Finally, another chapter is posted. There's no excuse. I've just been lazy! -though I have got my enthusiasm for writing back. Please review if you get the chance, I'd really appreciate your thought. Best Wishes Mx

Mrs Richards hasn't arrived so I start making a batter for some pancakes and then chop some fruit for a salad. Mia and Hannah come to help me just as I start making the pancakes, grilling the bacon and poaching some eggs.

'You've been busy.' Mia says.

'I'm hungry.' I say. 'Baby what will you eat this morning?'

'Just some toast and some of your fruit salad.' Hannah says. I smile at her, at least this is an improvement to yesterday.

'Mia, are you happy with pancakes and bacon?' I ask.

'Yes and eggs, I'm hungry as well this morning.' Mia says. 'Are we heading to the zoo for opening time?'

'Yes it will be quieter and cooler then, are you OK with that Hannah?' I ask.

'Yes of course.' Hannah says.

'We can stop for lunch on the way back and then spend the afternoon by the pool.' I say.

'What time are Jonty, Adam and Josie arriving?' Hannah asks.

'Sometime this afternoon. Jonty will call and I'll tell him to head here when they're ready. Taylor and Sawyer did check the security of his house and it would be OK but I will feel more relaxed here at the moment after last night.' I say. 'Are we eating outside on the terrace?'

'Yes. Let me help you load up the trays.' Mia says as I open the freezer. 'Matt no, you cannot have ice cream for breakfast.'

'Why? Mom's not here.' I say and smirk at her.

'And you can wipe that cheeky smile off your face.' Mia says but she's laughing at me.

'You most certainly can Matthew Grey.' Mrs Richards says as she enters the kitchen. 'What are you doing?'

'Cooking breakfast.' I reply.

'In a wetsuit which was covered in sand that is now all over the kitchen floor. You're as bad as your father.' Mrs Richards scolds but she is smiling.

'He did this.' I say.

'All the time, a surf before breakfast and he was always in here trailing the sand around the house. I never understood why he did it because if he surfed later in the day he got changed at the shed before coming up to the house.' Mrs Richards says.

'I'm sorry I didn't think. I was just hungry.' I mutter.

'Like father like son.' Mrs Richards says. 'Go and eat, I'll clean up in here.'

'You're not mad.' I say.

'No not at all. I wouldn't even be cross if you did it every day that you're here.' Mrs Richards says. I smile shyly at her.

'Please Mrs Richards just tell him off. He's already unbearable and is even having ice cream with his breakfast.' Mia says. 'He'll think he can get away with anything.'

'He can, as long as it's not illegal or dangerous.' Mrs Richards says. I smirk at Mia and stick my tongue out. 'You can change at the shed after you've eaten though. I'd rather not have the sand through the rest of the house.'

'No worries Mrs R.' I say and go to hug her.

'Pippa is going to love you.' Mrs Richards says as she hugs me back.

'Who's Pippa?' I ask.

'Your housekeeper in London.' She says.

'Oh Mrs Bridger. You know her.' I say.

'Of course, that's why I'm a bit late this morning. We were talking on the phone and she can't wait to see you.' She says. 'We were at school together.'

'Girlfriend?' I ask.

'Not your daddy's. Go and eat. I'll tell you more later.' She says. I pick up one of the trays and follow Mia and Hannah outside.

'You are so spoilt Matt Grey.' Hannah says as we sit down.

'I know.' I say quietly. I start to eat and leave Mia and Hannah to chat about our trip to the zoo and whether we will have time to stop at any shops on the way back.

'I'm going to change out of this wetsuit.' I mutter as I stand to leave the table.

'Are you OK?' Mia asks.

'Yes.' I say and make to leave.

'You're not, you're brooding about something. Hannah go with him and try and get it out of him whilst I clear the dishes away.' Mia says before hugging me. 'Don't be worrying about anything and thanks for making breakfast baby bro.'

'You're welcome and it's nothing. If I was that worried I wouldn't have eaten.' I say as I hug her back. I then take Hannah's hand and kiss the back of it. 'Let's go for a walk and have some alone time.'

'OK but will you tell me what's bothering you. You didn't say a word through breakfast.' Hannah says.

'It's nothing.' I mutter. 'Did you enjoy your fruit salad?'

'Yes it was delicious thank you but stop trying to change the subject. Is it something I've done?' Hannah asks.

'No baby, not at all.' I say and bring her hand to my lips once more. 'Let me get out of this wetsuit and back into my shorts and then we'll go for a walk in the shallow surf.'

