Chapter 9
Hank was talking to Joyce on the phone from work…
“Anyway, Larry wants me in Tucson next Friday to do some company lectures, come with me, you and the children could stay at the Holiday Inn, I’ll do the business meetings, and the two Saturday seminars, I’ve got one AM, and the other PM and then we can come back Sunday, what do you say?”
“Great! I might even toddle on over the border, do a bit of shopping…” Joyce said.
********************
Saturday, Mexico
“Mommy…that man’s talking strange…he’s talking scribble!” Buffy said
“No darling, he’s speaking Spanish! That’s his language” They were walking from the car park to the shops.
Joyce was still smiling at her daughter’s comment, when she looked up, and what she saw absolutely floored her. There, coming out of a family restaurant, was Chuck. But in tow, was a smallish Mexican woman who was holding the hand of a toddler, and she was pregnant, very pregnant…Chuck reached for her hand, and held it, as they crossed the road.
“Oh my gods!” Joyce said, little above a whisper.
“What’s the matter mommy?” William looked up worried.
“Um, come on, follow me!” Joyce swiftly crossed them over the road, and called ‘Chuck’. He ignored or didn’t hear at first, until she called again, and he looked up.
“Chuck?”
“JOYCE! Um, wow…fancy seeing you here…erm” he looked slightly taken a-back at her, then at the woman he was with, then gave the woman some keys, and said something in Spanish, something about a car, was all Joyce caught.
The woman nodded, and without a word, she looked slowly from him to Joyce, turned and walked the way the toddler pulled her.
“I take it you’ve left Susan, then?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“We divorced over two years ago now…I’m um, I’m married to Conchita, that’s her with Sanchez in the car…we’ve another one due very soon, next week in fact”
“I’ve got a son…we adopted young William here a few months ago” Joyce stroked the back of William’s head.
“Hello, Buffy, William”
“Hello” Both children chorused.
“This man used to be married to aunty Susan”
“Did you run off? My daddy say’s if you did, he wouldn’t blame you!” Buffy said. Joyce coloured up, slightly.
“Buffy!”
“It’s alright…you know what they say, ‘out of the mouths of babes and sucklings…’ Have you seen her?”
“Last weekend…gods she’s such a bitch!” Joyce said. Chuck grinned.
“She hasn’t changed then…”
“She honestly never said…too ashamed I suppose…oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming you…not for an instant, I don’t know why you hooked up with her in the first place”
“Actually, it was my fault…I met Conchita at a conference…I didn’t mean to fall in love with her…but there you go. You’re looking very well, I might add”
“Thankyou…oh, there’s my phone…look, Chuck, keep in touch, send me some photos, I promise not to say a word to her, if you don’t want me to” Joyce said.
“Joyce, I couldn’t care less who knows, I’m so happy now. Anyway, I will keep in touch, you still live in Sunnydale I take it?”
“Yes…look after yourself, it’s been great seeing you”
“Bye”
“Bye Joyce” her mobile had stopped ringing by the time she got it out of her bag.
“It’s your dad…” She pressed his number.
“There…Hank?”
“Hi love, I ended the call in case you were driving or eating or something…we’ve just broken for lunch, with any luck, I should be back at the hotel for about 5.30pm, or there abouts”
“Oh Hank! You’ll never guess who I’ve just ran into?”
“Well, you sound excited…Tom Cruise?” Hank joked.
“No, listen to this, my EX, brother-in-law, Chuck, his new WIFE Conchita, and baby son Sanchez, and she’s about to have her second child next week!”
“Good god!”
“I know! I’d just parked and we’d crossed the road, and I looked up and saw them coming out of a restaurant, I called him twice, he looked up. He’d got NO idea that we didn’t know that he and Susan were divorced! I told him to keep in touch!”
“Are you going to tell Grace?”
“Do you think I should!”
“Well…look, I’ll be at the hotel as soon as I can, ok”
“Ok then, bye love” Joyce took the children, did a little shopping, and got back to the hotel a little after four o clock. Hank came in at ten past five.
“So, how did he look?” Hank asked, as Joyce handed him a cup of tea.
“Happy!”
“He didn’t introduce his wife then?”
“No…he looked shocked to see me, then handed her the car keys…the little one they’d already got was pulling at her towards a station wagon. Looked a sturdy little chap!”
“Well I never…did he ask about her at all?”
“I told him we’d seen her last week…”
*************
“Brace yourself mom” Joyce said, down the phone.
