A review by youreadtoomuch
Tell it to the Bees by Fiona Shaw

5.0

Summary:

Spoiler

Dr. Jean Markham has inherited her too-large home. Her days consist of non-stop doctoring whether at her surgery or house calls and caring for her bees. Lydia Weekes has been working at the wireless factory for 10 years now since being disowned by her father after marrying her husband, Robert, and following him to his hometown.

Charlie Weekes knows his mom, Lydia, is sad and that his dad isn't around. One day, after Charlie gets into a fight over rumors of his dad, Robert, having another woman he meets Dr. Markham. She has a model of a beehive in her office that Charlie is drawn to. She invites him over to meet her bees whenever he wants. Dr. Markham tells him the bees keep secrets. He shares his mom is sad.

Lydia is worried about this doctor that spends so much time with Charlie. Jean invites her over to tea. Lydia likes to read so Jean lets her borrow some books. Meanwhile, Robert is cheating on Lydia and has moved out slowly and stopped paying the rent. Charlie learns this on a visit to his Aunt Pam's to see his cousin Annie. Aunt Pam resents Lydia and Charlie for taking her brother, Robert, from her whom she raised after their parents death.

As Jean and Lydia get closer, Jean starts to notice the way she knows Lydia so well and pays particular attention to her style of dress and appearance. When Jean invites Lydia to a hike to a beautiful place, Lydia kisses her wondering why Jean invited her. They don't speak of it. When it is time for the harvesting of the honey, Jean's friend, married couple Jim and Sarah, and their daughters arrive to celebrate, Lydia included. Charlie sets a jar aside for his dad he knows he won't be able to give him. Robert has not tried to contact Charlie at all.

When Lydia's friend, Dot, invites her out to dancing, Lydia dances with a man but wishes it were Jean instead. After a night of restlessness, she walks all the way to Jean's home and confesses to her that she has never felt this way for another woman. Something changes in their relationship that night.

One day, Lydia receives an eviction notice. Lydia invites her to move in with her. Her home is plenty big for all three of them and she's been meaning to get a new housekeeper even for just appearances sake. Lydia loudly declines because it would be different as they are in a relationship. After Lydia gets sick and is unable to work, Jean takes them to her childhood seaside home. While Lydia recovers, they make love for the first time.

Lydia and Charlie move in to Jean's house. Jean accidentally calls Lydia "my love" while Jim and Sarah are visiting. Jim is unaware of the term of endearment but Sarah does, she lets Jean know it's okay. On a visit to see Annie, Charlie shares that he couldn't find his mom in her bed after a particularly bad thunderstorm but she came right after. Pam overhears this and rumor flies that Lydia isn't sleeping in her bed and their may be something going on between the two women. Jean notices she doesn't have as many patients now.

One day, Robert shows up to pick up Charlie after school saying he will be staying with him now. He's sent a letter to Lydia which turns out to be a lie. Lydia doesn't know where Robert lives and dwindles away unable to see her son. Lawyers say Robert can win custody if she causes trouble ad Robert decides to use the law against her given the nasty rumors flying about her relationship with Jean despite Robert cheating on her and abandoning her. Charlie doesn't go see his mom afraid he may never be able to.

Jean receives a late night visit from Pam asking for her help. Annie was pregnant but they performed an illegal abortion and Annie was now bleeding out. Jean agrees to help and not involve a hospital at the price of Lydia getting Charlie back. Once Annie is well, Pam pleads Robert to let Charlie go home as he himself doesn't even like Charlie. He agrees. Once back home, the three decide to move to another place. Not letting anyone know, it'll be easier to be "normal" afar.

Years later, Charlie returns to visit his father. He is alone. Only Annie visits. He is still hateful towards Charlie. He wants to know why Robert agree to let him go home that day so many years ago. Robert doesn't ask about Lydia so Charlie informs him she is happy. Moving didn't make it easy but they were happier, Lydia and Jean still sleep in the same bed.