It was Saturday morning and Robbie woke up when she felt two little hands tickling her all over her face. She opened her eyes and looked into little Amy's sparkling eyes.
- 'Morning Pix, Amy wanted to wake up her big sister, or auntie, whatever?' Roxy said sitting with Amy on the side of Robbie's bed.
- 'Guess i'm both now' Robbie said pulling Amy close 'come here babycakes, oh you give the best cuddles'.
- 'Missed you last night moodypants, i thought in the end you was going to sleep in my bed anyway, that it was just that bigmouth talking again?' Roxy said giving her sister a little tickle.
- 'Roxy stop, yeah well i wasn't in the mood, mum pretending that i was tired and you going along with it' Robbie said turning her head away.
- 'You were tired Robbie, admit it, you're still a kid and you still need your sleep, just stop acting like you know it all, wiseass' Roxy said putting Amy on the floor.
- 'Oh now don't go all parental on me now ok "mummy", you didn't wanna have me around last night you felt i was like holding you back on your night out' Robbie said turning her back on Roxy.
- 'What's that i'm hearing,…think I hear a lot of stupid coming out of my "little" baby sister's extremely big mouth, you're not holding me back Robbie, and i wasn't out for the night, i just had a drink with Christian and Syed, that's all, i was already home at half 10, and guess what, you were already sleeping, you fell asleep in mums arms you muppet, she put you to bed and tucked you in, cause you weren't really tired right?' Roxy said raising her eyebrows to her younger sister. She stood up, got back on the bed and then sat down on top of Robbie.
Robbie just made a face to Roxy but didn't say anything, maybe Roxy was right.
- 'Now i'm gonna take some stuff over to the apartment maybe you wanna help me out please?' Roxy asked giving Robbie a little tickle 'come here Amy let's give aunty moodypants a tickle'.
- 'Alright alright, got to keep myself a little busy anyway, now get off me Roxy you weigh a ton' Robbie said pushing Roxy's hands away.
- 'It's just a couple of days babe' Roxy said getting of Robbie and the bed picking up Amy again 'before you know it they'll be back'.
- 'I know, it's just so different with mum here trying to do the mum-thing' Robbie said 'I'm almost 16 Rox, she can't pretend to do the whole baby-thing over now can she?'
- 'Aren't you a little over exaggerating here Robbie, you looked pretty cosy with her last night, she's trying you know' Roxy said bouncing Amy on her hip.
- 'Seriously Rox, when I was watching telly she said she was gonna get a bottle, it turned out to be a bottle of wine for herself and a bottle of water for me to take upstairs, but still' Robbie said.
- 'You little nutter, now get out of bed, you need to help me out today ok' Roxy said 'common lazy bones'.
- 'Lazy bones?' Robbie said' you invented lazy Roxy and you ain't got a bone in your body'. Robbie started screaming out loud when Roxy started to tickle her again. Amy loved this so much that she started to laugh out loud and helped her mummy out.
- 'Well well this looks like fun in here, morning darling' Glenda said as she walked into Robbie's room.
- 'Muuuum, get her off of me please' Robbie said.
Glenda joined in and helped out Robbie and started tickling Roxy and Amy a little.
xxx
Round lunchtime Robbie walked over to the café to meet Peter for lunch.
- 'Hi Robbie' Jane said as Robbie walked into the café 'Peter is sitting over there'. Jane pointed out where Peter sat in the back.
- 'Hey' Peter said standing up, greeting Robbie with a little kiss. Robbie kissed Peter back and sat down.
- 'Oh Robbie dear' a voice said as Robbie turned around she saw it was Dot, her new step grandmother 'did you hear anything from Ronnie and Jack, did they had a good flight?'
- 'Ehm hi, ehm Dot, grandma B, something like that, yeah mum called last night, they had a good flight and they're gonna call me again tonight so i will tell them you said hello alright?' Robbie said 'you want some tea or something maybe?'
- 'Ah thank you dear, no i'm fine i already had a cup of tea, if you will say hi to them i will be pleased thank you Robbie that's very kind of you' Dot said as she wanted to walk back to her seat she turned back to Robbie 'and grandma Dot is fine if you want to call me that Robbie!' Robbie smiled, she never really experienced having a grandmother or grandfather so to have one now was a little strange, but Dot was like the sweetest old lady on the square so she felt lucky to have her around also.
- 'You're almost related to everyone on the square now are you?' Peter smiled.
