I can see it in the way he talks about you, the way his whole demeanor changes when your name comes up. You've gotten under his skin in the best possible way.
They finish their puddings, both sighing contentedly.
KATHY:
That was exactly what I needed. Thank you for suggesting this, Julia. For all of this, really. This whole afternoon has been wonderful.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
We should make it a regular thing. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bonding time. Though I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself there!
KATHY:
Not necessarily getting ahead of yourself. Oliver and I have talked about the future. Not in concrete terms, but... we've talked about it. About what we both want, where we see ourselves going.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
And does that future include Oliver?
KATHY:
I think it might. It's early days still, I know. But yes, I think it might. He makes me happy, Julia. Despite all his flaws and quirks and his terrible taste in football teams, he makes me genuinely happy.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Then that's all that matters, love. That's all that ever matters in the end.
Julia signals for the bill, and they prepare to leave.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
Right then. Time to head back to Masefield Avenue. Time to face the chaos that is a Troughton family dinner. Are you ready?
KATHY:
As ready as I'll ever be. Though I have to admit, after spending this time with you, I'm feeling much more confident. Thank you for that. For making me feel welcome.
JULIA TROUGHTON:
You are welcome, Kathy. Truly welcome. Now come on, let's get moving. If we're late, Luther will eat all the good bread and we'll be left with the crusty ends that nobody wants.
They leave the cafe together, arms linked, walking back through the Carlisle streets toward Masefield Avenue, their conversation continuing to flow easily as they make their way home.