'And then you'll tell me.' Hannah says.

'Maybe.' I mutter. I take off the wetsuit easily and drag my shorts on and then head out onto the beach once more. Hannah and I walk side by side towards the waters' edge. The cool water laps my feet and I start to relax.

'Matt, please talk to me. I love you and want to help you.' Hannah says.

'You love me.' I say quietly.

'You know I do, why do you doubt me?' Hannah says. I look at her with my wide eyes. 'Jeez Matt, just tell me what you're thinking.'

'I'm scared people only like me cos of who my mommy and daddy were.' I say in almost a whisper.

'Because Mrs Richards let you get away with getting sand all over the kitchen floor.' Hannah says and I nod. 'Oh Matt, Mrs Richards doesn't just like you, she absolutely adores you. She's going to be heartbroken when we leave here.'

'Really.' I say.

'Yes really and you know how much your family love you just because you're you.' Hannah says. I nod uncertainly.

'Remember they told you before we left to come here and then look how your brothers flew thousands of miles just to see you for one day.' Hannah says.

'It does help that one of them has a jet.' I say but smirk at her.

'That's better, you're smiling at last.' She says and hugs me. 'Let's walk back slowly, you need a shower and then we can go to the zoo.'

'I'm so excited, I haven't been to this zoo for years.' I say as I kick the water in the air.

'You're so mercurial. I don't think I can keep up with you.' Hannah says. I grin at her before picking her up and spinning her round. 'You're in a good mood again.'

'The best.' I say with a huge grin.

'So you've been to this zoo before.' Hannah says.

'Yes I think I was eight the last time and we came here for Christian's eighteenth birthday though we didn't stay at this house. Christian has a framed photo of the two of us coming out of the surf together and we're grinning at each other. I also came here when I was about twelve and then again at fourteen. The first time Mia came and then it was just me. Mom was on a conference at the hospital both times so dad and I played golf and hiked to the top of Diamond Head but we didn't do the zoo. I think we surfed lots and just relaxed by the hotel pool.' I say. 'I came lots though with mommy and daddy and we probably went to the zoo every time but I don't remember.'

'What did you do for your eighteenth birthday?' Hannah asks.

'Nothing.' I mutter and Hannah looks at me. 'I didn't want any fuss, we were in the middle of exams. Christian bought me a new car in his usual over the top way. You had a party for yours didn't you?'

'Yes, which you didn't turn up to.' Hannah says though she's smiling at me.

'I did apologise when I saw you at school on the Monday.' I say.

'Yes something came up unexpectedly was your excuse though I did forgive you after the present you gave me.' She says.

'It was the least I could do and believe it or not it took me forever to save for.' I say.

'It was the thought you put into the gift though that was special.' Hannah says. 'Even my mom loved it.'

'My mom did too, so much so that she gave me the money to order another for myself. She had to help me dig out some of the old photos though and then the time it took to scan everything and compile took me a whole weekend. I'm glad you liked it.' I say.

'It was the nicest present anyone ever gave me.' She says. I give her a surprised look. 'Matt it was, we weren't even going out then and you took the time to find all the photos of us together from when we started school and arrange them in order in the beautiful photobook. It was really special.'

'Like you. I think I loved you even then.' I say. 'You know there has never been anyone else and there never will be.'

'I know, I love you.' Hannah says and turns to hug and kiss me.

'No lip kissing just yet, hopefully not much longer now.' I say as we approach the house. 'I need to go and see Mrs Richards so that she can massage this shoulder and then I will shower so we can go out.'

'OK, I'll go and call my mom now.' Hannah says.

'Love you baby, I'll come and find you soon.' I say as I hug her goodbye and kiss her cheek. I make my way straight to the kitchen and find Mrs Richards cleaning up the mess I made earlier. 'Can I help you?' I ask her.

'No not at all. You can make as much mess as you like and I won't mind but I will get cross with you if you forget to take your medication.' Mrs Richards says seriously.

'I'm sorry, I'll take them now.' I say.

'And I need to look at your shoulder.' She says.

'I know, that's why I came here first. We're going to the zoo and then some friends who are flying in today are coming over later.' I say as I sit on one of the chairs and take my t-shirt off. Mrs Richards starts to massage.

'This feels so much better already.' She says.

'It doesn't hurt anymore.' I say.

'Would you like me to cook for you and your friends later?' she asks.