“Joyce, what is it, you’re worrying me”
“I saw Chuck, not two hours ago, in Mexico, with his new WIFE and toddler son, and she’s expecting another baby next week!”
“Oh my gods…are you sure it was him?”
“Yes! I spoke to him and everything!”
“Well!”
“He was shocked we didn’t know…about the divorce and that”
“I’m shocked…hold on…TOM………TOM………he’s out mending the chicken fence…TOM!”
Joyce heard Tom say, ’Yes love?’
“Come and speak to our Joyce, you’ll never guess!” the receiver was passed over and Tom said,
“Hello Joyce”
“I’ve just seen Chuck in Mexico, with his new wife and son, with another baby on the way next week, he actually divorced Susan over two years ago”
“Good gods! You actually spoke to him then?”
“Yup! He was shocked to learn that we didn’t know……………………”
“Are we going to tell Susan we know?” Hank asked.
“I don’t know…I think one more sarcastic comment like she came out with about you, and I just might!”
****************************
Five Weeks Later
“Ok mom, we’re leaving now, see you this evening” Joyce said, and put the phone down. Hank came down stairs, carrying a parcel wrapped in white wedding paper.
“Shall I put this in the trunk?”
“Oh yes…I’d have forgotten that…” Joyce said.
“Right, got all the wedding outfits?”
“Check”
“Shoes”
“Check”
“All your makeup, jewellery and hair tongs and stuff”
“Check”
“Photos Chuck sent you of the new baby?”
“Oh gods…glad you remembered, they’re behind the clock on the fireplace…” Joyce got them and put them in her purse.
“Ok then, you’ve got the present…just the children to go…William, Buffy” Hank called. They both thundered down the stairs, William had his action man, Buffy her Barbie doll.
They both had jeans and the matching ‘Disneyworld’ tee shirts on. They got in the back of the car and Hank fixed the seatbelts for them.
Hank took it steady driving, and they got to the ranch at 5 ‘o’clock that evening. When Grace met them at the door, she had her hair in rollers. She kissed everyone and told them that the kettle was on for tea.
Tom came out and shook hands with Hank, and with William.
“And how’s my Best Man?”
“Fine thankyou, Tom”
“Have you written your speech?”
“Yes, but you must wait until tomorrow to find out what it says!” William said smiling.
“Ok then!” Tom winked and mussed his hair.
“So, mom…does Susan know, about tomorrow I mean?” Joyce asked. Grace looked tight lipped. Tom said nothing. Just then Joyce looked up, to see Susan coming into the kitchen, carrying an empty mug, and empty wine bottle, a dirty glass and a full ashtray.
“Hello” Susan said, depositing everything she was carrying onto the counter, and walking away, Grace frowned.
“WHAT’S SHE DOING HERE?” Joyce hissed, big eyed at her mother, as Grace had said she didn’t want her at the wedding.
“What could I do? She just turned up on speck last night. I couldn’t pretend to be out, we never go anywhere!” Grace shrugged
“Well, she better not try and spoil tomorrow, that’s all”! Joyce said in her normal voice. Looking at the overflowing ashtray with disgust, Joyce tipped the contents into the bin. Grace took the it off her to wash.
“Mommy! Princess B’s grown ever so much, she’s past my shoulder now!” Buffy said breathlessly. William came in and said,
“Nana, Tom said that the flowers and buttonholes have come, where do you want them putting?”
“Erm…tell him the garage, it’s cool in there, ok?” She smiled. William smiled, and said,
“Ok, nana!” And ran off to deliver the message.
“You make tea Joyce…I’ve done a casserole, and there’s boiled potatoes on the stove, it’s ready when you want to eat it. The children can have sausages if they prefer, they’re in the oven too”
“I think so, William loves sausages…” From the lounge, the loud pop of a cork being pulled out of a bottle could plainly be heard.
“Bit early, isn’t it?” Joyce mouthed, to her mother, frowning. Susan trudged into the kitchen to get a glass.
“Bit early, isn’t it?” Joyce said again, but this time to Susan.
“What’s it to you?”
“Sorry I spoke…what brings you here, anyway?”
“Oh great; don’t YOU start…not even invited to my own mother’s wedding for starters…then there’s Chuck!” Susan grouched. She pulled up a stool, poured a glass of wine. Joyce looked at Grace.
“What about him”
“He’s on um…short time. He says I’ve got to get a job”
“Well, it wouldn’t kill you, would it? I mean, what else do you do all day?” Joyce asked.
