It was Thursday morning and Ronnie and Jack were drinking coffee while Robbie was still in the bathroom taking her shower.
Ronnie yawned and was staring at the news paper laying on the table.
- 'You alright darling?' Jack asked noticing the silence of his wife.
- 'Yeah, just didn't get much sleep, Robbie was on my mind all night, that big mouth of hers, and then her party wondering if we haven't forgotten anything, Phil, mum, Ian, Shirley, Roxy's money still, kept me awake most of the night?' Ronnie asked 'at one point I got out of bed and sat in the livingroom, Robbie's door was open and heard her talk in her sleep, didn't you hear it, she was so restless again?'.
- 'Really, no ehm… didn't hear it, so what was she saying?' Jack asked.
- 'Well I had to get in to her room to listen really to what she was mumbling about, but ehm oh she was rambling on dozens of stuff, her birthday, think a little fight with Rox again, and everything that has been going on, you know it keeps that little head busy' Ronnie said grinning a little.
- 'You want me to take her to the café for breakfast so you can go back to bed for couple of hours maybe?' Jack asked.
- 'You sure?' Ronnie said' cause that would be really lovely yeah, thanks babe'.
- 'Yeah, ofcourse, I can handle the deliveries this morning myself, no problem, then if you come in later on we can go over if we got everything for tomorrow' Jack said.
- 'Alright…yeah sounds good' Ronnie said as Robbie walked into the kitchen in a t-shirt and some pj-bottoms, walking over to the radioset and turning it on 'morning mum, ehm… can I have scrambled eggs please, with toast, dad that soap dispenser-thingy fell off?' she asked sitting down on one of the chairs.
- 'I told you to carefully use that Robbie, and please turn the radio off babe, mummy got a headache' Ronnie said.
- 'I did mum, really dad it just fell off as I touched it' Robbie said looking at Ronnie while turning the radio off again .
- 'It's alright darling, it's been a bit crooked for a while now, I'll have a look at it, maybe buy a new one' Jack said' ehm why don't you go and get dressed for school and I'll take you to the café for breakfast, your mum's a little tired'.
- 'How come?' Robbie asked looking at Ronnie already knowing what would be the answer 'Look mummy ehm…i'm sorry bout last night if that's what you kept you up?'
- 'I'm alright, just try to behave a little alright, and then I mean, try to think before you open that gob of yours, and I'm serious Robbie, last night you were acting like an obnoxious little brat and I don't like it one bit when you behave like that' Ronnie said taking a sip of her coffee.
- 'I'll try?' Robbie said.
- 'Yeah you better try and hard or you have me to answer to, heard about your behavior last night!' Jack said looking serious at Robbie.
- 'Sorry alright, you go back to bed then mum and I'll see you after another boring day of school' Robbie said giving Ronnie a kiss on the cheek .
- 'Alright, now I want you to go upstairs first and apologize to your sister, and then after, you and Jack can go have breakfast ' Ronnie said 'he will also get you lunch from the café yeah'
- 'Yeah sure' Robbie said.
- 'And no trouble alright, I've told you last night I'm getting a little bit tired of it!' Ronnie said standing up.
- 'It's not always my fault mum' Robbie said trying to defend herself.
Ronnie raised her eyebrow to Robbie.
- 'What?' Robbie said 'are you saying it is?
- 'No but in some way you'll always look it up Robbie' Jack said putting his tie on 'you should try keeping your mouth shut, think first before you open it' .
- 'Whatever'Jack, I'll be at Roxy's again this afternoon right?' Robbie asked not wanting to talk about her troublemaking anymore.
- 'Oi, don't whatever me yeah!' Jack said looking serious at Robbie who obviously was impressed by Jack's words
- 'Your dad is right, and upstairs with Roxy you mean ' Ronnie said 'you're still grounded so I don't want you at the salon, I don't know if Rox is gonna be home this afternoon, if not you just stay here yeah, do your homework, think mum will be home round 5 today'.
- 'Mum, I can be alone here, don't worry' Robbie said.
