"You can't just force someone to propose, Rosie. You know that." Maxine reasons, falling into step with the girls, and even though she tries her hardest to look stern and serious, she can't help the slight twitch at the corners of her mouth as she thinks about just how intent these girls are, more serious in fact than Maxine has ever seen Rose.
"We're just trying to give them a push, you know?" Rose explains. "You know how pathetic Dad is with real emotions. He turns everything into a joke." Maxine privately agrees, but she resists saying so, not wishing to add fuel to the fire.
"And Mum's no better." Bridie chimes in, and Maxine feels that if this girl is anything like her mother, then her and Kate will get along like a house on fire. "I mean, this is the first guy I've actually met, and that's only because Rose is in the picture. Otherwise he'd just be another nameless, faceless reason why Mum is sometimes not home."
"They're both too scared." Rose sums up, as though summarising some long-winded speech. "And... we thought maybe if there was an adult, they might actually listen. I mean, Cal's in Kate's ear, but Dad has no one and-"
"I've already been in his ear, Hon." Maxine smiles wider at the incredulous looks on the girls' faces. "What? I'm not allowed to be a romantic? Kate's good for him. But... it is hard to put your heart out there again, especially after losing someone as special as your Mum, Rosie. Especially when you take into account what Kate does for a living." She rests a hand on Rose's shoulder. "You girls are completely on board with this and, believe me, as a parent that means a lot. You've taken care of their number one concern. As for the rest of it, I... I think you just have to let them figure it out." She narrows her eyes for a moment, before gesturing to the road. "Now, I think you'd both best be getting home before your parents freak. And, before you consider it, pretending to go missing is not the right way to go about it."
"So... this Kate. Have you said the magic words yet?" Maxine tries to keep her voice as nonchalant as possible, her gaze fixed intently on the tomatoes she's dicing in front of her. And, yeah, maybe she's told Rosie not to interfere, but that doesn't mean she can't give him a gentle nudge (or indeed, a great big shove) in the right direction.
"What?" Mike splutters from his spot at the frying pan, pausing in his stirring of the onion. "Where did that come from?"
"Just curious." Maxine shrugs evasively, inwardly cursing that he had seemed to pick today to be ultra-suspicious. "I mean, you obviously feel that way. Just wondering if you've told her." She chances a glance up at him and smiles at the goofy look on his face. "Look at you! You've practically got heart-eyes every time she's even mentioned."
Mike shakes his head in a 'woe-is-me' sort of way, but returns to his onions without further protest. "Well, no." He admits. "Not yet. I mean, we haven't really been out yet on a proper date. She was absolutely beat from work the other day and her shifts have been all over the shop lately. I've hardly seen her, let alone... you know... that. And, no, before you say anything, I'm not stalling. I'm just... being cautious. And... you know, barely seeing her."
"Well, as long as you're happy, okay? And... you know, not just turning to humour to mask any real feelings." She smiles softly and continues her cutting, even though she can feel Mike's gaze on her. A moment later, however, he interrupts.
"My daughter has been in your ear, hasn't she?" He accuses.
"What? No!" Maxine says, a little too quickly. Mike raises an eyebrow in her direction. "Okay, well, yes. If I'm honest, the girls were in my ear."
"Girls plural?" He freezes, turning to her. "When did you meet Bridie?"
"My point-" Maxine interjects, hoping she hasn't just landed Bridie into hot water. "-is that they weren't saying anything I wasn't already thinking, Mike. I care about you. And... you know, it's nice to see you happy." She grins. "I mean, I'd be happier if I could meet this particular woman but all the same."
"Well, look, Rose and I are seeing her on Saturday. I'll try and organise something with her then, okay?" He returns once more to the frying pan, adding the meat. "Just a bit scared you two will conspire against me. But now it seems it might be you four against me."
Maxine flashes him a sly grin. "Bros before hoes, Mike. I got your back."
"Cheers." Mike laughs. A moment later there's the sound of footsteps and they both look up to see Rose, resting against the bench top.
"Hi Aunty Max." She greets. "Um... how's things?"
"You..." Mike interjects, moving over to Rose and ruffling her hair. "Are too damn nosy for your own good." He grins. "I love you, Kiddo."
"So, Cal didn't want to come?" Mike questions as he twists and turns, taking in the flashing lights and the cacophony of sound.
"She's here already. Just too cool to hang out with her big sister apparently." Kate sniffs, though the smile on her face tells him she's not really upset. "Here with some uni mates. I'm sure they'll find some way to turn it into a protest about something and get arrested but... oh well, let's enjoy our time while we can." Kate turns to the girls. "What's first, Bee?"
