Chapter Eleven – Much's Birthday
Much's birthday was in mid-November, "So what are you planning to do?" asked Djaq at school the week before. Djaq and Much were sitting on a beach in the courtyard waiting for the others to appeared from their different subjects.
Much paused for a moment to think – he wasn't a big fan of having a huge fuss about his own birthday. And it was colder now and not a great time to do think outdoors. And he didn't want to do something similar to John or Robin.
"Just think about what you like want to do…." said Djaq like she could read his mind "It's your birthday you get to choose,"
"My ideas will be laughed at…." Said Much at once. He was always laughed at, with his friends it was meant it a friendly way - but sometimes it still hurt.
"Well, what is your idea?" pressed Djaq in a no nonsenses tone. Djaq was like that - she took no nonsense from anyone.
Much paused "You know….. Pot luck meals…..where everyone brings in food they make…. No takeaway stuff…. And you all share….." Much paused for a moment "I would like to do something like that..."
"That's sounds interesting – why would the others laugh?"
"I am asking them to cook," stated Much "And, I can't ask people to make things because they might not be able to afford to do stuff like that, plus the other eat meat and we both do not – plus Will's allergies to things…." Much paused for an moment. He had choice to stop being a vegan a few weeks ago - but wanted to be vegetarian. Most of his friends were big meat eaters. He wanted all he friends there and everyone to join in but didn't want to put pressure on them either. He knew money was tight for some of his friends - especially for Allan and Will.
"You are overthinking it," said Djaq calmly "One, Will knows what he allergic too – as long as he knows what is in everything – that shouldn't be a problem. Two – everyone knows we don't eat meat. And even if they bring meat things I, will not so there be something we can have. Three, tell people to bring what they can. Knowing my mother she will make me cook a lot anyway, and I expect Robin will take the opportunity to show off… so they will be plenty of food….."
"You think this is a good idea?" Asked Much
"I think it's a good idea." Said Djaq "And it's something different…being different is good..."
Much laughed a little, "Not in school," was all he said.
…
"So….explain this to me again?" said Allan at lunch that day.
"So, you can't tell anyone what you are making," said Much. He had explain this for the third time already – he was unsure if Allan was messing with him or not "It has to be a surprised for everyone," Much looked at all his friends "And if you do make something meaty can you but also make a vegetarian opinion one for me and Djaq and for anyone who wants to try it…." Much paused." and write out all the ingredients of course…."
"That's sounds alright too me," said John
"You have to cook something not your mum," said Allan with a laugh. John could cook a little but no where near as good as his mother. Allan paused for an moment "I have to see what I can do….does it have to be main or pudding?"
"Main, or sides" said Much at once "I am going to sort out the pudding – these this cheese cake I want to try out…. And this upside-down pudding…..and banana bread…..I find this new recipe…..I think you all will like it…"
"Well, between us I think we can have a decent fest." Said Robin with a grin.
….
Much's Birthday was on a Sunday so that gave everyone time to cook something over the weekend. "So what are you going to cook?" asked Robin's dad on Saturday morning, Robin's dad didn't have to go in work that day so they both had a cooked breakfast together. "Do you even know how to work the oven?"
"Yes of course I do," Robin at once "I just not good at cooking….Pizza simple right?"
"Since it's your best friend's birthday why don't you try something you know he will like?"
"Much, like Pizza" at Robin at once "Everyone like pizza..."
"Why not something like Pasta bake? Or make a casserole?" suggested Robin's dad. "A pot luck is meant to be filling and not the rubbish you normally eat."
"Pizza isn't rubbish and who eats casserole for a birthday?" asked Robin rolling his eyes. But maybe Pizza wasn't the best idea, "Fine – I make a pasta bake. I'll make two one with chicken and one without so everyone happy….."
"Just don't burn down the house." Joked Robin's dad.
…..
"What are you doing?" asked Luke walking into the kitchen to see Will flicking thought one of the old cookbooks that belonged to one of their grandparents.
"Trying to find something to make for Much's pot luck birthday tea tomorrow." Said Will "Have to make something I know I can eat, something Much will like and other people might like, and something we can afford to make…." That wasn't as easy as it sounded.
"What about sandwiches?" asked Luke "We can make them – everyone loves sandwiches….."
"I think that's a cop out." Said Will
"What about pizza?"
"What do you think Allan and Robin are going to make? It's not a pizza party." Said Will "And Much would go on about it for months if we all make pizza."
Luke though for a long moment "You could make bread."
"Bread? If sandwiches are a cop out – I'm pretty sure bread is too."
"You're an artist – make it look fancy? And homemade bread not a copout – you could add stuff to it like mum used too. You know like herbs and cheese and stuff like that…..then it's like posh bread…." Said Luke helping himself to an apple. Luke knew his brother was a perfectionist about things. especially when he had to make something.
"Feels like I need to do more,"
"We can't help having no money," said Luke "We can make lemonade as well. Much asked for food not drinks. Nothing beats homemade stuff…."
Will looked at his brother "Where are all these ideas coming from?" he asked
"Hey! I have good ideas sometimes." Said Luke walking off into the living room.