- 'Thát is my worry, you'll sneak off or get into any other sort of mischief' Ronnie said.
- 'I'm not, really mum, I'm not 5' Robbie said pouting.
- 'End off Robbie, this is all result of your own actions, you keep getting yourself in trouble and you think that, a day after, I forgotten all about it, but I'm not, alright, now go and get dressed!' Ronnie said a little strict.
She knew she could be too soft with Robbie sometimes while on the other hand be the very strict disciplinarian, but she also knew that when she went just a little soft on Robbie, she immediately took advantage of it. Now after last night she hoped Robbie would get the picture, but on the other hand she realized that Robbie was still a kid, a teenager, and a mouthy one.
- 'Oh alright alright, grumpy!' Robbie said walking away, a little annoyed, to her room.
Ronnie looked at Jack, then got up and followed Robbie into her bedroom and grabbed Robbie by her arm 'didn't you just hear what I said Robbie, you're not getting your way and you're not gonna sulk about it, is that clear Robbie?'
- 'Whatever mum' Robbie said pushing Ronnie's hand away.
- 'And stop talking back to me Robin!' Ronnie said now grabbing Robbie's chin 'remember what I said last night, you still wanna go over to the Vic tomorrow, cause we could easily stay at home if you want, forget about that whole birthday of yours, we could skip it this year if you want, hmm, cause I would tone down a little if I were you, is that understood?'
- 'Yes, sorry mum, god please go back to bed and get some sleep yeah' Robbie said sitting down on her bed.
- 'Stop trying to have the last word with me Robin, now enough, go and get dressed before I smack you one!' Ronnie said looking serious at Robbie.
Jack then walked in to see what was going on ; 'you wanna celebrate your birthday tomorrow Robbie, I'm thinking you're not up for it, especially when you're behaving like this, now drop that lip of yours alright, I want you to apologize to your mum right now!'
- 'I'm sorry mum' Robbie said immediately knowing this was all sounding too serious' and can I have my phone back please, I mean i might not deserve it but then you can call me and I can call you yeah?'.
Ronnie sighed 'You are unbelievable, you know that, and it's only for that, cause otherwise I would not give it back to you, I rather give you something else but you know that right, you don't deserve it really, not at all!'.
- 'I know mum' Robbie said 'I'm really sorry, ….and thanks, I know that I don't deserve it'.
- 'Now get dressed and get upstairs to apologize to Roxy, i'll be there waiting , gonna see Amy' Jack said strict and walked out of the room.
Robbie wanted to say something back automatically but could hold it in, she knew her mum was really out of patience with her, on the edge, and she could see Jack was serious too, but as soon as Ronnie and Jack left her room she sighed 'moody!'
xxx
A little while later, Ronnie had gone back to bed and fell asleep as soon as she hit her pillow. Robbie walked up the stairs to her sister, Amy and her mum Glenda's apartment. Roxy was still dressed in her nightgown sitting on the sofa, Glenda was applying her make-up and Jack was trying to feed Amy some cereal.
- 'Well well well if it isn't Gobby McCheeky ' Roxy said as Robbie said down on the armchair 'crawled back up to face us then?'
Robbie sighed and was fidgeting with her phone on the armrest.
- 'Robbie?' Jack said making clear she didn't come up just to sit there without saying anything.
- 'I'm sorry' Robbie said softly.
- 'Eh, I didn't quite hear you Robbie, you mum?' Roxy said not wanting to let Robbie get off that easy.
- 'No not really' Glenda said 'what was that Robin?'
- 'Sorry, I said that I'm sorry for my behavior last night alright' Robbie said louder, keeping her head hang down.
- 'Will you look at me please, so I can see that you mean it Robbie?' Roxy asked, trying in a little strict voice.
Robbie looked at her sister with a cheeky smile on her face 'that's still not working Rox'.
- 'What is?' Roxy asked looking from Robbie to Jack who didn't understand what Robbie meant either.
- 'That voice you're talking with, you can't be seri…' Robbie started grinning a bit cheeky.
