by Karen Klyne
Val cleared her throat. “Hello, Gemma. Welcome home.”
Keith nodded as though they were his sentiments, but she thought they were both less than pleased to see her. Gemma had obviously been a bad daughter-in-law, and Alex would have to try to undo that damage if she stuck around. Although that depended on whether she’d grow to like them. Right now, she couldn’t be sure.
Keith looked at his watch and nudged Val. “We’d better be off then. Leave them to it.”
Val nodded. “I’ve done a bit of shopping. There’s some ham and cheese in the fridge, but I wasn’t sure what else you wanted.”
Reece smiled. “Thanks, Mum. We’ll do it this afternoon before we pick the children up.”
They seemed to flinch when she said that, which wasn’t surprising as they’d been virtually living there since the day that she was trying to forget. She was sure as hell that they were going to miss the children. It was no wonder they didn’t want her back.
“Right then.” They picked up their jackets and walked toward the door. “We’ll see you on Monday then.”
Alex knew they’d be supervising her. They possibly wouldn’t let her anywhere near the children in case she ate them. She couldn’t blame them. “Bye, and thanks for all you’ve done whilst I’ve been away.”
Val looked surprised. “You’re welcome.”
Reece walked them to the door, and Alex headed over to the coffee pot. She found the mugs in the cupboard and took two out. She poured one for herself and when Reece came back, she gestured to the other mug. “Coffee?”
“Please.”
Alex took a teaspoon and hovered over the sugar bowl. She had no idea if Reece took sugar. Reece must have noticed, because she said she didn’t take it.
They leaned against the countertop and drank their coffee. Reece finished, rinsed her mug, and put it in the dishwasher. “I have a few calls to make.”
“Sure, whatever. I’ll just go and put my stuff away. Shall I make a sandwich when I get down?”
“That’ll be great. Do you want to make a list for shopping, or shall I do it?”
Alex smiled. “I can do that. I’ll familiarise myself first. Is there anything you or the children don’t like?”
“Not really. As long as it’s fresh and healthy. Of course, they’ll try and get out of eating the good for you stuff, but I don’t usually let them get away with it.”
“Sounds good. I’m sure you’ll point me in the right direction.” Alex picked her bag up. “See you later.” She left the kitchen and climbed the stairs. It was all a bit stilted. She hoped as the day wore on, they’d both chill out. It was to be expected. Visiting for an hour a day was nothing like sharing a house, and there was a lot to be learned on both parts. It would take time, and she had plenty of that.
She hesitated when she got to the top of the stairs and reacquainted herself with the layout. Her room was where it was before. She opened the door. There were all those cushions on the bed. She removed them and put them in the bottom of the wardrobe full of “her” clothes. She moved the coat hangers along. There wasn’t a single dress in sight and only casual clothes, just as she remembered. Perhaps one day she could buy something new, when she figured out how to make money of her own. One day. Bide your time. She emptied the contents of her bag onto the bed and put them away where she thought they belonged. Gradually, she could reorganise her room and make it into something she could live with. Then she lay on the bed. At least it was comfortable. There didn’t seem any point in hanging around, she might think too much, so she went back down into the kitchen and began her list, which ended up a mile long. She wanted to make meals Reece would enjoy to thank her for being so kind through all this, which she understood about as much as Alex did, though for different reasons. Then she prepared a sandwich and a small side salad.
When Reece had finished her calls, she came back into the kitchen, and they ate their snack together at the table.
Alex waved the list in her hand. “Could take us a while to get this. What time do the children finish school?”
“Three-thirty. Sometimes they have clubs they go to after school, but Friday neither of them have one.” She stood, collected their plates, and put them in the dishwasher.
Alex watched Reece’s simple movements and saw the way she cleaned up. The house was tidy and organized, even with two children living in it, and that gave her another sense of relief. Anything that made the transition easier.
They sat and finished their cup of tea then picked up their coats and went to the car.
“So, is it Waitrose, Asda, or Sainsburys?”