- 'Yeah almost' Robbie said smiling back' so you're alright mister?'
- 'Yeah' Peter said 'you, i mean not having Ronnie around?'
- 'It's different, Glenda is trying to relive my whole childhood I think, mummy this mummy that, I know she's trying of course, but I can't help missing mum, i know it's just a couple of days' Robbie said 'I think I'm seeing things, I'm hearing things, I think I'm a little over exhausted from this whole adoption-wedding-honeymoon-moving-period the last couple of weeks'.
- 'What do you mean you're seeing or hearing things?' Peter asked.
- 'That's it, i'm not sure about it, i mean i know what i saw, i saw mum getting into the apartment while she said she was going to work at the bookies, i thought i 've seen her get into Phil's car, i mean what does she have to do with Phil?' Robbie said making a face of not understanding it all 'anywhoo i'm starving here mister' Robbie smiled at Peter.
- 'Alright alright, i'll go get us something 'Peter said giving Robbie another kiss on her cheek.
After lunch Peter and Robbie walked through Bridge-street when Robbie stopped 'look' she said pointing towards the park entrance where they saw Phil talking to Glenda, from the look of it, it wasn't a friendly conversation 'see what i mean, what could that be about?'
- 'Well what do you think they're talking about?' Peter asked as they stood still and watched Phil and Glenda.
- 'I haven't got a clue?' Robbie said' common we'll walk around the park, i need to help Roxy out with packing'.
- 'Alright, i got to get home also, i promised to take Bobby to the park play some ball' Peter said as they walked around the little park and were standing in front of nr 27.
- 'We'll text yeah' Robbie said putting her arms around Peter as they shared a loving kiss.
Then they heard someone clearing their throat behind them.
As the teens both looked around they saw Glenda standing their with her arms folded, raising one of her eyebrows.
- 'Oh hello mum' Robbie said' I was just inspecting Peters tongue, you were right Pete, it's actually quite long' Robbie said to provoke Glenda a little.
Peter gave Robbie a nudge to stop it.
- 'Goodbye Peter, and you Robin Branning Mitchell, you better get your bum inside!' Glenda said as she walked over pushing Robbie towards nr 27.
- 'I'll see you later mister' Robbie said winking at Peter who just shook his head and grinned at his cheeky girlfriend.
- 'I said inside Robin!' Glenda said pushing Robbie inside 'now upstairs and go pack your stuff or help your sister out'.
- 'What were you just talking to Phil about?' Robbie suddenly said looking at her mum.
- 'Phil?" Glenda tried to react surprised.
- 'Yes Phil 'Robbie said in the same way Glenda acted when asked' and don't try to deny it mum cause Peter saw it too, and to let you know, it's not the first time i saw you and Phil together, what are you up to mum"?' Robbie asked.
- 'What am I up to?' Glenda asked 'you better tone it down a little madam, and poke your nose into your own business, like maybe some boxes upstairs yeah'.
Glenda walked into the kitchen and left Robbie standing there. Robbie walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.
- 'Mum, you didn't answer my question, what's with you and Phil?' Robbie asked again.
- 'And I told you to tone it down and go upstairs!' Glenda said putting one hand on her hip looking serious at Robbie.
- 'If you're not gonna tell me, you probably got something to hide, come on tell me!' Robbie said not yet impressed by her mother getting sharp with her.
Glenda walked up to Robbie and grabbed one of Robbie's ears 'Remember when Ronnie told you what to do with these things, now you better keep that big mouth of yours shut and go upstairs now, I'm not warning you again Robin, now you better behave yourself or you can stay upstairs, you hear me!' Glenda said giving Robbie a little slap on her bum.
- 'Ouch,well thank god i still have one left that's still working mum!' Robbie said rubbing her ear and then turning around, walking out of the kitchen and got up the stairs where she heard Roxy singing to some music she had on, while packing.
- 'Well well, cut yourself loose from loverboy then?' Roxy asked as Robbie walked into her room and sat on her bed next to Amy who was playing with some of Roxy's shoes.
- 'Do you think mum is acting weird Rox?' Robbie said taking away the shoe Amy was holding and wanting to put it in her mouth.
- 'Mum?'Roxy said 'acting weird?'
- 'Yes, weird Roxy, you know abnormal' Robbie said taking another shoe out of Amy's mouth, who started to get irritated by her aunty taking away her playthings.
