Page 32 of Drama Queen

“I don’t follow.”

“Well, when a group of students get together for the purposes of study...”

“I know what a study group is, smart ass. But I don’t see how havingmorepeople around will assist us to spend time alone.”

“And therein lies the genius of my plan,” I say with false modesty. “As you know, my mother is extremely overprotective, and completely against me dating at all. I can only imagine the fit she would have if she found out I was planning to spend time with my TA. But, with a group of students, outside of business hours so she can see me leave and come home, she will be more likely to let me come over.”

Anders is silent for a few moments, seeming to contemplate my suggestion. Whilst I’m keen to spend time with him alone, there are two problems. Both involve my mother. Firstly, her overprotective nature means I’ll need a legitimate reason to be with Anders, and while I’m willing to bend the truth, lying to her is something I will never do. Secondly, the move and demands of her new job are clearly taking a toll. The last couple of weeks she has looked so exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes, and her mood has been frequently low, even with Robert’s increasingly regular visits.

Robert’s presence gives me a potential distraction method in the afternoons or evenings, but I’ve still been racking my brain for solutions to my two problems. I got so excited when the ideas came to me late last night that I couldn’t concentrate on my studies all day. There is more to my plan about getting the green light from Mum, but I wanted to see how he reacted to my idea before sharing more.

“Well, you have my attention, so pitch me your idea.”

“IthinkI can get Mum on board with me joining a study group, but there would actually have to be a study group, which is why I needed to speak to you first. However, there is nothing to say that the study group needs to actually go for the whole time. I would tell Mum it does...” I can see the moment he catches on to my cunning plan when his eyes widen slightly, and a slow smile spreads across his face, lighting it up.

“So there would be time before, or after, for you and I to get some quality one-on-one study time. I’m impressed, Ms Davies.” I bite my bottom lip at the praise and the prospect of what I could “study” during that alone time. Anders’s eyes home in on the movement, and darken, like he can tell exactly where my mind wandered. “But I get a final veto on the students. I will not have idiots in my home. I am, however, willing to help those who actually need it, so let’s talk shortlists when you have one.”

I reach down into my bag and slide the folded paper to him. His answering chuckle warms my insides when he opens the paper to find a list of students. “I guess I have some research to do,” he says, rising from the chair.

“And while you do that, I have my mother to convince.” He hesitates at the realisation that convincing me to spend more time with him was just the first battle. “But don’t worry, I have a plan to butter her up,” I say with a wink.

I just hope I can pull it off.

Eight

“Ready?”I ask Mum as she climbs into the passenger seat of the car.

“For a day of forced fun when I have no idea where we are going, or what we are doing? Not really, Aria.”

The fact that she is being so short with me is just another red flag. Over the last couple of days since I hatched this plan, Mum’s mood has continued to nosedive, and she looks even more exhausted than ever. I tried a couple of times to get her to agree to a girls’ night, or a movie date, but she just begged off with excuses of being too tired or having too much work to commit to a date and time, so I called in the big guns and went over her head.

I felt a little weird when I called her office on Friday morning between classes and asked to speak to Abigail, but Eva put my call through without any questions. Abigail was just as quirky over the phone, answering on the first ring by announcing she was in the bathroom, so to excuse the “tinkling sounds.” Abigail in the bathroom, on the phone to me, was not an image my mind would soon forget. But in true Abigail spirit, when I told her how concerned I was about my mum, how worn out she looked,and my plan for a relaxing girls’ day out, she was immediately on board. As a co-conspirator, I actually couldn’t have asked for more.

When I explained that I wanted to take Mum on a trip up to the Barossa Valley, a world-famous wine-growing region just less than an hour away by car, Abigail jumped at the chance to help with the planning. She cryptically offered to “consult with an expert” she knew, and booked us a few tasting experiences at one of the most well-known wineries, as well as a couple of small cellar doors that had unique offerings. I was only too happy to let her, and grateful for the help. I don’t know the first thing about wineries, only that Mum and I enjoy a good red and fortified wines.

“Just sit back and relax, Mum. It will take us a little while to get to our first stop,” I say, pulling out of the driveway and heading for the expressway. I turn the stereo on, with my mum’s favourite upbeat playlist from our shared streaming account.

Abigail truly took care of all the details for our day, starting with her rather over the top announcement to Mum on Friday afternoon when I got to the office after school. I can’t help the smile remembering the shocked look on Mum’s face when Abigail waltzed into her office, literally spinning in circles to a tune only she could hear, and simply said all Mum’s work account access had officially been suspended for the next 48 hours, and we were to have some fun, before kissing me on the cheek, sticking her tongue out at my mother’s shocked face, then waltzing right back out again.

“I still can’t believe you went behind my back and spoke to my boss, Aria.”

“I have been worried about you, Mum, and Abigail agreed you need some well-deserved rest and relaxation. You are working too hard, and with the end of the financial year coming up soon, you are only going to get busier. Besides, we havehardly had any time with just the two of us between your work and my study. Is it wrong that I miss my mum and want some time for just us?” The guilt trip is a little dirty, but I need her on board today.

“Not at all, my love. I’m sorry. Truly, it is so sweet of you to worry about me, and to have gone to so much effort to plan this surprise. I am looking forward to it, I promise.” Her smile is a little forced, but she’s trying, and that’s all I can ask. “So, do I get any hints?”

“Not a single one,” I say, flashing her a smile, then focusing back on the road.

The turn off I take about forty minutes later, though, is a pretty big giveaway. As is the massive signage when I pull the car into the parking lot at Seppeltsfield Winery. We walk through the complex, pausing to take a selfie at the famous balcony over the fountain before heading into the tasting room. When I give my name, however, we are quickly whisked off down a winding path through spectacular gardens, to a set of heavy wooden doors leading to an underground cellar. Once inside, our eyes widen in shock as we realise where we are. The port cellar. Famous for their hundreds of years old port, Seppeltsfield holds exclusive, and expensive, tastings where you can sample a port barrelled on the year of your birth.

Our guide takes us on a tour of the facility, and I swear by the end my cheeks hurt from all the smiling. Mum’s face, whilst still tired, at least has a glow and excitement shines in her eyes. After our tour, we are taken to an exclusive tasting room, where I encourage Mum to try literally everything they have to offer. I have to monitor my alcohol intake, given I’m driving, but I do sample a few of the wines. We make a list of everything we love during the tasting on a sheet the staff provided, and I’m blown away at the end when they advise us that a bottle of every itemwe marked on the sheet is being express shipped to our house. Thank you, Abigail!

As the day goes on, Mum is more and more relaxed and happy, and at our last stop, an amazing distillery next to a woodfire pizza restaurant, I know it’s now or never.

“Have you had a good day?” I ask, shoving another piece of the divine truffle mushroom pizza into my mouth. Seriously, who knew a mushroom pizza could have so much flavour?

“Sweetheart, I have had an amazing day. I was not keen, and I know I have been as grizzly as a bear recently. I guess I just didn’t realise how much I needed a break and a recharge to get back on track,” she says, slipping her gin apple-crumble cocktail. “But after today, I think I might take a little me time tonight, and tomorrow I will be a whole new woman, mark my words.”

I beam at her. Mum very rarely takes “me time,” but when she does, the change in her the next day is almost miraculous. I have no idea what she does, but whatever it is, it works. Maybe this time it will involve a certain security expert.

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