First Love Chapter 6: Meet The Parents, a london's burning fanfic

LONDON'S BURNING
First Love

CHAPTER FIVE
Meet the Parents

Hi-Ho

It must be getting serious. I'm taking her to meet my parents, which might not be such a good idea! Mum was pleased that I'd finally brought a girl home and kindly pointed out that it doesn't happen very often! Thanks Mum!

Dad sat in his chair asking Kirsty a load of questions. If he didn't like one of her answers it would be "you are the weakest link, goodbye".

His first complaint was that she was white. Mum hissed at him to shut up. She shoed him into the kitchen to give him a talking to. I tried to apologise to Kirsty.

"Sorry about that."

She smiled. "Don't worry about it."

But I did. Parents could be so embarrassing when they wanted to be.

Dad reappeared, he picked up his paper and pretended to read it, still he couldn't resist going for the second round.

"So have you thought about the future yet?"

"Sorry?" Kirsty wasn't sure what he was asking.

"Well marriage and children" he looked at me. "We're not going to get any grand children out of your brother are we?!"

Mum stood in the kitchen doorway, hands on her hips, and told him in no uncertain terms to shut up! He went back to the paper.

"Will you be stopping for a bite to eat?" Mum asked, making the effort to be civil and apologise for Dad's actions.

"Well…." I wasn't sure if that was a good idea.

In fact I'm certain it wasn't!

Kirsty interrupted. "We'd love to, thank you."

Mum grinned. "You're not a vegetarian or anything are you?"

Kirsty smiled. "No."

Mum made herself busy in the kitchen. With her out of the way, Dad thought of some more questions he hadn't asked yet.

"So what line of work are you in then Kirsty?"

"I'm in the Ambulance Service."

"What, answering the phones?"

"No, I'm a paramedic."

"Really?"

I wanted the ground to open up. And they wondered why I never brought girls home!

Dad decided to have another jibe. "I thought it was nurses who fraternized with firemen!"

I shook my head. I knew it was going to be a disaster. We managed to get through a meal, Dad still kept on asking embarrassing questions when he got the chance, but usually ended up getting a dig in the ribs from Mum who seemed desperate to impress.

Kirsty suggested doing the washing up.

"That's a good idea!" Dad told her.

But Mum glared at him, and wouldn't have any of it. "I'm sure Ronnie can manage" she looked at me.

"I expect you get enough practice at the fire station!" Dad grinned, Mum glared at him.

I wasn't sure about leaving Kirsty alone, but she told me to go. I washed up. Mum was pleasant as always, and Dad didn't say anything else, much to my relief!

But if I thought that was embarrassing, it went like a dream compared to the embarrassment that Kirsty's father caused!

Kirsty

I thought Ronnie's parents were very nice people. I told him so later. He seemed surprised that was the impression I'd got! I pointed out that his father was nothing compared to mine! He insisted on meeting my family. I'm sure he regretted it, I know I did!

My dad wasn't in, fortunately! But my mum was pleased to see me. I could guess where my father was. I keep telling Mum to leave him, but she won't. She reckons I'll understand in a few years. If he was my husband I'd have left long ago.

He loved the pub and the booze. If he loved her then he had a funny way of showing it. I knew he'd instantly disapprove of Ronnie.

He was a drunken bigot, he'd never change. It might be an awful thing to say about your own father but it was true.

Mum remained pleasant and didn't ask anything embarrassing. I was anxious to go before "he" stumbled home. Ronnie didn't understand why I was so edgy as I didn't explain. But he soon found out for himself.

We were leaving as it stumbled round the corner.

I rolled my eyes.

"Is that him?" Ronnie asked.

"Unfortunately." I replied. "I said you wouldn't want to meet him!"

"Is he always like that?"

"You don't want to know, get in the car."

But it was too late, "It" had clocked him.

"What's going on?" he slurred, leaning on the car for support. "What do you want?" he looked at me then to Ronnie. "She only comes home when she wants something!"

"We're leaving" I announced.

"So where did you pick this one up?" It asked. "Have you been poash… poashing… raiding the curry shops?"

He didn't know what he was on about. I'd knew he'd try to start something.

"Ignore him" I told Ronnie. "Get in the car."
Ronnie looked at It sprawled out over the bonnet making yet another comment about black people.

"Get in the car" I repeated.

He did so, I followed.

It was still leaning on the bonnet when I drove away, he fell to the floor.

"I am so sorry about that."

"Is he ok?" Ronnie looked back.

"I don't care, neither should you. I knew this was a bad idea."

"You weren't to know."

"I could have bloody guessed!"

"Your mum was nice."

"I've never been so embarrassed!"

"It was probably just the drink…"

"Isn't it always?! I expect you'll want to call it off now, me being associated with a racist an all!"

"You can't be responsible for your father" he pointed out. "He might be a racist and a drunk, but that doesn't change the way I feel about you."

"Doesn't it?"

"No."

He touched my leg, I managed a smile. "Perhaps we should just visit your parents more often!"

"I'm not too sure about that!"

I smiled, he smiled.

I hoped a repeat of the other night was on the cards. He had a twinkle in his eye. I'm just glad he didn't get the chance to start anything with my father! I know I would have done! I wouldn't have blamed him though…