"Fairy Floss!" Bridie calls automatically, leading the way throughout the crowds of people towards a bright pink stall. Mike raises his eyebrow at Kate, but finds her looking just as excited.
"What?" Kate murmurs when she catches his gaze. "Fairy floss is amazing! It's a staple food at carnivals."
"Can we, Dad?" Rose pleads, sticking her bottom lip out.
"Come on, Mike. It's not a carnival without fairy floss." Kate bumps his elbow lightly and he grins.
"Fine." He agrees. "My shout."
While she and Mike break into an argument about who is paying for what, Bridie and Rose hang back to whisper in each other's ear. "The Love Tunnel." Bridie says in Rose's ear.
"The... what?" Rose frowns. "I don't come to carnivals often, Bee. What's that?"
Bridie's eyes bug out at this fact. "What? Mum and I come all the time. Look, there's always some sort of romantic ride with... I don't know... love hearts and swans and... and all kinds of stuff. We have to get them on that." She squeezes Rose's arm. "It's practically foolproof."
"Except for how." Rose tips her head to the side. "I mean, it's kind of hard to just... randomly convince my father to go on some romantic ride." She bites her lip. "What about a rollercoaster. Your Mum will get all scared and lean into Dad and-"
"Mum loves rollercoasters." Bridie interjects, looking downcast.
"Even better." Rose grins. "Because Dad's scared of them." Trading equally devilish grins, they turn in time to get their fairy floss.
"I just can't believe you've never come to a carnival." Kate says again as she and Mike walk behind the girls. "Bridie and I go all the time!"
"I never even know when they're in town." Mike protests. "And... hey, you've never done putt-putt. Don't lecture me about incomplete life experiences." The girls slow and Mike rolls his eyes. "Oh my gosh, now there's a deathtrap." He stares at the rickety rollercoaster in front of him. Kate's smile widens. "No." He says simply. "No, no. Not in a million years."
Bridie turns, a wicked look in her eyes. "You two should go on it!" She looks at Mike in a pleading gaze. "Mum loves rollercoasters, Mike. And she never has anyone to go on there with her." Her eyes turn tentative. "I mean... unless... like, you're scared or something. Because that's okay. We'd understand."
Kate's grin widens. "You're not scared, are you?" She turns to Mike.
"I'm not scared!" Mike protests, a little too quickly.
Rose steps forward, resting a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. Bridie and I are too short anyway. Maybe Kate will just go by herself if you're too nervous."
"I'm not nervous!" Mike protests again, stamping his foot just a little. "It's just..." He waves a hand at the contraption. "It... it doesn't look safe."
"It's up to code." Kate reports, her eyes scanning down the long paper on the side. "Passed all the inspections."
"I..." Mike flails for a moment, then hangs his head, turning to the attendant. "Two tickets, please."
Bridie and Rose watch them go, identical smiles on their faces. "Too easy." Rose mutters, high-fiving her best friend.
"I hate you for this, you know." Mike's knuckles are white on the handrail as the ride launches, a slow crawl around and a gentle climb. To the side, Bridie and Rose are indistinguishable from the crowd. "Why would anyone do this for fun?"
"Adrenaline?" Kate suggests, already grinning like an idiot. Catching Mike's incredulous gaze, she just shrugs. "Hey, I'm a firie for a reason, okay? I love this sort of thing." She smiles encouragingly at him. "Look, Mike... just scream."
"What?" Mike frowns.
"Scream." Kate repeats. "Don't focus on anything else. Just yell your heart out and go with it."
"I... oh shit." He looks over the edge then quickly sits back, paling.
"You didn't have to come on." Kate groans, wondering vaguely whether he's going to throw up on her.
"And let you tease me for the rest of our lives? I think not!"
Kate turns to face him. "Lives?" She frowns. It's not the actual concept that has surprised her. It's just that, coming from his mouth, the words seem much more... real.
"I..." The cart is almost at the top. "Yeah, lives, Kate. I love you."
Kate freezes. "What?"
"I... I said I love you, Kate." Mike repeats, and even though his voice wavers slightly, he sounds more certain.
"Okay." Kate hesitates. "If this is a deathbed confession or something-"
"It's not." Mike grits his teeth. "I love you. Also, I'm really scared-" They reach the top.
"Love you too." Kate says, in a rush. For a moment they look at each other, and then Kate grins. "You ready?"
"For... our lives?" Mike frowns.
"Nope." Kate grins, just as the cart plummets, Kate's laughter intermingling with Mike's screams.