Silent treatment

Bren scrubbed at the Formica tables, removing tea stains and marks left by various cups and plates. She focused solely on the task in hand knowing that Tony, Stan and the girls would be wondering what was wrong with her. Pausing she took a deep breath as she heard Jean behind her.

"You'll have the pattern off that."

"No patten on it anyway."

"See? You've already done it." Jean pulled a chair out before sitting down. "Tony is in his office, Twinkle is having a fag, I dread to think what Dolly is doing with those scales and Anita is making us all a brew. Glen will be here with the bread before long so you'll have to sign for it."

"Let Tony do it."

"Bren? What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Nothing is the matter. Tables need wiping, so I'm wiping tables. Ok?"

"Has Tony upset you?"

"No." She paused. "Jean? Would you leave it please? Just let me be. Ok?"

"Ok luv." Jean squeezed her hand. "I'll go give the toaster a kick, see if that helps. But we're your friends Bren. Remember that. We care about you and Tony loves you."

Bren sighed.

"Ok, ok." The older woman turned, heading back to the kitchen as Tony emerged from his office. Jean shook her head.

"I dunno love." Jean paused. "She won't talk to me."

"That's not like her." Tony frowned, desperately wishing he still smoked. "I'm worried."

"What have you done?" Jean folded her arms.

"Nuffin." He paused, "Well, nothing bad. I asked her to marry me. She hadn't spoken to me since."

"Oh Tony." Jean smiled slightly. "Do you want to ? Is that what you really want? You and Bren, married? After all that Scotland thing was your idea but nothing came of it."

"Yes. I want us married and happy. I love her, Jean. I really do. Her leggings get on my wick, the way she gets words muddled up, the way she forgives her mother almost everything she's done. But I love her."

"And does she know this?" Twinkle asked as she returned to the kitchen. Tony shrugged.

"Blimey even Stan is better than you at all this. Go on Cardiman. Ask her proper; on one knee. All that malarkey!"

"Twink."

"You oldies are useless. Well, apart from Stan and Jean." Twinkle smiled as Jean swatted her away with a tea towel. A crash from the dining hall and Anita's screams brought them back to their senses. Tony moved first, closely followed by the girls.

"Bren?" Tony knelt next to her. "Bren? You alright?" He asked; trying not to panic as he pulled her into his arms.

Xxxxx

A/N please review