“You mean because my time isn’t taken up with the joys of motherhood?” Susan asked sarcastically, drinking half a glassful of wine in one gulp.
“I didn’t say that” Joyce rolled her eyes. Hank diplomatically pointed upstairs, and mouthed ‘call me for supper’. Joyce nodded. The children came running in from outside, Tom behind them.
“Mommy, are you going to show aunty Susan the photograph’s of uncle Chuck’s new baby?” Susan went huge eyed. Grace bit her bottom lip. Joyce stroked Buffy’s head.
“You and William go upstairs and wash your hands ready for supper, go on, there’s a good girl” When they’d disappeared, Susan looked at Joyce.
“Chuck’s new baby?”
“Um…yes, her name is”
“NO! I don’t want to know…I don’t want to know about his little whore!”
“Susan, it’s his wife…they’ve been married for two years now, over two years, in fact” Joyce said.
“Married…oh my gods!” With a very shaky hand she tried to pour herself a drink, spilling a lot, and then light a cigarette, but the tip wouldn’t touch the flame.
“Oh gods, they’ve got married…”
“You never told us he’d left” Grace said.
“And why should I…none of your business…” That had come out far more harsh than it meant to have.
“And you lie to us continually, and then wonder why you’re left out of things…”
“Now hold on!” Susan slammed the glass down hard. The glass toppled from the stem, shearing straight off, spilling the wine. She’d cut herself on the sharp stem, blood poured down to her wrist.
Grace mopped the wine and Tom handed Joyce a box of tissues, she grabbed one and tried to staunch the flow of blood from Susan’s hand.
“Leave me…just………don’t touch me, ok?” Susan wrenched her wrist out of Joyce’s grasp. Joyce held both hands in the air and said,
“Fine…just don’t bleed all over the floor, that’s all” Joyce said, all sympathy instantly evaporating. Grace poured tea, and Joyce took one up to her husband.
“What’s happened?” Hank asked quietly.
“Buffy let the cat out of the bag…she asked if I was going to show Susan the photos of uncle Chuck’s new baby…” Hank smiled.
“Well done Buffy!”
“Mom just asked why she never told us he’d left…she said it was none of our business”
“She’s drinking and smoking far too much” Joyce added.
“Well, as long as she can afford it”
“That’s it though…Chuck must have told her to get a job, he’s got two children and a wife to support”
“Well, that seems fair enough, I mean, what does she do all day?”
“That’s what I said, and she said…”
“Mommy…after supper can we play outside?” Buffy asked wandering into her parent’s room.
“We’ll see…you go down with William and help nana lay the table, I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Ok…come on Will”
“You were saying?” Hank asked.
“Well, I said, what do you do all day, and she said, ‘oh, as my day isn’t taken up with motherhood, you mean.’ Sarcastic bitch!”
“Bitter…oh well…hmm…something smells good, I’m starving” Hank said, standing.
“Mom’s made a casserole”
*************************
10.00 o’clock the following morning.
“Buffy, come on, it’s time for your hair to be done” Joyce called. Buffy bounded onto the kitchen chair. The hairdresser smiled and began to brush Buffy’s hair into a high ponytail, before twisting small sections into loops and pinning them in place.
Buffy helped by holding the grips. Meanwhile upstairs, William was reading his speech out loud while Hank sat on the bed listening.
“…So, thankfully Tom came to my rescue, and said I could be Best Man, and I didn’t have to be a bridesmaid after all! Peach isn’t my colour” William looked up and grinned at his dad.
“Very good! – Go on”
“Tom taught me all I know about riding…me and a few thousand others…and I swear the horses know everything he says to them. So let us all raise our glasses in a toast to the happy couple, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the bride and groom”
“Hold up your glass up towards them when you say that bit, Hank said, because that’s the toast”
“Buffy thought it meant real toast, like what we have for breakfast!”
“Did she? Well, you did very well. Don’t forget, smile and don’t worry, you’re a natural” There was a soft kerfuffle at the door, and Joyce appeared with just her underclothes and slip on, her makeup done, but her hair still in rollers.
“Mom said can you put the boxes of carnations out for the buttonholes, they’re in the garage…people can help themselves, pink for the ladies, white for the men”
“Sure” Hank said, he was dressed, apart from his jacket and shoes.
They could hear cars driving up.
“Guests arriving…just over an hour to go…I must get dressed” Joyce said.
“Love…any sign of…?” He motioned his head towards the wall, meaning Susan who was further down the hall.
