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Sarah had heard bits and pieces about this new lad Charlie over the course of the term. She was rather surprised Nick found him so interesting; he seemed quite different from Nick's other friends. It was nice that Nick had invited him over, she thought. It had been a long time since Nick had had a friend he felt comfortable bringing home, especially just the two of them. And she was interested to meet this boy.
Charlie, when he arrived, was a quiet sort who spoke when spoken to but otherwise seemed uncomfortable answering questions. Nothing unusual there. Most teenage boys reacted that way to their friends' mums, in Sarah's experience.
She read her book and had a leisurely Saturday, keeping one ear out for the sounds of two boys noisily enjoying themselves at MarioKart. Nick was loud, he was boisterous—he was laughing. She didn't hear enough laughter when he had his rugby friends over, and every time she heard him now she smiled in response.
When two sets of feet came thundering down the stairs, Sarah looked up in surprise, and saw what the boys had already seen: big beautiful flakes of snow coming down. She didn't blame them for wanting to go out in it. If Charlie weren't here, she would likely have gone to play with Nick and Nellie herself. But she was just as happy to read some more of her book and stay in where it was warm. She made sure the kettle was filled for hot cocoa when they came in, and then stood at the window watching them.
Her Nicky looked so natural, running around and throwing snowballs. He had always needed that outlet for his energy, to run and jump and shout and play. It was odd, Sarah thought, because otherwise he had never been a boisterous boy. More thoughtful, and sensitive, and gentle. But if he didn't get enough exercise—well, he could be cranky.
She watched them lie down and make snow angels, like much younger boys. She liked that in Charlie, too, that he was willing to be little and just have fun. The rugby lads would have been turning it into a battle, and they would never have made snow angels. Not that they were bad lads, just—a bit too aware of their teenage dignity.
Sarah turned away from the window. Nick was still talking Charlie's ear off, she could see. She hoped Charlie'd had a chance to get a few words in edgewise.
That was another change from the rugby boys. Nick was so quiet around them, keeping so much of himself inside. When it was just the two of them at home, Nick usually had so much to say, his face animated, using his hands to illustrate his words. Charlie had brought out that chatty side of him. She hoped he came round often, if Nick was this comfortable and this much himself around him.
She was deep into her book again when they came in, making a great deal of noise in the hall. Sarah got up and went to the door. "Hot cocoa, boys?"
"Yes, please, thanks, Mum," Nick said. He looked at the other boy. "Charlie?"
But Charlie, rather awkwardly, pleaded that he had to go, to Nick's obvious disappointment. He walked Charlie to the door, then came into the kitchen and made himself a cup of tea.
"Charlie seems like a lovely boy," Sarah said. "Where did you meet him?"
"Uh … couple of months ago. He's in my form."
She remembered that now, from the beginning of term. "He's very different to your other friends, isn't he? You seem much more yourself around him."
Nick turned around when she said that, frowning at her thoughtfully. "Do I?" he asked softly.
Sarah looked up at him and smiled, happy to see him so content. "You do."
"Oh." He took a swallow of the tea, and she waited for him to say something more, but there was nothing. Just a little smile.
"Is he coming back?" she asked.
"I don't know. I hope so."
"Good. He's welcome any time." She glanced up at Nicky, smiling. "But next time, I expect a proper tidying, not just shoving things under your bed."
He laughed. "You always know."
"I try to. Pizza and movie night still?"
"Yeah. Sounds good. I suppose you'll want to watch Mamma Mia?"
"If you don't mind."
"No, I like it." He put his mug in the sink. As he went past toward his room, he leaned over and put his arms around her and hugged her.
Sarah hugged him back, beaming.
"You're a good mum, you know that?"
"Thank you, baby. You make it pretty easy."
"Well, I don't know about that." He let go and she heard his feet on the stairs, with Nellie following. Sarah went back to her book with a light heart.