- 'Are you trying to take the mick Robbie?' Roxy asked 'you didn't have enough Ronnie on your back last night then'. Roxy stood up and Robbie also got up and wanted to walk away but Roxy got hold of her little sisters arm.
- 'Just drop it yeah, you were way out of line last night and taking the mick now isn't going to make you look any better ' Roxy said 'enough is enough alright, now you came here to say sorry so say it like you mean it and not try to make a fool of us again alright'.
Robbie didn't really know where to look and looked at Amy who was trying to get her attention by calling her 'Wobbie no no, Wobbie up' Amy was reaching out to Robbie so Robbie walked over to her.
- 'Can I pick her up, did she eat enough dad?' Robbie asked.
- 'Robbie you can pick her up after you apologize to Roxy and Glenda' Jack said.
- 'I'm sorry Roxy ánd mum, mum I'm sorry for my behavior last night' Robbie said then pulled Amy out of her highchair and gave her a hug
- 'Thank you darling' Glenda said 'I don't want any of that behavior anymore or you gonna find mý hands on your backside alright'.
Robbie nodded as she put Amy down on the floor when she started fidgeting.
- 'Same goes for me Pix, but there won't be a next time, am I right?' Roxy said with one hand on her hips.
- 'You know I can't promise you that' Robbie said.
- 'Robbie?' Jack said sighing.
- 'I'm just being honest dad, I mean I can say or promise it's not going to happen again,but I'm a kid, a teenager, so get real cause I am, what do you think, in 14 years this one here will be the same right Ames' Robbie said winked at Amy who was just smiling.
- 'Come here' Roxy said spreading her arms and pulling Robbie into a hug 'but you're going to try right?'
- 'Yeah, I wil' Robbie said putting her arm around her older sister 'it's not that I don't love you anymore or something like that, cause you know I always will'.
- 'Yeah I know' Roxy said.
- 'No that's what you are suppose to say to me now' Robbie said giving Roxy a kiss and smiling cheeky again.
Jack started grinnig a little.
- 'A brat you are you know that don't you' Roxy said who also had a little grin appearing on her face.
- 'Come on, we gotta get to the café and get you some breakfast or else you're going to be late for school' Jack said.
- 'Alright' Robbie said walking over to Glenda 'have a good day today mum, I'll probably see you here tonight right?'
- 'Yeah I'm gonna make us tea tonight, Roxy's working late today right Rox?' Glenda said.
- 'Yeah, I am, so I'm not going to be here' Roxy said giving Robbie a little slap on her bum 'you also have a good day yeah, learn something'.
xxx
A little later in the Café, Robbie and Jack were sitting at a booth, Jack was having coffee and Robbie was eating breakfast.
- 'You alright darling, you've haven't said anything since we've been here?' Jack asked looking at Robbie looking up to him.
- 'Well, the argument mum and me had, she was pretty moody with me' Robbie said.
- 'Your mum being moody with you cause you don't know when to stop Robbie' Jack said 'And I think you've got a good warning last night or not, now a lot has been going on, and you have been getting away with a lot of it, just think of that, you being lippy all the time should stop, especially to your mum alright, or me for that matter'.
- 'I'm sorry' Robbie said 'I know I sometimes open my mouth where I can better keep it shut right'.
- 'Yeah something like that, I mean it keeps getting you into trouble' Jack said putting his hand on Robbie's 'now finish your breakfast ok, and then this afternoon you give your mum a big cuddle yeah!'
- 'Yeah alright' Robbie said eating the last bite of sausage and standing up as Billy walked in and stood by the counter followed by Julie and some blond girl 'I'll see you this afternoon dad ok'.
- 'Yeah have a good day peanut' Jack said as Robbie gave him a kiss 'you got your sandwiches then?'
- 'Yes they're in my bag, thanks' Robbie said walking up to the counter as also Max walked in.
- 'Robbie, I ehm want you to meet someone this is…' Billy said as he turned to Robbie.
- 'Sorry Billy, got school to attend, I'm already late and in as much trouble as I can be in alright, dad' is in the back uncle Max, hey Jules' Robbie said as she passed the people at the counter.