“No, no sign…her door’s locked”
“I swear, if she spoils the day, or tries to, I’ll…”
“Form a queue behind me…” Her gaze fell on her son.
“Rehearsed your speech?”
“Yes…mommy…why does auntie Susan hate me?” Joyce frowned, squatted down in front of her son, looking really concerned.
“Why darling, what has she said to you?” Hank looked murderous. Joyce smoothed William’s hair out of his eyes.
“Well…she said a swear word…and fell up the stairs, and I said ‘are you alright’ she… she told me to go away…but nasty” Joyce hugged him to her.
“Listen baby, she was drunk, and I know that’s not an excuse…(Joyce looked him in the eye) you take no notice of anything she says, ok? She’s jealous because we’ve got you and Buffy…and she knows how much we love you, ok?”
“Ok…I do love you mommy…and daddy, and Nana and Tom” Joyce hugged him.
“And Buffy” Hank said smiling.
“Oh yes…Buffy best of all” Hank beamed and cuffed him very gently on the chin.
“That’s my boy…he’s gonna be a knockout reading his speech, aren’t you” William beamed at his dad and nodded.
“Will-yum!”
“And talking of Buffy…” Joyce said smiling and rolling her eyes
“Up here” William called. They heard a steady thump up the stairs.
“Mommy…I can get dressed now…look, I’ve got lip gloss on, and my tee…tee sar…what is it?”
“Tiara”
“Yes, tiara on!” She came into the bedroom dressed in her pyjamas still, but her hair done.
“Hank…” Tom’s voice drifted up the stairs.
“Coming Tom” Hank finished tying up his shoelaces, then left the bedroom.
“Come on, come with me” Joyce ushered the two children into the spare bedroom. William sat quietly playing with his Pokémon cards while Buffy and his mother got on their wedding outfits. A knock on the door and it opened slowly.
It was Susan. She looked dreadful, tousled hair and unwashed aside, and she had the shakes, and huge dark circles under her eyes.
“Have you got something I could wear…only got jeans.” Susan said, in a cracked voice, thick with sleep.
“Um…(Joyce’s mind raced) actually…no, sorry, no I haven’t, I only came in jeans myself” Susan shut the door without saying anything else.
Ten minutes later, Hank came upstairs.
“Ok then, you ready kids?” They both went downstairs with him. Joyce knocked on her mother’s room door.
“Yes?”
“It’s me”
“Come in love” Joyce went in.
“Oh mom…you look SO beautiful!” Joyce smiled.
“Can you help me with my hat…the elastic…”
“There…that ok? Oh, hold on…there, that’s it, just pulled that curl down a little…to hid the elastic by your ear. Comfy?”
“Yes. Is everything ready?”
“I think so, the children are all ready, and Hank went to sort the flowers”
“Good. Have you seen Tom?”
“At breakfast…he has a twinkle in his eye, and is on fine form”
Grace smiled. She was holding a photo of herself and her first husband, Joyce’s father Dan, just before he retired.
She touched his face on the photo.
“Well then, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be” She replaced the photo on the dressing table.
“Ok then, I’ll go get Hank…he’s so proud that you asked him to give you away”
“Well…he’s a wonderful son-in-law”
“Have you seen…?”
“Yes…she wanted to borrow some clothes” Joyce said, then asked,
“Have you – seen her that is?”
“No…but I heard her crying in the night”
“Did you…she was evil to William…”
“Why, what did she say?” Grace looked up sharply. There was a soft knock.
“Are you ready?” Hank called.
“Don’t worry about her, not today, not now, so, ready?” Joyce asked. Grace nodded.
“Right, I’ll carry on down”
“Now, don’t loose it, will you?” Tom said, giving William the wedding ring.
“I won’t, promise”
Tom rode to the chapel on his horse, and William, Buffy and Joyce went in a flower decked pony and trap, as did Grace and Hank. It was a simple ceremony where their vows were exchanged, William handed Tom the ring, and everything went perfect.
They rode back to the ranch, where the wedding breakfast had been arranged in the large extension room that was used when the ranch had extra hands and guests stay. They dined on smoked salmon, cold chicken and champagne. William read his speech perfectly and got a standing ovation! Buffy looked like a dream, and there were many photos and videos taken of them, probably even more than the bride and groom!
“Just look at them…little angels” William and Buffy were slowly swaying to the music; William was holding both of Buffy’s hands.
“You look very pretty in that dress…you always look pretty…I like the sparkly bits on the front” William said. Buffy beamed and thought she loved William even more, if that was possible.