Alex didn’t hesitate. “Waitrose.” Thank God for healthy food and speciality items.
***
Reece watched Gemma zip up and down the aisles with her trolley. She sure as hell knew her way around this shop, but she knew that Gemma usually shopped at Asda. She’d hardly ever gone shopping with Gemma before. It was quite an experience.
They finished up at the bakery, and Gemma picked up a green and black olive loaf, a walnut loaf, and some croissants. She placed them on the top of a now full trolley. “Okay. We’re done.”
Reece laughed and mopped her brow in a joking fashion. “It sure looks interesting. I thought you hated olives.”
Gemma smiled. “I hope you can pay for this lot, because I haven’t got a dime to my name, as far as I’m aware.”
Reece slapped her forehead. “Sorry, Gemma. I’ll get you your credit card next week. I forgot all about it.” She’d cut up all the old cards, but she’d had every intention of getting a new one set up. Her mum had argued with her and told her to give Gemma some cash for shopping, which Reece thought was so demeaning. Then she’d forgotten all about it. It seemed so controlling. It was as if she didn’t trust her, but before all this, she’d caught her buying medication from the internet, ordering alcohol from an online store, and shopping like a fiend. There were things in boxes she’d never even taken the tags off. It wasn’t that Reece wanted to control the money, it was that she wanted to stop the chaos.
They loaded all the shopping on the belt, and Gemma expertly packed it into bags. Reece paid, and they wheeled the trolley to the car and stacked everything into the back of the boot. They always had healthy meals, but Gemma had never seemed interested in cooking. But now she talked about the different things she’d make if the family wanted to try them.
She drove to the school and parked around the corner in the only available spot. They got out, and they walked down the road toward the school gates. They stood outside, and Reece nodded to a few of the other parents who were waiting.
“Nice to see you again, Gemma,” someone shouted.
Gemma smiled and waved. “You too.”
Reece noticed Gemma was shivering. She’d have put her arm around her, but she knew how Gemma felt about public displays of affection. She touched her arm instead, then saw the children. Callum had hold of Mattie’s hand, and they came hurtling across the tarmac. They stopped in front of her and grinned. It was like slow motion, and she wasn’t sure how Gemma would react. But there was no need to worry. Gemma cradled them both in her arms and pulled them into a hug. Reece let out a sigh of relief. “Come on, you lot. Let’s go home. It’s the weekend.”
Callum and Mattie pumped their little fists and ran along ahead. Reece looked at Gemma. “Okay?”
Gemma nodded. “It felt weird, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
They piled into the car, drove home, and stopped in the driveway. “Okay, you two. We’ve got lots of shopping here, and we need a hand.”
Reece opened the front door, and Callum and Mattie followed carrying a small bag between them. Reece and Gemma managed the rest of the bags, and they put them onto the table. “You two go and change. Now.”
“Ah, Mum. We wanted to–––”
Reece put her hand up. “It can wait. You know the rules.”
Callum and Mattie’s shoulders slumped, and then they ran out of the kitchen and upstairs.<
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In the meantime, Reece and Gemma put the shopping away, and when she saw Gemma struggling with where to put something, she showed her where it belonged. She looked lost and a little overwhelmed, but when Reece stroked her back briefly, she seemed to settle.
When the children came down, everything was organised. Callum and Mattie opened the patio door and ran out toward the shed. They never walked. They ran everywhere. Whilst Gemma was organising the fridge, Reece made a pot of tea and prepared some blackcurrant drink for the children.
Then the children reappeared with big grins on their faces. Callum brought his arm from behind his back and thrust a bouquet of flowers toward Gemma. “Welcome home, Mummy.”
Gemma gasped and took the flowers. “They’re absolutely beautiful. They’re my favourite colours.” She put them on the table and bent down to hug them.