- 'I don't know what you mean by that Robbie, you gotta be more clear with me' Roxy said looking at Amy who started throwing a little fit at Robbie now that her auntie took a third shoe away from her mouth.
- 'God don't you feed her Rox, Amy stop it!' Robbie said giving her one of her plastic bracelet she wore. Amy immediately stopped crying and put the bracelet in her mouth.
- 'Little brat' Robbie said 'so?'
- 'I don't know Robbie, mum is mum' Roxy said 'ehm now why don't you get back to the packing ok, go on'. Robbie stood up sighing, looking annoyed at her older sister.
- 'You can be such a selfish co…'Robbie started.
- 'Oi do you want a slap?' Roxy said warning with her finger 'don't you even think about calling me that, now stop this nonsense and to your room Robbie and go pack!'.
Robbie rolled her eyes and left the room. She walked to her own room and started to pack some stuff again.
xxx
At night when Robbie was getting a drink from the fridge, Robbie's phone rang and it was Ronnie again.
- 'Hey mummy'
- 'Hey my little love, how are you holding up, have you packed everything yet?'
- 'Yeah well a lot, Rox and i have been busy packing today, and mum did her stuff'
- 'So it's a right mess at home then i can imagine'
- 'A lot of boxes around here yeah, but ehm how is you and dad doing, did you have fun today?'
- 'Yeah we went shopping today and saw some stuff here like the Eiffel-tower and we're waiting to get on this boat, it's like a little tour'
- 'And you're taking lot's of pictures right mum?'
- 'Yeah we already did, we've got a lot to show you sweetie, ehm your dad wants to say something'
Robbie waited until she heard Jack's voice.
- 'Hey my little munchkin how are you holding up?'
- 'Hi dad, yeah Ames and me miss you, oh and grandma Dot told me to say hi too'
- 'Oh she's grandma Dot now is she, tell her we're ok yeah, and give Amy a big kiss from dad yeah'
- 'I will, ehm dad?'
- 'Yes darling?'
- 'Is mum alright, it was like she handed me quickly over to you, i mean i wanted to talk to you of course but..'
- 'She's alright darling, think she's a little overwhelmed by being here in Paris, we've already seen so much, don't worry, your dad takes good care of your mummy alright'
- ' Alright dad, can I say goodbye to her then?'
- 'Yeah, we talk again to you tomorrow, love you munchkin'
- 'Love you too dad….mum?'
- 'Hey sweetie…ehm we're ready to get on the boat so have a good night babe and sleep well yeah, give everyone a big kiss from us ok?'
- 'I will don't worry, love you mum, we'll talk tomorrow!'
- 'Can't wait sweetie, kiss kiss'
- 'Right back at ya mumsy!'
Robbie put the phone down and took a sip from her juice.
- 'Was that Ronnie again?' Glenda asked as she walked in with some empty glasses she had collected from the livingroom.
- 'Yeah she said hi and a kiss' Robbie said making a kiss with her lips and walking out of the kitchen.
Glenda's eyes followed her youngest daughter out of the kitchen.
- 'Ehm sweetheart' Glenda called which made Robbie turn around.
- 'What?' Robbie reacted, she didn't know what to think of her mum Glenda, one moment she wanted to be a mother and the next moment she was wanting to do her own thing.
- 'Come here' Glenda said opening her arms 'come here darling'.
- 'Mum what are you doing?' Robbie said as she walked back into the kitchen where Glenda put her arms around Robbie.
- 'Thought you needed this?' Glenda said giving Robbie a kiss on the head.
- 'I need you to be straight with me mum, one moment you're doing the mum thing and then the other moment you seem to be so distant, like you're some other person i'm watching, like you forget there's us' Robbie said getting out of Glenda's arms and getting some crisps out of the cupboard.
- 'I thought you weren't that hungry when i made you tea?' Glenda said looking at the bag of crisps.
- 'I wasn't hungry for thát what you called tea' Robbie said smiling cheeky.
- 'Excuse me?' Glenda said looking a little offended at what Robbie just said.
- 'Can i go now' Robbie said quickly noticing Glenda's disappointment a little.
- 'It's not easy you know' Glenda said sitting down at the kitchen table.
- 'What, making tea?' Robbie asked surprised, really thinking Glenda meant tea.
- 'Are you taking the mick?' Glenda asked.
- 'See this is what i mean, i never get what you mean mum?' Robbie said.