Their attention to each other never wavered as flashes went off around them, people taking their photos.
“Give him a kiss, love!” Somebody shouted. Buffy and William both leaned forward and gave each other a kiss on the lips. The whole room said,
“Awwwwwwwwwwww!” And Joyce and Hank beamed at their beautiful children.
Susan had stood at the back of the chapel in her jeans, and then went back to the ranch. Later on that evening, Hank came over to Joyce and the children. They were sitting on some chairs put outside the very warm room. Music played and people danced.
“Susan’s at the bar…drunk”
“Huh, well she’s been surprisingly good…I thought she’d cause a scene”
“Don’t speak too soon, it’s only just gone nine o’clock – and I haven’t forgotten that she was evil to my child…”
“Oh…I think they’re off” Joyce stood, and ushered the children into the room. Tom and Grace had entered the room in smart ‘normal’ clothes, and began to shake hands and thank people. They finally got to Joyce, Hank and the children.
“You off then?” Hank asked, smiling.
“Yes…only three days, but it’ll be a nice break…it’ll be lovely to be by the ocean for a while” Grace said. A friend had leant them a beach house at Long Beach.
“You going home tomorrow?” Tom asked Hank.
“Yes, we will probably leave after breakfast”
“Well, we know Gabe and Austin can cope, and Mary-Jane will feed them all, but we don’t want to take advantage” Grace explained.
“Anyway…we’ve come to give the best, Best Man and the best bridesmaid we’ve ever seen their presents” Tom said, bending and producing two boxes wrapped in blue striped paper for William, and pink for Buffy. The children’s little face’s lit up, and immediately William took his present and put it on the table carefully.
“Thankyou Tom…thankyou nana!” He hugged and kissed them both, and then Buffy did the same.
“Have a nice holiday!”
“We will”
“Can I open it mommy, please?” William asked.
“Sure baby…” Joyce stroked his soft hair. He carefully opened it.
“Oh look mommy, daddy…it’s a watch!” Hank squatted down on his haunches and looked.
“And a very posh one too! It’s better than mine!” Hank said, grinning.
“What have you got Buffy?” She too had a watch, it had a pink face, with little sparkly stones by the numbers, and a strap made of gold chain with pink leather woven through it. Hank helped William with the strap, and Joyce helped Buffy. They both felt very grown up, especially when they were allowed to have a sip of Champagne! At nine thirty, both children began to yawn.
“I’m shattered myself…shall we go up?”
“Would you mind if I stayed down for a while, I want to talk to that investment chap…where is he…oh there, I want to ask him something” Hank said.
“Ok love, but don’t leave it too late”
“I won’t” Hank kissed the children and the three of them went through to the main house, Joyce stopping briefly to say goodnight and goodbye to various people.
Buffy and William had money given to them from practically everyone, and everyone was saying how delightful and beautiful and well behaved the children were.
Upstairs they got undressed and got into bed. Joyce did too, and began to read. Less than an hour later, Hank came up. There was a bit of a kerfuffle on the stairs and Joyce frowned when he came into the bedroom.
“What’s going on…I thought the children would wake”
“Gabe and I had to carry Susan up, she got so drunk…” Joyce got up out of bed, left the room. Hank got undressed. He was sitting on the bed in his underwear and socks when Joyce came back in the room.
“Thanks…”
“We put her on her side, packed pillows behind her so she can’t roll over on her back and choke.”
“I’ve put a bowl on the floor, just in case”
“What’s all that money?” Hank nodded to well over a hundred dollars on the dresser.
“The children’s! …As I was saying goodnight and goodbye, all these people came up and was pressing money on them, saying how delightful they are!”
Hank smiled.
“Hmm, got that right!”
**********
The following morning...
“How much have we got, mommy?” Buffy asked, she was gazing at her new watch.
“Um…well, I put it all together, and there’s $130, so, $65 each”
“Will you put it in my savings for me please mommy” William asked, finishing his juice.
“I will my love…”
“And me mommy”
“Of course baby”
“Now…didn’t you two promise to feed nana’s chicken’s?”
“Yes!” They both chorused
“Well, go on then, you’ve finished your breakfast, now go give the chicken’s theirs” Joyce said, and the two children got down from the table. As if by magic, Gabe came to the back door.
“Ready then?”
“We’re coming!” William grabbed the feedbag in one hand, and Buffy’s in the other. They followed Gabe outside.
