Part Five: A bit of that country hospitality
Marion was clattering around with the plates downstairs. We were having dinner with the Ryans, Liz and Harry, to celebrate Bianca's birth. Alex was coming too. Meg was in the kitchen, cooking up a storm. Mum and I were sitting in her room, talking.
'But why can't you just kiss and make up?' I groaned, flopping on the bed in mock defeat.
'It's not that easy, Charlotte.' Mum insisted. 'One day, when you're older…' She continued clipping her nails
'Oh, don't give me the 'you're too young!' speech.' I begged. 'Spare me! I don't want to die!' I said dramatically.
'You're too young to die!' Mum said in the same tone. We dissolved onto the bed in giggles.
'Seriously, though…' I started, eventually sitting up. Mum gave me a warning look.
'Don't you start. I've already got Tess in one ear.'
'One day you'll thank us.' I promised. She rolled her eyes.
'Pardon me.' Alex knocked at the door.
'What are you doing here?' Mum greeted him.
'Just thought I might say hello. Nah, I'm trying to get out of helping Marion set the table. Little bugger, she wanted me to pour the drinks.'
'We couldn't have that. That would be terrible.' Mum teased him.
'Well, yeah! That's what I said, too.' He mocked, grinning. 'Geez. When will they learn, Claire?'
'Well you never did used to do any of the work around here.' Mum pointed out, completely ruining the moment. I pinched her in annoyance.
'Ow! Charlotte! What on earth was that for?' She looked slightly bewildered.
'Alright, you. Time to get out.' With a groan Alex picked me up and carried me out of the room, then went back in and shut the door firmly.
'She's beautiful, Tess.' Liz Ryan gushed. 'Look Harry, isn't she a sight?' Harry grunted his approval. I watched as Alex came down the stairs. Mum was just behind him. We all stared at them, waiting as they joined us.
'Thankyou, Liz.' Tess broke the silence, grinned politely at her mother-in-law. Nick's arm was protectively placed around her shoulders. Liz smiled at her, then at Nick. Then she turned amicably to the rest of the group, and started chatting away.
'It's so nice to know at least one of my boys is making a go of his marriage. Oh, hello there Alex, will you pass the potatoes?'
Alex raised his eyebrows at his mother. Mum nearly choked into her napkin. I grinned broadly, and Liz winked at me.
'Now, Alex, do tell me, what plans have you for the future? It seems so long since we've caught up.' Liz said innocently.
'Excuse me.' Alex's chair scraped against the wooden floor. Mum got up quickly and followed him into the kitchen. The dining room was silent.
A few minutes later they came back, looking a little more relaxed. I wondered what that was all about. Seemed like we weren't the only ones with a mission.
'Marion, why don't you tell your Grandma about your new horse?' Mum said pointedly. Marion looked a little startled, but obligingly she started talking. I pretended to be listening, but really I was taking the time to ponder this sudden change. Had I missed it? Had something major happened that Mum hadn't told me?
I caught Mum and Alex staring across the table at each other. Their eyes were talking silently. Every so often Mum would shake her head a little, or Alex would smile. They were communicating, but they weren't even speaking! It was beyond me. Suddenly they both cracked up.
'Pardon me.' Mum said, tears of laughter running down her cheeks. I hadn't seen her so happy in days. Alex was chuckling too. Apparently it was a silent joke between them. I shook my head. I would never, ever understand those two.