Page 40 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
Connie held up her hand. ‘Before you guys give her a hard time, I think you should know that Claudia did just turn up with a massive bag of cakes from The Sardine.’
‘In that case, say no more!’ cheered Ewan. ‘Apology accepted.’
Matt nodded enthusiastically. ‘And anytime you feel like guilting yourself into more cake deliveries, be our guest!’
‘Men and their stomachs!’ laughed Rosie, rolling her eyes.
‘I brought you a brownie,’ said Claudia. ‘Kate said you like them.’
Rosie grinned at her. ‘Okay, you win—I’m with the boys. You’re definitely forgiven.’
‘You weren’t even here!’ laughed Ewan.
‘Hey, what can I say?’ said Rosie with a shrug, ‘I like her style!’
‘Can I ask you something?’ said Matt, cocking his head and peering across the table at her.
‘Erm… sure?’ said Claudia, with a flutter of nerves.
‘Your mum sent you to find out about us, right?’
Claudia nodded. She wasn’t sure how that information had got back to the boys, but even after such a short time in Seabury, she wasn’t surprised. News here seemed to seep up through the bedrock.
‘And she wanted you to find out about us because Freya’s marrying Rory?’ continued Matt.
Claudia nodded again, cringing slightly. Was he about to put her on the spot in front of everyone, and demand to know why she’d agreed to it?
‘Well,’ said Ewan, ‘we were just wondering if Freya knows you’re in town.’
Matt nodded.
‘No,’ said Claudia. ‘She doesn’t. That’s kind of the whole point.’
‘I don’t get it,’ said Rosie.
Claudia glanced at her, but there wasn’t a hint of nastiness in her face, just curiosity.
‘Well,’ said Claudia, wondering how to put this. ‘Mum’s always been…’
‘A lot!’ said George, filling in her pause.
‘Right,’ laughed Claudia, grateful that even though he was busy trying to get Melody to settle, George was right there when she needed him. ‘She’s a lot. And I’ve always done everything I can to cushion Freya from the worst of her behaviour. I guess I always figured that if I took the brunt of it, at least Freya stood a chance of feeling like she’s got a half-decent parent.’
‘That officially sucks,’ said Connie, plonking herself into one of the chairs next to Claudia and wrapping an arm around her. It felt like the most comforting headlock she’d ever been in.
‘Can I give you a bit of advice?’ said Matt.
‘Uh oh, here comes Dr Pepper,’ chuckled Ewan.
Matt promptly poked his brother in the ribs, making him squirm.
‘All I was going to say is that I spent quite a bit of time trying to do that too,’ said Matt. ‘I played the big brother a lot and thought I was shielding the other three. They just ended up thinking I was a bit of a dick.’
Ewan sniggered.
‘You think Freya thinks I’m a dick?’ said Claudia, doing her best to hold in a giggle.
‘Jeez, Matt, way to welcome our guest!’ said Rosie with an exaggerated huff.
