Chapter 22
A shiny BMW Z3i pulled up outside Kenny's house.
"Thanks for the lift, Mr Kerr," said Kenny, climbing out of the passenger seat. "It's a great car. And thanks for the coffee too. Sorry it wasn't quite what you're used to. Czar has always been a bit creative when it came to coffee."
"My pleasure," replied Kerr. "And as far as the coffee goes, well, at least I can say I've now experienced a Ruskichino. It's not something I'm likely to forget."
"Most people say that about Czar's," mused Kenny. "Usually at half past three in the morning after an attempt at one of his pies!"
"I should be thankful for the warning you gave me," said Matt dryly. "Anyway, Kenny, I've got to get off to the Gazette. Duty calls and all that."
"Of course. Thanks again," replied Kenny and waved as Matt Kerr drove off with a customary squeal of tyres.
He turned to face his childhood home. Not much had changed. Plants in the garden had grown, and there was a new brass number by the door. He opened the gate, walked up the garden path and stepped over the crack in the pavers without even thinking about it. As he reached the door, he actually felt in his pocket for his keys before realising he had never even taken them on his trip to Australia. Shaking his head, he pressed the doorbell and waited. Footsteps came down the hall. He grinned. He could tell it was his mother, she still had the same slippers by the flup-flup sound of things.
"Who is it?" came the call from within.
"Special delivery!" replied Kenny. "From Australia!"
"Australia! Ooh, it's something from Kenny!" Liz Phillips slid back the deadbolt, opened the front door and shrieked.
"Hi Mum."
"Oh! Kenny! It IS Kenny! Oh, I can hardly believe my eyes!" She swept Kenny into a fierce hug and then held him out again for inspection. "You're so tanned and healthy looking! I can't believe it!"
Kenny laughed. "Did you think I'd just fade away without you to look after me?"
"Oh, that's not what I meant, dear! But what are you doing back here? You're not in trouble, are you?"
"Me? In trouble? Have you forgotten your only son?"
Liz laughed and shook her head. "Oh, don't mind me; I don't know what I'm saying! But where's all your luggage?"
"That might take some explaining," said Kenny. "Mind if I come in?"
"Oh, of course you can! Come on. What am I thinking? You must be freezing standing out there with only a shirt on!"
"It is a little chilly," agreed Kenny and allowed his mum to pull him into the house and settle him at the familiar kitchen table.
"You sit right there. I'll just pop upstairs and get you your dressing gown."
"No, that's okay, Mum, I'll get it!"
"Nonsense! You'll be exhausted. Won't be a minute." She left the room and soon returned with Kenny's dressing gown. "There you are. You get into that. And here's your slippers."
"Thanks, Mum," said Kenny gratefully, shrugging into the comfortable warm robe and slipping his cold feet out of his work shoes and into the woolly slippers. Once he was rugged up to her approval, Liz nodded in satisfaction.
"Now, then. I'll put on some coffee and you can tell me everything," she said, beginning to fuss around the kitchen. Kenny grimaced.
"Er, Mum, could I have tea please? I've already had some coffee this morning. I've kind of lost the taste for it."