“Have you heard her ladyship this morning?” Hank asked Joyce.
“Not yet…mind you, it’s still early…did she play up last night down there…I mean, I know you and Gabe carried her to bed, but…?”
“Oh, she had a rant, but somebody sat and talked to her. I was talking to Simon Mason, got some good info,” Hank said, pouring himself more coffee.
“Oh, listen…she’s alive anyway” Joyce said, as they heard the toilet flush upstairs, and could hear coughing.
“Morning!” A very friendly young girl came into the kitchen, carrying foil and cling wrapped trays of food.
“Morning Mary-Jane…what’s all this?”
“Leftover cold chicken, sliced cooked meats and a little salad, it’s all fresh still, I’ll use it for the ranch hands lunches, I’m going to make a chicken and ham pie, will you be staying?” Joyce looked at Hank.
“Um…actually, no, if you don’t mind, I’ve got some information that I’m just itching to act upon, and I’m missing my computer!”
“Well…I’ve just gone and thrown things into our case, and we can go, if you like, Joyce said, but I must just tidy up here first.
“Don’t worry…I’ll sort it”
“You sure?” Joyce asked.
“Sure” The children came into the kitchen, William carefully carrying the eggs.
“Here are the eggs”
“Thankyou, young William…my, they’re mighty big, aren’t they?” Mary-Jane smiled and took the basket.
“Hasn’t your son got the most amazing blue eyes…and the two of them last night, it was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen” Joyce smiled.
“We are so lucky…they’re inseparable, like it all the time…oh well, I must be off. Um…don’t let Susan put on you, will you?” Joyce said conspiratorially.
“Don’t worry, I won’t, I’m not here for her benefit!” They smiled and Joyce went upstairs.
*****************
Back home, a few days later
“Oh, Hi mom…you and Tom just got back then?”
“Yes, it was a lovely rest, the fresh air’s done me the power of good”
“Well, it’s good to know you had a good time. Hank and Gabe had to carry Susan to bed, but she didn’t play up too much”
“Good, I’m glad”
“When did she leave, did Gabe say?”
“Leave, she hasn’t gone yet”
“What?”
“She said she’s nothing to go home to”
“Don’t fall for that, mom…she’s been on her own for three years now. You know what she likes, the free food and booze”
“That’s what Tom said…”
“Put your foot down, tell her”
“ I’ve told her, she’s got to the end of the week”
“Good, don’t let her blackmail you”
Oh gods, I won’t…”
“Still there, how come…bloody cheek!” Hank said over dinner that evening. The children were in bed.
“I know…anyway, mom’s given her to the end of the week. She saying she’s got nothing to go home for…”
“But Chuck left her, how long ago?”
“I know, I know, she just likes the free food and booze”
“Well, she needn’t think she can come here”
“Tell me about it!” Joyce said.
“Good for him…what was her reaction?”
“Well, she looked at the grooming brushes, the currycombs and broom, and said, ‘oh but, I’m leaving in about an hour or so’ Grace said to Joyce.
“Don’t feel guilty mom, you gave her a couple of extra days grace”
“Are my wonderful grandchildren there?”
“No, mom, they’re out seeing their other granny while I make lunch, but I’ll let them phone you tonight, around seven-ish, is that ok?”
“That’s fine love. Did they like their presents?”
“Love them…I practically had to prise it from off Buffy’s wrist before she went to bed!” Grace chuckled.
“Well, I’ll let you get on with the lunch.”
“Ok mom…by the way, how’s married life suiting you, you’ve been married a whole eight days now”
“Wonderful…he brings me cuppa in bed every morning…and he lets me warm my cold feet on him!”
“See, the wonders of married life!” Joyce said, laughing, she said bye to her mother, and went on with the lunch.
********************
“So, mom told me that Tom did no more, than go out and fetch the grooming brushes and currycombs, and a broom and said, Well, I’LL give you a job! You know how she is around horses…anyway, she looks at Tom, realises that she can’t eek it out anymore, so she says, ‘Oh, but I’m leaving in less than an hour!”
“Good for him!” Hank said.
“That’s what I said…oh, yes, Buffy, William, I told nana you would ring her about seven o’clock tonight, ok?”
“Ok mom” William said.
“Buffy, eat your carrots, there’s a good girl”
“But….”
“They help you see in the dark…look, William’s eaten all his” Buffy began to eat her carrots, leaving just a few; Joyce knew she’d tried hard.
“Good girl…now, who’s for ice cream?”
“Please!”
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