'No not at all, it's the weekend. I didn't really expect you here today. If we decide to eat here then we'll just all pitch in to make something.' I say.

'Are they staying over? Do you want me to make up some rooms?' she asks.

'No, Jonty's parents live quite close so they'll be staying there.' I say.

'Oh I know his parents and I've met him a few times.' Mrs Richards says.

'Really, he's never said.' I say.

'I don't suppose he made the connection, especially as you haven't stayed here for a long time.' Mrs Richards says.

'I know. I was just talking to Hannah about how often I've been here with mom and dad but we always stayed in a hotel.' I say.

'I know.' She says. 'I saw you lots without you realising.'

'You did. How?' I ask.

'Dan and I would have a table near you in a restaurant or if he was at the conference with your mom then I would sit by the hotel pool and watch you play in the water, or I'd be pretending to sunbathe on the beach whilst you surfed.' Mrs Richards says.

'But the others didn't say.' I mutter.

'They probably didn't realise it was me, though Elliot did when you came for Christian's birthday. He bumped into me at the supermarket and then in the hotel lobby.' She says.

'Mrs Bridger in London has she seen me like you have, you know at the coping together ball and when we've been to England.' I say.

'She comes to the ball but only every other year. You've only been to England a couple of times and she saw you once but she also saw you in Paris.' Mrs Richards says.

'I didn't know.' I say.

'I know you didn't but Grace didn't want you getting upset.' She says.

'I think I've been a nightmare to bring up.' I mutter.

'I don't think Grace sees it like that, she's loved every minute of it.' Mrs Richards says. 'Even the week where she got called into the principal's office every day for some mischief you'd been up to.'

'You know how naughty I was.' I say in horror.

'Oh yes, Grace and I would often chuckle over your antics.' Mrs Richards says and I groan.

'You said earlier that Mrs Bridger wasn't daddy's girlfriend.' I say.

'She wasn't, she was your Uncle Nick's first wife. They were together for about four or five years. Your daddy and me used to go out with them on double dates sometimes. They got married at eighteen but were divorced about two years later, I'm not sure why but I think it was to do with some business dealings that he was doing. She travelled the world and then when your daddy bought the London house she started working for him, she also looks after the Paris apartment and the villa in Spain.' Mrs Richards says.

'She's my auntie.' I say.

'She would have been, remember she was divorced long before you arrived.' Mrs Richards says before adding. 'Matt, we've all done what we thought was best for you. You were fragile after the accident. Grace just wanted you to be happy, we all did. I know all about your life, your fears about change, the food issues.'

'The worry that I'm not good enough to be part of the family or that I don't belong because I wasn't chosen like the others but dumped on mom and dad, the thinking that people only like me because of who my mommy and daddy were to them.' I say almost angrily.

'No I'm sorry I didn't realise you thought like that.' She says. 'I didn't mean to upset you. Matt everyone loves you just for being you. Once Grace phoned to let me know you were coming I was so excited but also nervous about meeting you properly again.'

'Why? In case you didn't like me.' I ask.

'There was no danger of that. I've loved you since the minute you were born. I was worried you wouldn't like being here and wouldn't like me.' Mrs Richards says. I look at her shyly and smile.

'I love being here, it feels so right like its home and that I haven't missed coming here for thirteen years. I feel the same about you as well, it's almost like there's never been a gap in time and you feel more like family to me than the housekeeper. I love you Mrs R.' I say and give her a hug.

'Oh Matt, you'll have me in tears.' She says as she hugs me back.

'I'm sorry, I never seem to be able to do anything right.' I say.

'Don't doubt yourself. You're doing great.' She says.

'Yes but am I supposed to tell you that I love you. I doubt Christian does that with Mrs Jones.' I say.

'Don't worry what Christian does, you're your own person. I love the fact that you're so open and we can have these conversations. He probably doesn't talk to Mrs Jones like we do together.' Mrs Richards says.

'I suppose our relationship is slightly different as well seeing as you knew my daddy so well which is why I feel I can talk to you like we do.' I say.

'Have we got time to call your grandma now? She should still be up, I did speak to her last night.' She says.

'So she is expecting me to speak at some point.' I say.

'Yes, but only if you want to.' Mrs Richards says reassuringly.

'I'm nervous.' I say quietly.

'Let's get it over and done with then.' She says as she picks up the phone and dials. 'Hi Nick, I wasn't expecting you to answer.' 'Yes all is well.' 'Good, though one step at a time, I think it's best if he talks to Julie first.' Mrs Richards says as she glances at me. 'Hi Julie, yes Matthew is here and waiting to talk to you, I'll put him on now.' She says and hands me the phone. I gulp and take a deep breath and wonder what I'm going to say.