Will signed – Now their dad wasn't working the only money that was currently coming in was from his paper round, they had apply for benefits but that was taking a while to go though. He didn't want to admit that they were struggling and none of the family wanted to admit that they might lose their flat. Life seems to be going downhill at the moment. Will couldn't think about that - he couldn't think about any of that. He started to find a simple bread recipe.
….
"Now, you want to make mini quiches – make sure they is enough for everyone…." Said Djaq mother "and how about theses Mediterranean pastry pinwheels things….. And nachos… that's a must…. And veggie sausages rolls….."
"Mum," said Djaq as she made the list "I don't need to bring a lot of food – everyone is bring food….."
"But you need to make sure they is enough – and you don't know what you're friends are bring – it could be all meat…."
"Much is a vegetarian too – and he made sure to remind everyone that we are….." said Djaq "And my friends are good with that kind of thing," Djaq had been impressed with her friends food habits with each other. They never needed reminding about her not eating meat or Much - and told them of something had meat in it.
"Yes – but who knows what they will bring – and you're friends are all male…. And most men at that age cannot cook to save their lives…..and you need to offer food to your friends' parents as well…. And some of your friends won't be able to afford much…we are better off than some of them….."
"Okay mum" said Djaq - she need she was better off than some of her friends. And her mum had her heart in the right place - but she didn't want to made her friends feel guilty for not doing as much as she did. She made an mental reminder to send a message to everything - telling them her mum is making a list of things to make.
"And you need to make cupcakes."
"Much is making the puddings." reminded Djaq "He wants to make the puddings..."
"But it is his birthday – he cannot make he's own cake. Don't be ridiculous…."
"Okay – I'll make cupcakes too….." said Djaq
"And what about French bread pizza?" suggest Djaq father walking into the room with a playful grin. He knew what her mother was like, and knew how much she hated cooking.
"Dad I think I have enough to make….."
"That's a good idea, write that down as well….." said her mum
Djaq had a feeling she was going to spend a lot of time in the kitchen today. Why did she agree to this? Maybe she should of talked Much out of this idea when he first told her about it.
…
"Well what is everyone else making?" asked John's mother as John was trying to come up with something to make.
"We don't know, that's the point" said John.
"But what if everyone comes with the same thing?" asked his mother - who thought the whole idea was odd.
"That part of it I guess," said John with a shrug "If it happens, it happens….."
"So what are you going to make?"
John shrugged "I don't know….."
"Why not ratatouille?
"Ratatouille?" asked John but he couldn't think what else to make and it was simple enough "Sure why not….how do you make that…."
"I've got the recipe somewhere…." Said John's mothers getting up to find it.
…
"What you making?" asked Tom walking into the small kitchen.
"Pizza for Much's birthday,"
"Why? Can't you just order it?"
"Much challenging us to cook – I can't fail a challenge from Much!"
Tom laughed "Dose Much want to get poisoned?"
Allan got fed up with Tom quickly "Get out of here," he said and Tom walked out laughing.
…
"Wow – I think you went a little over board," comment Robin. It was Sunday. As Djaq's parents were working this weekend, Robin's father was giving them both a lift with the food they had made.
Djaq gave Robin a sharp look. "My mother made me make all this – do you think I wanted to? She was like "You need to make this. And you need to make that, make some of this also, and make sure there is enough…" Djaq shook her head, "She's a nightmare something - and dad didn't help - he was like, why not make this as well..."
"Well, I made pasta bake," said Robin with a grin
"Any idea if Much making anything else apart from puddings?" asked Djaq and she and Robin carried the boxes of food into the car.
"Knowing Much – he will have a feast lay out when we get there," said Robin "We need eating this all for weeks….."
Robin and Djaq climbed into the car. "Thanks for the lift, Mr Lockley," said Djaq politely.
"No problems," said Robin's dad "Are we picking anyone else up?" he asked Robin. Robin took out his phone. He send a message to everyone asking if anyone needed a lifted. "Allan asking for one. And Will and John are biking…." he said
Allan was waiting outside the flats when they got there and climbed in quickly. "Thanks – Tom has hidden the keys to my bike lock because I told him to get out of the kitchen… he a bloody pain in the ass." Allan looked at the front of the car at Robin's dad. "Sorry for the language," he said
They arrived at Much's house and walked in. Much had seemed to spend the whole weekend cooking, he had made a curry dish as well as a number of sweet things. "You did remember that you asked us to bring food as well." Said Robin putting down the pasta bakes he has made. There seemed to of made a good deal of food - and everything look tasty.
"I know, I know…..but I actually like cooking," said Much proudly. He seemed impressed with what his friends had made. "John and Will are in the living room." Much added "I will sort out the food." Much seemed happy with sorting out the food so his friends left him to it and walked into the living room.
"You are early for once," said Allan getting Will into a headlock.
"I'm hardly ever late," agued Will at once, knocking Allan off him.
"How long have you two been here?" asked Robin flopping down on a chair.
"About half an hour," said John at once.
Much come walking in with a big grin on his face. "Let the feast begin….."
They all had a good time eating the food and tasting each other cooking They even try to guess who made certain things as well. but the evening everyone had to head home. Much smiled to himself - this, he thought, this had to be one of the best birthdays he had ever had.
