Mortgage Relief

Weeding plans at the allotment delayed

while I talk to a man on the phone

about changing our mortgage. 

I write down on the back of the letter

the ten options he offers -  

standard variable rates,

percentages over the Bank of England base rates,

tracker mortgages

with an arrangement fee of £499,

or a fixed rate with no fee at 3.29%

for 2 years.

I put the phone on loud speaker

but my husband

sitting next to me on a stool

shakes his head and shrugs

incomprehension

of the words 

and 

strong Scottish accent 

of the man talking into the peace 

of our kitchen.

Who isn’t allowed to give advice.

I feel awkward,

out of my depth

being the one

who has to understand this stuff

which was my husband’s area of

expertise.

In the end we compare the options

choose one

with a calculator

right or wrong 

and I call the Scottish man back.

He asks more endless questions

which I strain to hear

so my husband says he’s off to buy

grow-bags for the tomatoes.

Leaving me to manage 

my own growth spurt

into the world of 

financial responsibility.

It’s a relief to join him later at the allotment 

my hands in the cool rhubarb bed,

pulling up the weeds.