The Fierce Brave Gang – Chapter Ten
Dylan listened patiently, stroking Dervla all the while, and then said:
"You've got a short memory, Ben."
Ben sighed.
"Look, I know she threw a stone at Dervla but we were infants then-"
"Precisely. The reason I'm telling you you've got a short memory is that there was a day when Caleb Knight made for the Haunted Playground with rabbit-murder in his heart."
"Ah."
"He ended up becoming besotted with the rabbit, and becoming a decent lad. If I can't give your Taylor the same benefit of the doubt, I'm a pretty poor dad. Now, why don't you invite her round for dinner one night next week and we'll take it from there."
"Thanks, Dad!"
"Now are you going to start looking as if it's Christmas?"
"Yeah!"
"Just one thing; don't go blaming me if Dervla bites Taylor's head off when she comes over!"
Dylan laughed at Ben's terrified expression.
Max lay on the bed, wondering whether it was worth even getting up that day. It might be Christmas Day, but his mum hated him, Robyn hated him and Zoe wasn't fussed either.
"Max Walker, are you going to stay in bed all day? Get yourself up now!"
Max obeyed, taking time to have a decent shower before he faced his mother.
She was holding out a parcel.
"Merry Christmas, moron!"
"Mum, I'm so sorry…"
The rest of the sentence was choked off in tears.
Greta took the package out of his hands.
"I paid a lot for that wrapping. Come on, I was angry with you, but I'm your mother when all's said and done, it's Christmas, and maybe you were pushed into doing what you did."
She hugged him. Things looked better.
Ruth's eyes were like saucers.
"I've had my school present, Mrs Beauchamp."
"No, darling, this is from Miss Freeman and myself. If it's not right we can swap it when the shops open again."
Ruth opened the parcel slowly and carefully, folding the paper.
"Oh!"
She looked at the books. How did Mrs Beauchamp know she liked books so much?
"Don't look surprised, you're the best reader in the class. Merry Christmas, sweetheart."
Ruth wanted to run up to the nice spare room they'd fixed up for her and read till her eyes were pink. But she knew that would be rude, so she put the books carefully on the sideboard.
Guppy's mum smiled at him.
"Oh Mum, it's great. This'll keep me warm when I got to rehearsals! Thank you!"
He stroked the sweater gently with his finger. It was perfect.
"I'm going to text Jess."
"Cal, NO!"
Cal recited wickedly:
"Roses are red, violets are blue, you are a stunner and Ethan loves YOU!"
"Don't think about it, Cal. I'll ask her out, promise. "
"Ask her at the New Year party."
"All right! Now let's take wee Ruth for a nice walk to work off our lunch."
Miss Freeman and Mrs Beauchamp were already working off their lunch, under the big tree in the garden. They might be older but they were still very active ladies.
"You ladies all right?" well-meaning Mr Robson, their neighbour, shouted. They emerged, hoping they hadn't been caught.
Mr Robson, however, was a complete innocent.
"Looking out where to put your spring bulbs? I like crocuses, I do, especially the purple ones. I see that new little lass is settling in."
"Yes she is" Rita said happily.
"What's this then?" Dylan opened the parcel and took out the framed drawing which showed a contented Dervla, tail in mid-thump, sitting proudly on the deck of the houseboat.
"Is it okay?"
"Okay? It's…"
Dylan pulled Ben into a bear hug.
"It's the most thoughtful present anybody's got for me."
"I took that photo of her to a guy in the market who makes photos into drawings."
"And spent a lot on the frame, too, I see. You're a good son, Ben."
"And you're a real father to me."
Ben wasn't going to spoil Christmas talking about his actual father, a weak, selfish man who let Julia behave as she pleased because it was easier than arguing with her. One day he had packed, taken all his stuff, and anything of Ben's or Julia's that would sell. Julia had taken his flight out on Ben. Well, that was over now.
"Don't you go playing with that laptop till all hours."
"I'd like to; it's a brilliant present. But I'll use some sense for a change."
"Benjamin, you talk more sense than a lot of people I know."
"Iain!"
"It's okay Mum, just making sure this is the best sweater I can wear."
"You're going to a New Year Party, not a fashion show! You look good. Now come on or we'll be late."
Late for Miss Freeman? No chance.
Ian tied his shoes in record time.
The Fierce, Brave Gang, who were happily helping out for the Tinies' half of the New Year party, were circulating, chatting to all the excited children. The talk was mainly of 'Thorns' but there was plenty of discussion about presents as well.
"I got some Disney DVDs" said Alicia, "And I felt daft because I cried at them all."
"Our Ethan still does! You should have seen him last night, weeping and wailing at 'Lion King'.
"Ah, everybody cries when they watch 'Lion King'!"
Jess was smiling. Cal elbowed Ethan sharply and he mouthed:
"Not in front of everybody."
Cal, determined this was going to happen, went and whispered to Mrs Beauchamp, who looked lovely as ever in a black and silver dress with a short, full skirt. She smiled and nodded.
"Okay, cake time! I'm going to channel my inner Prince Sebastian and send two servants to fetch it: Jess and Ethan, please!"
If looks could kill Cal wouldn't have made it to the next year. But Jess was looking happy enough, so he followed her through into the kitchen.
"Um… Jess?"
"Yes?"
"G-good party, isn't it?"
"Lovely."
"I- I think you once said you were a fan of Hugh Jackman?"
"Why, have you got him hiding in the pantry?" teased Jess.
Ethan took a deep breath.
"No, but his new film's out next Friday. Would you like to come and see it with me?"
"Oh Ethan, I'm so sorry. Robyn and I have tickets for Friday."
Ethan's heart sank. The girls must have called the Multiplex as soon as they knew the film was due for release. Curse Hugh Jackman!
"I'm free Saturday" Jess told him. Ethan un-cursed Hugh Jackman, promised to text Jess about her choice of venue, and almost danced out with the cake. Almost bumping into Zoe, who had just arrived.
"Nice cake. Is that idiot Max around?"
"He's over there chatting to Guppy."
"Hello Guppy, will you excuse Max for one moment?" she asked the little boy. Guppy smiled and began to chat to Tom.
"Got you a Christmas present, you great fool."
"Ah – yours is at my house because somebody said you weren't coming tonight."
"Well, somebody was wrong. Are you going to get me a drink? We need to talk."
It was a start.
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