- 'Unlike Ronnie?' Glenda asked.
- 'What do you mean by that?' Robbie asked.
- 'It's not easy…'Glenda started' it's not easy to walk in Ronnie's shadow'.
- 'You don't have to walk in Ronnie's shadow, I want you to just be yourself mum, i want to know who you are, i already got a "Ronnie", i also want the full Glenda' Robbie said.
Apparently Glenda was moved by what Robbie just said.
- 'She certainly has made sure of turning you into someone who knows what she stands for' Glenda said.
- 'Yeah well that isn't always a good thing, it can also get you into plenty of trouble you know' Robbie said.
Glenda smiled 'Why don't we grab another bag of crisps and we'll go watch some telly, or watch a movie maybe, …if you want of course?'
- 'Yeah ok, and why don't we open a bottle of champy cause we still have some left, and it just seems like a waste to leave it unopened' Robbie said trying to be smart.
- 'Don't push it little one!' Glenda said warning with her finger. They both walked back to the livingroom.
After watching some boring movie on telly Robbie was slouched down on the sofa and was yawning. Glenda, who was sitting on the other side of the sofa, was looking at her youngest daugther.
- 'Don't say it alright, I know what you're thinking' Robbie said rolling her eyes to her mother.
- 'Oh really and what is that darling?' Glenda asked smiling curious what Robbie was on about.
- 'That I look tired and should get ready for bed or something, am I right?' Robbie said.
- 'Well yeah, but that wasn't the only thing I was thinking' Glenda said 'I ehm… I told you before when I was pregnant with you you slept a lot in there'.
- 'Yeah, you had to wake me up to get me out right' Robbie said.
- 'Something like that yeah' Glenda said' You used to yawn like that just before I put you down for your nap or bed, you opened that tiny little mouth as far as you could, Roxy used to tease me with it saying I'd bore you, but it looked so cute that little mouth of yours'.
- 'Roxy was probably jealous, that you loved looking at me and that you had to put earplugs in when she needed a nap, she must have been screaming your ears off right?' Robbie said smiling slowly moving towards Glenda.
- 'You 3 were all as cute as ever, my three little babys' Glenda said putting her arms around Robbie just like the night before. Robbie laid her head on Glenda's lap and let her mum stroke her hair and face softly' I still have some pictures of the three of you together, one of you sleeping, one of me with my girls when I just got out of the hospital when you were born'.
- 'Can I see them mum?' Robbie asked.
- 'There upstairs somewhere in a box, I have one of the three of you,…let me see' Glenda grabbed her purse from the floor and got her wallet out, opened it and there was an old picture of Ronnie and Roxy sitting on a sofa, both holding Robbie in the middle. Robbie looked at it as if it was a picture of three different people.
- 'It seemed so long ago, I mean it's nothing I can remember of course' Robbie said.
- 'But we're making memories now right' Glenda said.
- 'Did you read me stories then?' Robbie asked.
- 'You were just a couple of months when I left, you weren't really into stories yet, but ehm, I used to walk with you in my arms, in your room or outside in the garden and then I would sing "How deep is your love" Take that was singing that at the time you were born, it was such a sweet song, already loved it when the BeeGees were singing it, it soothed you, you got all calm and then I put you down in your cot and you just slept' Glenda said 'I remember Roxy used to sing that Spice girl song "Zigga zigga" or something but you got all hyper from that, used to make you giggle a lot'.
- 'And mum?' Robbie asked.
- 'Well she had the magic touch, she didn't have to sing or anything as long as you were in her arms you were quiet, that ehm was not easy for me, but then she already was more a mum to you then me I guess, then your father and me were already having a lot of difficulties in our relationship, I mean that already started of course when I was pregnant with you, guess you must have felt the tension, after a fight I wanted to hold you to get calm myself, but then you started crying sometimes and you would not stop, then I would pass you on to Ronnie and she got you calm again. Then your father had another go at me, that I was worthless being a wife to him and now also being a worthless mother'.
- 'Well he always seemed to think he knew everything, I think if he hadn't been there and us girls had been together, we would all had been fine mum, he was an evil man, when you were at your lowest he could manage it to kick the last ground of under your feet, and to others always the charmer' Robbie said 'I'm glad he's gone'.
- 'Well without him I wouldn't have my three wonderful girls' Glenda said stroking her hand against Robbie's cheek.
- 'Yeah I guess' Robbie said yawning again slowly closing her eyes.