Chapter Sixty-Seven
The twins come home for the weekend. I knew that I had to bite the bullet and own up to the things that had been going on in my life – matters that had not yet touched their orbit.
‘Hey,’ I said, walking into the kitchen.
James was in the process of raiding the fridge, all set to return to his room and junk out with the latest game.
Joy was in the larder searching for biscuits.
She was also whispering into the phone clamped to her ear.
I had no idea how the pair of them stayed so slim given the calories they consumed between meals – especially as we’d not long since had a breakfast fry-up.
‘Wotcha, Mum,’ drawled James. He reversed out the refrigerator. ‘Just feeling a bit peckish,’ he explained sheepishly.
I looked at the plate in his hand. It contained a pork pie, a hunk of cheese, and some pickled onions.
‘Fine,’ I acknowledged. ‘But I’d like you to have it at the table.’
‘No can do,’ he said. ‘Other players are waiting for me. We’re on a quick break.’
‘Sorry to inconvenience you, James, but I have something to say.’
Joy glanced at me in surprise and quickly ended her call.
‘What’s up?’ she said, grabbing a packet of jammy dodgers.
‘Nothing – as such.’
‘Oooh, mother,’ Joy teased. She placed the biscuits on the table. ‘I’m detecting a serious vibe.’
‘You sound like Hetty,’ said James to his sister. Nonetheless, he put down his contraband and pulled out a chair.
‘What’s up?’ said Joy, sitting down.
Two pairs of almost identical eyes stared up at me. It was slightly unnerving. I gulped and pulled out a chair for myself.
‘So,’ I quavered, settling into my seat, and then fussing with the sleeves of my cardigan.
‘So,’ James repeated, a grin spreading across his face. ‘Whatever it is, it must be quite momentous, because you’re looking all funny.’
‘What do you mean, funny?’ I protested.
‘Like someone who’s found a pound on the floor only to discover it’s a gold sovereign.’
‘I disagree,’ said Joy. She tilted her head. ‘Mum looks more… mushy.’
‘Like peas?’ James ventured.
‘No.’ Joy was regarding me with an unwavering gaze. ‘More like a Valentine’s box of heart-shaped chocolates with gooey centres.’
‘Yeah,’ James agreed. ‘You’re right, sis.’ The pair of them were now eyeing me speculatively. ‘And the soft centres are pink to match our mother’s complexion.’
‘Give it a rest,’ I grumbled, willing my flaming cheeks to cool down.
‘Spill the beans,’ said James. He popped a pickled onion in his mouth.
Joy slapped her forehead, as if having a lightbulb moment.
‘You’ve got a boyfriend,’ she declared.
‘Whaaat?’ said James, nearly spitting out his pickled onion.
‘I… I...’ I stuttered.
‘Aye aye, indeed,’ said Joy knowingly. She looked at her brother. ‘Told you so.’
‘Bloody hell.’ James let out a low whistle. ‘You need to tell Oracle Hetty to watch out, sis. Making such accurate predictions is a complete gamechanger. Talking of games, can I go now?’ He made to stand up.
‘No!’ I howled. ‘Sit down, James. This is important.’
‘Listen, Mum.’ He wiped his oniony fingers over his denims, then took one of my hands in his.
‘I’m pleased for you.’ He gave my fingers a squeeze.
‘You’ve spent years in Dad’s shadow. Now it’s time to step out from that shadow in every sense of the word.
Shine your light – along with those glowing cheeks – and be happy.
If this guy strums your strings, then play the whole damn song! ’
‘Who is he?’ said Joy curiously. And then her eyes widened with surprise. ‘Oh, my goodness…’
James released my hand to mime speaking into a mic while addressing camera.
‘Joy is having a second psychic moment,’ he said gravely, sounding like Derek Acorah in a rerun of Most Haunted. ‘The Council of Light have gathered over Joy’s head. They are now beaming a man’s name straight through her crown chakra and into her brain.’
As if on cue, Joy clicked her fingers.
‘Liam Lancaster,’ she declared.
James looked at me, then at his sister, then at me again.
‘Bloody hell,’ he crowed. ‘You’re right again, sis. Mum’s cheeks are now redder than a clown’s nose with a chilli addiction.’
‘Will you give over,’ I spluttered, beyond embarrassed.
‘Am I right?’ asked Joy looking gobsmacked.
I took a deep breath. Braced myself.
‘Yes,’ I nodded.
‘Wow,’ she said, admiration in her voice.
‘Go you.’ She looked at her brother. ‘For an oldie, this dude is quite a looker. He’s also the one who wants to demolish Starlight Hall,’ said added.
‘He’s likely worth a few quid – which is good news, bro, because it means he’s not after Mum’s money.
’ I opened my mouth to protest but Joy silenced me with a look.
‘It’s true, Mum. You’re a wealthy woman.
If you’re going to date again, you need to be mindful of these things.
You don’t want to inadvertently hook up with a gold digger. ’
‘Thank you, dear daughter, for reminding me to avoid men with shovels in their man bags. Anyway, I’d like you both to meet Liam for dinner this evening. He’s invited us over to his place.’
‘Cool,’ said James. ‘Should I, you know, have a quiet word with him?’ James did a cheeky wink. ‘Warn him that he has no chance of spending our inheritance.’
‘As your sister has succinctly pointed out, Liam has his own money,’ I reminded. ‘And since you’ve mentioned inheritance, that brings me to the second thing I want to discuss.’