Isn't Betty Looking Well? Margaret

Still Life with Dahlias, Wine Glass and Fruit (detail). George Leslie Hunter, c.1913 © National Gallery of Ireland

Last week, my sister collected my mum from the nursing home to bring her to my house for dinner. When they pulled into the driveway, Mum looked across at my sister and asked whose house it was. My sister explained that it was mine, and that they were coming in for dinner. My sister knew from my mum’s face that she did not recognise my house.

When I saw the car pull up in the driveway, I went out to the doorstep to greet Mum and my sister. When she saw me, Mum turned to my sister and said, ‘Isn’t Betty looking well today?’ That was a nice compliment – except that Betty is her sister!