Reece’s eyes watered. What wonderful children she had. She certainly hadn’t given them the idea. There were pink lilies, pink antirrhinum, white oak leaves, and another two other pink varieties she didn’t know the name of. She found a vase, filled it with water, and arranged the flowers. When she turned around, Gemma was sitting on the sofa crying. Callum and Mattie sat either side of her and each held one of her hands. She looked so vulnerable, and they looked like two little bookends holding her together and protecting her. Her heart ached at the unfamiliar scene.
Gemma wiped her eyes, and the kids bounced up and down on the sofa.
“My teacher took us to buy them at lunch break. Her sister has a flower shop. We didn’t even need money, did we, Callum?” Mattie smiled brightly, still holding Gemma’s hand.
Callum nodded. “She said she’d ordered too many.”
Gemma squeezed their hands. “I never realised I had such thoughtful children.”
They were all smiles and giggles. Reece touched the flowers. “I know those three, but I can’t remember the names of these two.”
“Pink alstroemeria and pink santini,” Gemma said, giving them a quick glance.
Reece had no idea where she had that information stored. Then she remembered the incident in the hospital gardens when she’d been equally informative about a variety of flowers. It was quite uncanny.
A few minutes later, the children jumped up and said they were going to play upstairs. They ran off as if everything was how it had always been. And why not? Their mummy was home and the circle complete.
Gemma shook her head. “That really took me by surprise.”
“Me too.” She laughed. “They never do anything like that for me.”
“You didn’t suggest it?”
“No. It seems they thought this one up all by themselves. I’m proud of them.”
“It was a lovely idea.” She tapped the couch gently with the flat of her hand. “Right. I’d better make a start on dinner. I take it we all eat together at the weekends?”
“Yes. Do you want a hand?”
“No, I’ll cope. I’m not doing anything fancy. Thought I’d do cubed chicken in a sauce, some spaghetti, and a salad. Are the children okay with garlic?”
“No problem. That sounds delicious. As you don’t need me, I’ll go and look over my accounts.” Reece found her cushioned lap tray, placed her MacBook on top, and opened it up. Occasionally, she’d glance over at Gemma who seemed merrily engrossed in food preparation. She wasn’t sure how Gemma really felt. She must be feeling out of sorts, but she was doing a damned good job of hiding it. She was certainly enamoured with the flowers, thanks to her children. Shame she hadn’t done something similar, but she’d been so preoccupied with everyone else’s agenda. She’d do it another time.
“Fifteen minutes, and it’ll be ready,” Gemma said.
“Okay. I’m on it.” Reece shut her MacBook and put it away safely. She left the kitchen and shouted up the stairs. “Callum. Mattie. Dinner’s almost ready. Don’t forget to wash your hands.”
When she got back into the kitchen, Gemma had set the table, and everything looked perfect.
“I opened a bottle of red. Is that okay?”
Reece wasn’t sure if Gemma should be drinking yet, but the doctor hadn’t mentioned anything about it. “Great. I’ll pour.”
The children came dashing into the kitchen at full speed. “We’re starving.” Before they went any further, they stood in front of Reece and turned their palms up, then flipped them. “All clean.”
Reece laughed. She’d trained them well. They all sat down and helped themselves to salad whilst Gemma served the penne with chicken and sauce.
Callum stared into the bowl. “What’s it called?”
“Pollo alla Mama.”
“Wow,” Callum said as he dived in. “Yummy, Mummy.” He laughed.
Reece picked up her glass. “Welcome home, Gemma.”
They clinked their glasses, theirs with red wine and the children’s with blackcurrant juice.
Reece said, “This is excellent. There’s just the right amount of spice. You’ve never made this dish for us before.”
“Good. It was something I picked up at the cookery class in hospital.” She winked, and Reece gave a small laugh.
When they’d finished, Callum and Mattie leaned back in their chairs and sighed happily.
Reece picked the bottle of wine up and leaned across to top Gemma’s glass up. She covered the glass with her hand.
“No, thanks. I might have another later though.”
Reece’s reservations about her drinking were unfounded, and she felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. It was a good sign. All the same, Reece poured herself another half glass.
