Page 50 of Coming Home
Leonora threw her head back and laughed. ‘I think that’s a conversation for another day, don’t you? When Mum’s out of the room because I amdyingto know what you got up to, Vi. Aren’t you, Rosie?’
Rosina had declined wine and was drinking water, saying she preferred to keep a clear head in case she got overemotional again. ‘I’m not really sure… well, actually, yes. Is it like that book?Fifty Shadesof rubbish.’
Violetta tutted. ‘Kind of… Anyway,Iwant to know all about Joel and when we get to see him again. We always liked him, didn’t we?’
Around the table heads nodded which prompted Carmen to make a suggestion. ‘Why don’t you ask him to call round later. He can have some takeaway or if he’s free, meet us down at the garden centre. He’s more than welcome.’
Leonora looked thrilled, and then cautious. ‘Really? Are you sure? It’s not too soon, you know, after dumping Caspar?’
‘Are you mad? Don’t start acting like Miss Prim and Proper when you’ve been jumping his bones…’
‘Violetta! Do you have to be so brutally frank all of the time?’ Carmen gave her ‘the look’ then turned to Leonora. ‘It’s fine. Just invite him, and Caspar is history so off you go. I can see you’re eager to ring him.’
Pushing back her chair Leonora blew her mum a kiss then shot from the room as Rosina asked another Caspar-related question. ‘So, are you going to deal with him, Mum, or should Vi do it?’
Carmen replied, ‘I’ll do it. I’m looking forward to putting that man in his place. I’ll ring him first thing and set up a meeting and in the meantime, Violetta, you should just ignore him, or block his number. I’ll suggest that Leonora does too.’
‘Are you sure you can handle him on your own? I’d rather come along in case he gets cocky and I have a few things I’d like to say to him when you’ve finished.’ Violetta drained her glass and slammed it on the table.
‘I will be perfectly fine and the last thing we need is you being arrested for GBH so, let’s forget about him now and enjoy the rest of the evening.’ Carmen knew only too well what Violetta was like when she lost her temper. She hoped that her daughter had never entertained a client on a day she was in one of her moods. Quite shocked by her own train of thought and really not wanting to go there, she quickly erased it from her mind and smiled, seeing Leonora enter the kitchen. ‘So, what did he say?’
Leonora was animated, her face flushed with happiness. ‘He’s going to meet us at the centre later. I think he’s a bit nervous if I’m honest but glad everything is out in the open.’
‘So, all that’s left is to tease the life out of Bern when he gets here… bless his cotton socks. He doesn’t know what he’s let himself in for, does he? Does he know me and Darcy are coming back?’ Violetta filled her glass, smiling mischievously.
‘Oh, leave him alone, Vi. You are such a tease. And yes he does. I told him on Friday and he was very pleased. It’s going to be lovely having you here and I am so looking forward to seeing Darcy every day.’ That was the icing on the cake, having the littlest grandchild to stay.
‘And she will love wrapping you around her finger every day too.’
Leonora then turned her attention to Rosina who was very quiet. ‘Are you okay, Rosie?’
‘I’m just a bit nervous about telling Lou, that’s all.’
Carmen’s heart went out to her. ‘Would it help if I was there, when you told him?’
Rosina shook her head. ‘No thanks, Mum. It’s something I need to do myself. I just need to pick a quiet time and then I’ll get it done with, well before next weekend, don’t worry.’
Carmen then remembered something. ‘Okay, and when we’ve finished our drinks you and I can go and sort this transfer out. I’d rather do it straight away then it’s one thing off your mind.’
Again, Rosina looked crestfallen and Carmen knew it was going to be a long road for her eldest. Clearing her debts was just the start of a journey and it would take time to heal whatever wounds resulted in her telling Lou, and for the guilt and shame she so clearly felt to ease.
Leonora took the attention from Rosina with a question for Violetta. ‘So, what’s going on with Candy? Will you miss working at the bakery? I used to love coming to see you there. It was a cool place, a real French vibe.’
‘Oh, basically she’s going on a voyage of discovery on a barge, down the Manchester Ship Canal with Dermot where they hope to rock the boat and make lots of babies.’ Violetta was getting merry and giggled at her own joke.
‘I wish I’d not asked now.’ Leonora looked confused.
‘And I won’t really miss the bakery. It was more a way of looking legit than anything but I did love chatting with the customers. That was my favourite bit really, and I knew most of them by name and what they liked.’ Violetta looked a bit wistful until Leonora popped her bubble.
‘I bet you did. I can see it now. Good morning, would you like ahot cross bum, sir? Or somewhippedcream on top of your hot chocolate, and maybe I could interest you in a lovelyQueen of Tartsand ooh, ooh… this is the best, wait for it… perhaps one of my specialties, sir, making yoursausage roll.’ Both she and Violetta were in hysterics and Rosina had cheered up, too, when they heard the front door slam and voices heading their way.
The dogs went crazy and raced off up the hall and above the racket, stifling her own giggles, Carmen called order. ‘Right, that’s enough. You two are terrible once you start.’
Leonora placed a finger over her lips while Violetta zipped hers and threw away the key. Before Carmen could say another word the kitchen was invaded by grandchildren and the dogs, followed by Lou and Bern.
Immediately bombarded by hugs, Darcy asked why they weren’t ready while Ella and Lola were raiding the crisp cupboard and Max and Tilly rummaged in the drawer for takeaway menus. Carmen took a deep breath and tried to take in the scene of total mayhem. Not for the first time in her life, she felt shattered before the evening had even begun while at the same time, dramas and revelations aside, knew without a doubt that she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Their mini family drama had been dealt with, so hopefully that meant no more big surprises, unless they were the type delivered by Santa and left under the tree. She was almost there. Five days to go until The Big Christmas Weekend and she couldn’t wait.