'Hello Matty.' My Grandma says, referring to the name she used when I was a small boy. Her voice takes me back, I remember her and can picture her.

'Gamma.' I say and she gasps, even Mrs Richards takes in a sharp breath and I look at her.

'Oh Matty, it's so good to hear your voice. You're the only person that has ever called me that.' She says.

'Please can I come and see you, I fly to London in two weeks.' I say.

'Of course, I'd be delighted.' Grandma says. 'Your mom has all the details but hopefully we can speak again before you come.'

'I'd like that.' I say. 'Gamma can I ask you a question?'

'Of course darling.' She says.

'Have you ever been to the Coping Together ball?' I ask.

'Not for a few years but yes I have.' She says.

'Has Uncle Nick?' I ask.

'Yes, he came with me.' She says. 'We just wanted to see you darling.'

'Did mom know you were there?' I ask.

'No. I'm sorry Matty, we bought the tickets under a different name because we were frightened we wouldn't be able to come.' She says. 'It's easy to hide behind the masks and remain anonymous.'

'That's OK. I'll phone you again soon but I'm aware that's it's late in England and I'll really look forward to meeting you properly again Gamma. Please could I speak to Uncle Nick if he wants to speak to me before I go.' I say.

'He will want to speak to you and thank you for calling darling.' She says.

'That's ok Gamma, I'll speak to you soon.' I say. I breathe deeply again as I wait for her to hand the phone over.

'Hello, Matty.' Uncle Nick says. I stand and walk to the other side of the kitchen. I feel the tears threaten as I hear his voice, it's like daddy's.

'I'm sorry, hearing your voice, it's like…..it's like…I'm sorry.' I say. I feel a hand on my shoulder and when I turn Mrs Richards is there.

'You're doing great.' She says encouragingly.

'Uncle Nick.' I say.' 'Please could I meet you when I come to London?' I find myself saying.

'Are you sure?' he asks. 'Do you know what happened between me and your daddy?'

'Yes I know what happened but that was years ago, I just want to meet you and find out things. People reckon I'm the most forgiving person they know but that might not be the case when I see you. I won't know until I meet you.' I say. 'You're going to be the person who is most like my daddy, you sound like him and it was a shock to hear you. Do you look like he did?'

'Slightly, you could tell we were brothers. I regret what I did all those years ago and the worst thing is if I'd just asked him for the money he would have given it to me. We were the best of friends until then.' He says.

'I know, that's why I need to see you. I can't promise after the first time that I'll want to see you again but I just feel this is something I need to do.' I say.

'I can understand that and I appreciate your honesty.' He says.

'Thank you. I need to go now but will call soon to make arrangements to meet you and Gamma.' I say and hear him take in a sharp breath in shock at my word.

'You remembered.' He says.

'Yes, it just came to me when I heard her voice.' I say.

'You'll have a made an old lady very happy.' He says.

'Hopefully she'll feel the same way when she sees me in a couple of weeks.' I say.

'I'm sure she will, take care Matty. We'll see you soon.' He says.

'OK Uncle Nick, Bye.' I say as I click the phone off. Mrs Richards takes one look at me and gives me a hug.

'You OK.' She says when she pulls away.

'I will be. I think the zoo is just what I need to distract me.' I say.

'I'll write the phone number down and then you can call again when you need to.' She says. 'I'm so proud of you and how you just handled that.'

'Thanks, I'm shaking. Do you think I'm doing the right thing by seeing Uncle Nick?' I ask.

'Matt only you will know the answer to that. Nick will understand if the meeting only last five minutes or five hours and if you meet again that's entirely up to you, remember you're in control of this situation and you can take or leave what you want from it.' She says.

'Were they similar to each other?' I ask.

'Very, their mannerisms, sense of humour, the way they spoke, their looks.' She says.

'What if it's too much? What if I make a mess of it?' I ask.

'You'll be fine. When you speak to him again tell him how you feel. Remember he'll be incredibly nervous about meeting you as well. He'll want to make sure you're happy with the situation and won't want to cause any upset.' She says. I nod. 'Go and get ready to go out and enjoy your day. If you find you do need anything then call, you know where I am.'

'OK, and thanks Mrs R for everything.' I say as I give her a hug before leaving the kitchen.