Mattie pouted. “We wanted to go to the beach tomorrow, but it says it’s going to rain.”
Reece tapped her lip. “In that case, we’ll have to find something else to do. Any ideas?”
Callum pulled a sulky face. “I’d like to watch football, but you all hate it.”
Gemma’s eyes seemed to light up. “Football. Who do you support?”
Callum sat up in his chair. “Southend, of course.”
“Ah yes, they’re at Gillingham tomorrow.”
Everyone stared at Gemma, and her face turned red.
“I only know because I met this man in the hospital. He talked passionately about Southend United. I thought one day I’d go and check it out.”
Callum gasped. “I could take you.”
Gemma smiled. “I’d like that. He said that the one with Ipswich Town could be a good one. And it’s at home.”
Callum clasped his hands together and turned to Reece. “Could we go, Mum? I promise I’ll look after Mummy.”
Reece shrugged and laughed. “I don’t see why not.” Gemma hated football, but maybe this was her way of trying to bond with the kids. Still, she actually looked genuinely excited.
Callum bounced, waved his arms in the air, and chanted. “South…end, South…end.”
Mattie knelt on her chair. “Can I come too?”
Gemma looked nonplussed and turned to Reece.
Reece patted her daughter’s head. “No, darling. Maybe when you get a bit older. But we’ll do something special together.”
Mattie’s face beamed. “You mean like make cookies?”
“Perfect. In the meantime, we’ll see how tomorrow goes. We could have a movie night.”
Mattie clapped her hands. “Christopher Robin?”
“Yes. We haven’t watched that yet.”
“With popcorn?” Callum asked.
“If you’re both good all day.”
Gemma smiled. “Sounds like an exciting day. Okay, so who’s for dessert? It’s strawberries and ice cream.”
They all succumbed, and after their dinner had settled, Callum and Mattie cleared the table, and Reece loaded everything into the dishwasher. She couldn’t believe what a success the first night had been. It was only the first, so she tried not to get too carried away.
The children stayed up much later than she’d normally allow, but it was a special occasion. Reece tucked them
in and read them a story, but they wouldn’t settle until Gemma had gone up to give them a goodnight kiss. Reece had drunk a few glasses of wine. It had gone to her head, and the effect had seeped into other areas too. She wouldn’t have said no to a goodnight kiss herself. What the hell was she thinking? And this was only the first night. Lay off the wine. She should forget about it. She was sure she would…maybe.
***
The following morning when Reece got downstairs, Gemma was already there. She’d laid the table and all the cereal packets were set out. She didn’t have pyjamas on as they all usually tended to do but was already dressed in some denims and a yellow sweatshirt. She couldn’t remember seeing the sweatshirt before, and it looked quite a snug fit around Gemma’s breasts, which was far from an unpleasant sight. She certainly hadn’t put weight on, apart from there. Gemma had small breasts and when they’d first met, Reece had spent hours convincing her that small was beautiful. But fuller was even better. Reece gazed far too long and felt her cheeks flushing.
Gemma looked up and smiled at Reece. “Morning.”
Reece blinked a few times then yawned. “Couldn’t you sleep?”
“Actually, I slept quite well.” She looked at her watch. “In fact, I had quite a lie-in. Remember, I’m used to being woken at six.”
“Gosh. I’d forgotten that. That must have been awful.”
“It wasn’t my favourite time of the day. However, I’m sure I’ll settle back to normal hours. Would you like tea? I’ve just made a pot.”
“Please.” Reece wished she’d woken her with a cup in her room. They certainly wouldn’t be down in the kitchen now. She tried to shake off the unusual sensations, but not too hard. She was finding so many differences in Gemma; the latest one to hit her was the football craze. Maybe she was trying to create a new version of herself that fitted in with Reece’s fantasies. Only time would tell. Now she was regretting giving this a trial of only one month. Never mind, she could always make it longer. If, of course, they could make it work.