- 'Stuck up cow' the blond girl said standing next to Julie.
- 'Oi, you don't know her Lola' Julie said 'with this attitutde you'll never get connected to anyone here'.
- 'Nice one Billy' Max said grinning and raising his eyebrows to the girl, then walked over to see his brother.
- 'So what's this then, daddy-duty, where's Ronnie?' Max asked laughing a little.
- 'Yeah, just breakfast, Ronnie hardly slept last night and went back to bed, so took the peanut out here' Jack said smiling back at his older brother.
- 'Ehm Jack, sorry to disturb you but ehm, well I want you to meet someone, come here Lola' Billy said as he had walked behind Max to Jack's table 'this is Lola, she's my granddaughter, I ehm, well Julie and me just found out we had a son, he passed away recently but now we have a granddaughter Lola, she's a Mitchell so related to Ronnie and Robbie, and you ofcourse'.
- 'Hiya Lola, I'm Jack, this is my brother Max' Jack said introducing himself properly.
- 'Yeah alright' Lola said keeping her hands in her pockets.
- 'So ehm Jack, me and Julie were wondering about Robbie's party tomorrow if it's alright if we bring Lola, she's staying with us you see?' Billy asked.
- 'Are you serious Bill, you just said she's your granddaughter, so she's family right' Max said.
- 'It's no problem Billy, lot's of kids will be there' Jack said' Just be sure not to mention it to Robbie ok, it's still a surpriseparty yeah' Jack said 'We'll see you tomorrow then'.
Billy nodded and Julie smiled and pushed Lola to a table and the three sat down.
- 'So the party's already then?' Max asked putting his coffee down.
- 'Yeah, having everything delivered today as for drinks and all, Jane is making most of the snacks, and Ron, Rox, Christian and Glenda are gonna do decorations and all, we hired a DJ, Roxy wanted to do it, and we thought about Fatboy, but we just wanted someone that doesn't get distracted, he's going to do all kinds of styles of music, should be good!' Jack said.
- 'Sounds good, at 7 right?' Max asked.
- 'Yeah be sure to be on time, we really want everyone there to surprise her' Jack said.
Xxx
In the afternoon Robbie walked through Bridgestreet coming home from school. The rest of her friends went to the park again but Robbie had told Peter that she'd better should go home and avoid getting into more trouble especially with her birthday tomorrow, she wouldn't dare to get her mum so angry she would cancel the whole gathering at the Vic, cause she knew she would, her mum loved her very much she knew that, but when she was really out of line, Ronnie didn't do excuses.
Although it would probably be celebrated anyway since it was her 16th, she didn't want to take any risks. There had been times Robbie thought she could wind Ronnie round her finger but Ronnie had stand her ground a couple of times by having things canceled while Robbie thought she would never do that.
Robbie strolled by the Vic and saw Michael standing outside talking to some old guy. As she passed by, she could feel Michael 's eyes following her.
- 'You want something?' She asked as she stopped and looked at him.
- 'Excuse me?' the older man asked.
- 'Dad it's alright, I'll handle this' Michael said walking over to Robbie 'you're of to home then?'
- 'Why what's it to you?' Robbie asked.
Michael smiled to the man, then turned serious in his face again when he turned back to Robbie.
- 'Don't have to…I can tell, you can't hide anything from me' Michael said.
- 'Whatever weirdo' Robbie said and wanted to walk away.
- 'So…anybody know about that window yet, ...Phil for instance?' Michael then said suddenly.
Robbie stood still and started to shiver as Michael mentioned the window.
- 'Hmm, what's that you said…' Michael said with a smirk 'hmm let me guess…nothing, I actually shut you up now didn't I?'
Robbie turned around and looked at Michael who had a vicious grin on his face.
She then turned around again and quickly walked home, she didn't know how to react anymore, Michaels voice and face was printed in her head "So…anybody know about that window yet…Phil for instance"
When she walked into the apartment she closed the door and slowly sat on the floor , still shivering.