Page 13 of Summer at the Cornish Garden Café

‘On that note, I’d better check the parrot.’ Bligh put Winnie down.

‘Parrot?’ Winnie frowned.

‘I meant the chicken.’ Bligh winked at her. ‘I wouldn’t cook parrot for Sunday dinner, would I?’

‘I hope not, Daddy. I wouldn’t like parrot for dinner.’

‘Nor me,’ Thomas said.

‘Go and see if your mum wants a cup of tea, Winnie,’ Bligh said.

‘OK, Daddy.’ She ran through to the lounge.

Thomas picked up another potato and started peeling it. ‘I guess I’d better start digging then.’

‘What?’ Bligh turned from the oven with the large roasting tin in his hands. He put it down and peeled back the foil. Steam rose into the air from the chicken along with aromas of sage and thyme.

‘Digging for treasure!’ Thomas said and Bligh laughed.

‘Well, you can start in our garden if you like because the flower beds need weeding.’

‘Your wish is my command,’ Thomas said. ‘I’ll just finish the potatoes first though if that’s OK?’

‘That’s fine.’ Bligh grinned. ‘Treasure can wait.’

An hour later, they were sitting at the kitchen table with Marnie, Winnie and Wendy. They were tucking into roast chicken, roast potatoes, buttered carrots, tender stem broccoli, petit pois and sprouts. Every bite was delicious.

While they ate, the girls entertained them with stories about school and what had happened that week, as well as about their excitement about the village fair in three weeks’ time. Thomas always enjoyed having Sunday lunch with Marnie and her family because the food was amazing and the company was lovely.

When they’d finished, Marnie pushed her chair back, but Bligh shook his head. ‘No, you don’t, my love. You stay there and I’ll clear the table and get dessert.’

‘It’s fine, Bligh. I can help.’ Marnie went to stand but Bligh held up a hand. ‘You’re doing enough hard work growing our baby. You stay there and I’ll do it.’

‘I’ll help.’ Thomas got up and helped Bligh to clear the table and Winnie and Wendy helped too, carrying plates and glasses over to the island where Thomas loaded them into the dishwasher. Bligh filled bowls with lemon meringue pie and Thomas helped him to take them back to the table.

‘Goodness, Bligh, I’ll be the size of a house at this rate.’ Marnie rubbed her hands over her rounded belly and sighed. Pregnancy suited her with her cheeks full and flushed and her hair thick and glossy. Thomas knew Bligh took good care of his family and it made him happy to know his sister had married a man who truly loved her and their children.

‘And I’ll worship every inch of you, my gorgeous wife.’ Bligh took Marnie’s hand and kissed it.

‘Bleurgh!’ Wendy laughed. ‘You two are so soppy.’

‘They’re in love, Wendy,’ Winnie said.

‘Yeah, but they don’t have to go on about it.’ Wendy grimaced; her small nose scrunched up.

‘So young and so cynical,’ Marnie said, winking at Thomas. ‘I don’t know where she gets it from.’

‘Wendy has a boyfriend!’ Winnie announced suddenly as if it had just occurred to her.

‘Winnie!’ Wendy slammed her spoon on the table. ‘How dare you!’

Thomas bit his bottom lip hard as he tried to control the laughter that threatened to burst from him. His nieces were so young, but such characters. He knew it was because they were growing up with two awesome parents and because they read a lot. Sometimes, they were more like teenagers than six-year-olds.

‘You do!’ Winnie said. ‘I saw you with him in the yard.’

‘You did not. I don’t even like boys. They are yucky!’

‘You do so.’ Winnie nodded smugly.

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