Mavis Cheek's next-door neighbour is hanging out her washing. Her married, now divorced, 38 year-old son has come home and is showing no sign of ever leaving. But what would have happened if, when he'd pitched up on her doorstep his mother had been off to her hang-glinding classes and asked him to book into a hotel? The world would disapprove. She would become a pariah.
I took that stand - I was that soldier. Last year, driven to distraction, I sent my daughter to live with her father for 10 months. I took them out to dinnner to explain. I couldn't have felt guiltier. Reactions were eye-opening. My daughter's father, put down his glass and said I'll take you to court.
Mavis felt that since she was 18, she'd done her bit, including the previous 9 years as a single parent. But the world saw her situation as, 'Mother abandons daughter'. At a party someone accused her of being 'feckless'...
"Give me the chance I say ... I'm off to get an education and to get a really top job. I've done my bit. Anyone else out there prepared to do their bit?
Mavis looks to see if her neighbour is listening, but she's too busy hanging out her son's washing.
