Chapter 75

Sara had not actually been sick, but felt as if she might be, most every morning. Ted had been taking care of everything in the morning, just as he had before they married. Everything except Bernadette's hair, which Sara would fix just before they were ready to leave. Ted tried to do it one day, but Bernadette insisted on Mummy.

Throughout the morning Sara would duck into Ted's office to nibble on a Rich Tea to keep her stomach from rebelling. She was feeling quite proud of being able to control the nausea. If only she could control the tiredness, she was asleep not long after the children, leaving Ted alone every evening. Sara felt like she was deserting her husband, but he assured her he understood. He would climb in bed and hold her while she was sound asleep.

The week of the school holiday was nice, because Sara could feel miserable at home without hiding it. She tried to stay awake for Ted, but failed. That didn't stop them from some honeymoon behavior right after dinner. Ted did the washing up every night after Sara was asleep. Still they were glad when the children returned.

Easter had turned out to be a lovely day. Evangelina most definitely enjoyed meeting Tony. She texted him about her gig on Saturday night with her new band. Bring your friend. She liked him, but Arnie, the chap she had been seeing was going to be there. Marianne was coming too, so it would be a party. She had asked Uncle Ted and Sara, but he was on call. She really liked Sara which was weird, because she was married to her father's brother. Sara was only six years older than her, but her uncle seemed old to her as she was only twenty-five.

The evening went smashingly. Tony brought Lara, not Laura, who reminded Evie a bit of her deceased aunt. She was tall with dark hair and older than Tony, by at least five years. Evie thought she'd have to see if Marianne also thought she looked like Melissa. It was no matter, because neither had ever had any real relationship with their aunt. When they learned of the tragic accident all their emotions went towards their Uncle Ted and cousins.

Tucking those thoughts away, Evie loved performing with this new band. She sang and played piano. She felt so confident in front of an audience. She always had since she was little. She knew she impressed Tony, as his jaw seemed to drop open when she belted out Dream A Little Dream Of Me. Although he wasn't staying long, she wouldn't mind if he dreamed a little dream of her.

At the end of the night, she said to Tony, "Sorry I was on stage all night."

"We could get together when you're not performing," he said.

She smiled and said, "Let's. I'm free on Wednesday night. I'll text you."

She watched him leave. Arnie was still there and she found him at the bar. "Let me see you home," he said.

"My sister is with me," she reminded him. Without Marianne, she might invite him into her tiny flat, but she wasn't interested in doing anything more than a snog. She may step out with a lot of lads, but she didn't sleep with them. She'd only been with one ever and they were in love…

Tucking those thoughts away she gathered up her sister who was looking quite tired, said goodbye to the other band members and walked out. On the street, Arnie took her hand which was a sweet gesture, but didn't give her any sexual thrill. He was nice, but not her one. She again thought of the past and wondered if she'd ever be able to love again.

In the morning, Marianne asked Evie, "Are you going to church?"

"Oh, no, I want to sleep half the day," she responded.

Marianne was tired too, but if she was in London she liked family Sundays. "Will you come to Mum's later?"

"Mare, I'm tired! We just saw everyone for Easter," Evie said.

"I know, but I don't know when I'll have another weekend off. I'm off to church then. Are you alright?" she asked concerned as she leaned down and kissed her younger sister's forehead.

"Yes. I just need sleep. Mare thanks."

They may be different, but still they were close, like best friends. They always had been… not that they never fought because there were a few teen years when they almost didn't make it as friends, but they did, because they loved each other and their parents made certain they didn't forget that.

Marianne worried about Evie. She always seemed to chose the wrong men. This new one, Arnie, was nice enough, but not for Evie. It looked as if the only one who didn't realize this was poor Arnie. She spent a lot of time feeling sorry for some poor chap or other. Evie had a broken heart years ago that never fully healed. Now she was concerned that American Tony would be the next poor chap. She noticed the way that Evie was eyeing him up and he seemed quite enthralled when Evie sang, but who wasn't. Marianne heard Uncle Michael's message, but wondered if Evie would ignore it. When he told Tony not to get involved over here, she was certain he was sending a message to her and Evie… well really just Evie, because Marianne never had boys at her heels.

She loved Sundays at home. She loved being with the adults and her cousins equally. Uncle Ted was the late one because he worked at the surgery. She watched the way Sara greeted him and wondered if she'd ever have that. She knew she had time, just like Sara plenty of women marry in their thirties.

She was surprised when Tony arrived this time with Lara. Marianne watched as her mother greeted them and made them feel welcome. "Thank you Mrs. Turner. When Tony offered a family meal, I couldn't say no. I do miss my family."

Marianne greeted them and Tony asked, "Where's your sister?"

"She was sleeping when I left. She mustn't have known you were coming," Marianne answered.

"Your mother told me I was welcome every Sunday. I like your family. I really didn't think I would. Uncle Michael is so different than I heard about at home. I have four sisters too, but luckily I'm not the youngest. My mother and her sisters are a bunch of old hens that peck at you constantly. Truthfully I think he'd be crazy if he had stayed."

"You should tell him that. We all know that they dislike Auntie and the whole family hates to visit there. You know Uncle Michael is great. I remember a little bit of being flower girl at their wedding, but I was barely three when he came. I love him like I do my Uncle Ted," Marianne explained.

"I can see that. I'm glad I'm here. Maybe I can redeem my family some," he said seriously.

Her Dad came over and said, "What are you two plotting?"

"Nothing Dad," she said and kissed his cheek.

Auntie came over and asked, "How'd you managed two weekends off in a row?"

"I didn't. I had last night off. I can't stay long, because I'm on at seven tonight. Did you notice her? Evie and I met her last night. Evie thinks she looks like…"

"Oh! Maybe a little, but don't worry your uncle is too in love to notice. I suspect the only time he thinks of Mel these days is to realize that he never thinks of her," Angela surmised and added, "My brother has never been happier."

A few moments later, Marianne watched as her mum offered Sara wine. Sara declined and her mum had that look on her face when she's up to something. Marianne thought for a moment and smiled, perhaps her uncle had another reason to be so happy. Leave it to her mum to figure it out, when poor Sara probably didn't want anyone knowing.

Granny came over and said, "Did you see that?"

"Yes. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Marianne said.

"Dearest I'm thinking never keep a secret from your mum and also feeling relief that Sara apparently is much luckier than Angela or I were. I hoped it would be sooner rather than later. I'm not getting any younger."

"Granny, you're the quickest, spriest eighty year old I know."

"I can't afford not to be, in this family," Shelagh teased and asked, "So what do you make of our handsome American?"

"I think he is realizing, he doesn't know his uncle at all and I think that Evie could possibly break his heart," Marianne answered.

"We'll have to keep an eye on things won't we," the wise woman said.