Chapter 6

Erik hid behind the kitchen door, glaring at the two people sat in the living room. Christine sighed.

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Lurking. Raoul and Madeline are getting along fine."

"That's what I'm afraid of." He muttered, peeking out at the pair. Christine rolled her eyes and picked up a tray, carrying out into the living room, Erik closely in her wake.

Madeline was looking at Raoul adoringly, to Erik's utter disgust.

"Erik, I can't imagine why you didn't introduce us sooner! Raoul was just telling me about how you and he first made friends." She said happily. Erik spluttered indignantly.

"Friends? Let me assure you, Mother, that-"

"And here you were denying it the whole time. Such a silly boy, you're just so overdramatic. Would you care for some tea, Raoul?" Madeline said dismissively. Raoul beamed at Erik, who was desperate to wrap catgut around his throat. Except that Christine had hidden his punjab lasso for the occasion.

They all sat down and Christine and Raoul struck up a friendly conversation about his family.

"Well, Philippe is having fun with his new computer. He can't figure out how to work it for the life of him, but it doesn't stop him trying!"

"How long were you two married for?"

"Oh, about a year." Christine said airily. "It was good while it lasted."

"But you can only take so many death threats before you've just got to do something about it." Raoul said. Christine smiled.

"But it all worked out rather well, didn't it Erik?"

"Huh." She elbowed him in the ribs and he straightened. "Yes. Yes, it did."

"I suppose it was a hard decision." Madeline said sympathetically. Raoul and Christine looked at each other.

"Raoul, I want a divorce."

"OK."

"It was painful at first, but we decided it was for the best." Christine said wisely. Raoul nodded his head in agreement.

"But we're still good friends. In fact, I helped Christine move in with Erik." Raoul said cheerfully. Erik snorted and Christine looked at him flatly.

"Erik…"

Raoul screamed again and Erik winced at the screeching noise.

"A spider! Another spider!"

"OK, I've got it." Christine said, rushing over with a cup and piece of cardboard. She scooped the arachnid up and went to let him out. Erik rolled his eyes.

"Why is he here?"

"Because he's a thoughtful person." Christine said as Raoul carried on unpacking her books. Erik shook his head in despair, carrying a box to the bedroom.

"He's being screaming since he got here."

"Lots of people are scared of spiders!" Christine pointed out.

Erik gave her a disparaging look.

"It's a SPIDER."

"Big deal. You're scared of caterpillars." Christine muttered. Raoul looked up, interested and Erik began to regret the whole idea.

"He always was scared of caterpillars." Madeline said sagely. "He'd cry at the sight of them."

"Mother!"

"Oh, we're all friends here." Madeline said with a dismissive wave. Raoul was grinning into his teacup and even Christine seemed amused. Erik crossed his arms and slouched in his chair.

"I don't know why I put up with this."

"Because I hid your punjab lasso." Christine pointed out. Erik narrowed his eyes but Christine had already turned her attention back to Madeline, who was saying,

"Weren't your family upset about the divorce?"

"Uh… not exactly…"

"Philippe… Christine and I are getting a divorce." Philippe looked up in unadulterated joy.

"Do you mean it? How wonderful! I know you loved her and everything, but she's just not right for you."

"I know." Raoul beamed. "And I've found someone else."

Philippe's mind filled with charming pictures of perfect young ladies wonderfully suited for his little brother.

"Oh? Tell me about her."

"Her name is Dennis!"

Philippe began to cry.

"He's as big a fop as you are." Erik announced. Raoul looked rather upset.

"I have asked you not to call me that."

"And I'm ignoring you."

"Erik! I think you need a time out, young man." Madeline said, her bosom swelling protectively. Erik gaped at her.

"I haven't had a time out since I was three!"

"The corner. Now."

Erik shuffled to the corner, muttering mutinously under his breath. Christine sighed.

"He's such a handful…"

"No, I'm not!"

"No talking in the time out!" Madeline ordered. Erik turned his back on them. Madeline shook her head.

"Such a stubborn boy. Now, Raoul, will I get to meet Dennis?"

"She's coming to the Christmas party."

"Lovely. I can't wait to meet her."

"Mother, the woman kidnapped me!" Erik called from his corner.

"Well, I'm sure you deserved it." Madeline said absently. Erik glared at her, fingers twitching. Damn Christine for hiding his lasso!

It was reaching the end of the evening when Madeline suggested Raoul stay for dinner. Erik made to object. His nerves were already worn down by Raoul's incessant enthusiasm, but Christine interrupted,

"Of course, he must stay! We'll order Chinese food."

"Yum!" Raoul perked up.

Christine dialled for the Chinese and Madeline said,

"Just out of curiosity, did you go to Erik and Christine's wedding?" Erik and Christine instantly looked a little panicked and tried to interrupt but Raoul was too fast.

"Oh, yes! It was very nice, we had pizza!"

"Really?"

Madeline looked pointedly at Erik.

"So Christine's ex-husband was invited to your wedding and your own mother wasn't?"

"Mother-"

"I must say, I find that most interesting!"

"Madeline, we-"

"I understand perfectly, Erik!" Madeline said, going red in the face and getting to her feet. Erik swallowed.

He could withstand mobs. He could withstand jeers. He could withstand pain.

At a push, he could even withstand Christine with PMT.

But he could not possible have withstood Madeline in a temper.

"Mother, I can explain!"

"Oh, you certainly DO have some explaining to do!" Madeline shrieked. Erik looked around for help. Raoul was sneaking towards the door and Christine had hidden in the alcove where the mannequin of her had been.

He turned to face the enemy. He faced her alone.

A/N: I know, short chapter. But I'm building to something here, I promise!

Love

Katie