I'm on study leave, so a new chapter seemed like an appropriate way to spend my time. In this one, we see a small amount of sweetness on Tybalt's part, and hear one of the Capulet's family secrets. Thanks to everyone who had favourited/reviewed/alerted!
Anger coursed through Tybalt's veins and boiled in his heart, and he breathed deeply and heavily. His hand throbbed with pain. His other hand burned with a desire to punch Lord Montague's face in. He was humiliated, and angry. But he couldn't let it control him. The film crew arrived just as Lord Montague took away his secret stash of alcohol. He did not want them, the whole of Verona, including his friends and foes, to see him toss his little temper tantrum. But at least he still had his mobile. Tybalt dialled his mother's number.
"Tibby, darling!" exclaimed Regina "Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine, mum" glowered Tybalt "I just called to check in on you"
"Aw, Tybalt, you're such a good boy! You take such good care of your old mum. I miss you already" cooed Regina.
"I miss you too mum. Right. Have you taken your pills today?"
"What's that?"
"Your pills, mum, your pills" said Tybalt, raising his voice as loud as he dared. He didn't want the Montagues to know what was family business.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry, Tibby. I forgot. I'll take them when I've hung up"
"No, mum. Take them now!" commanded Tybalt.
"All right, all right. I'll just go and find them"
"They're in the kitchen draw. You know this. Get yourself a drink of water or juice"
"Yes, Tibby, poppet" Tybalt heard the rush of water filling a glass, and the banging of the draw. There was a crackle of the packet, and he heard his mum swallow them.
"There. All done. Anything else?"
"You've fed all the cats?"
"Yes, yes. I never forget to feed my babies" My babies. Lady Montague called her dogs her babies. What a coincidence. Tybalt shrugged it off.
"And you've closed all the curtains and locked the doors?"
"Yes. Of course I have. I know you worry about the harassers"
"Good. And there's plenty of money on the electric meter?"
"Yes. You topped it up before you went, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did. Have you had dinner yet? The Montagues tried to make me eat their puke. I bet they poisoned it. I asked where the chippie was, and they wouldn't tell me. This won't last five seconds. I'll probably be home tomorrow. You'll be all right until then, won't you? If you're worried and I can't get there, call Uncle Egues. I wrote down his number and put it next to the house phone. If the prank calls start up again, turn off the house phone, and make sure you've got your mobile phone, in case I have to ring you or you need to ring me if something goes wrong."
"Yes, Tibby, sweetheart. I won't blow the house up"
Tybalt snorted. His mum was awful at electrical safety. Twice he'd saved her life. Twice. "All right. I'm going to call Rosaline now. Take care"
"You're such a good boy, Tibby darling. You take such good care of me"
"I know. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye"
"Yes, Tibby, darling. I love you"
Tybalt listened for any approaching footsteps and whispered "I love you too"