June 13th 2016

For you all.

Sarah, xx

~*~*~

"I've thought of something that might cheer you up."

"Oh, have you?"

"Yes. Ask me what I'm wearing?"

"What are you wearing?"

"I'm wearing a top that barely covers my chest and bottoms that hardly contains my modesty. I'm all hot and sweaty and wet."

"..."

"I'm in a bikini at the swimming pool."

"I knew that."

"Uh huh. And, look! There goes a flying pig."

"Shut up. If you're at the pool, why are you on the phone?"

"Because I just finished my afternoon swim and I wanted to hear your voice. I couldn't wait, so I rang."

"I'm glad you did. I needed a distraction."

"Oh, no. That doesn't sound good. What's happened?"

"You'd be better off asking what hasn't happened. Veronica's been hanging around, which I can tolerate at times, but today? Evelyn came to the house and... let's just say, you should never go up against a mother bear."

"Which one is mother bear?"

"Evelyn."

"Please, tell me she put Veronica in her place."

"She did. It was amazing! Soph, I wish you could have been here to see it."

"I can well imagine. Evelyn has always been very protective of you and Samuel, so it wouldn't surprise me that she gave Veronica a piece of her mind. Did Veronica try to fight back?"

"She got one word out of her mouth, then Evelyn drowned her out once more and went on another tirade. You should have seen her lecturing Veronica about trying to call me her 'son.'"

"Veronica tried to call you her son?! Crazy bitch."

"That's what Evelyn said. In a more... well, less, sophisticated way. She turned the air blue. I didn't think she even knew half the words that came out of her mouth, let alone was capable of vocalising them."

"There's nothing a mum wouldn't say or do for her son."

"Except, Evelyn isn't my mum."

"Not all mothers and sons share the same blood, Daniel. DNA doesn't make anyone a mum or dad, actions do that."

"... Yeah, I know you're right, but..."

"There are no buts, of any kind."

"I know."

"So, anything else going on?"

"Not really. It's a boring day."

"Boring?"

"Samuel is watching the football. Stupid Euros. Connie and Alfie are walking the grounds. Jenna, Elias, Nola and Snuggles are back in London. And you? You're in New York."

"Not for long. I'm coming back on Thursday, remember?"

"Thursday?"

"Do you need me there sooner?"

"No... Thursday is good. Do you need me to come pick you up from the airport?"

"No, Dad is picking me up. I'm spending Friday with him and Luc and then I'm driving out to Amesbury Friday night. By the way, your text this morning?"

"What about it?"

"I get why I need a mourning dress, black and covering the shoulder, preferably, but why do I need a garden party dress and an evening gown?"

"I told you that the funeral wouldn't be like your usual one. The funeral is in the morning, then there's a garden party in the afternoon to 'celebrate' Laurence's life, and finally, Saturday night, there's a huge family dinner. The funeral should be fine, as well as the garden party, but the dinner will be excruciating. Are you up for it?"

>

"Really? You're with Jasmine?"

"When am I not with Jasmine? But yes, the whole thing is fine with me. Anything for you."

"Anything? Even facing up against Veronica?"

"Especially that. No one gets to make you feel like crap, and those that do, have to face me!"

"Pretty sure that it should be me that's saying these kinds of things to you."

"You'll get your chance, I'm sure. Now, want to hear another way I can put a smile on your face?"

"Go on, then."

"I."

"You?"

"Love."

"Me?"

"Raspberry sorbet."

"Not where I thought that was going."

"Well, you kinda ruined where it was headed. So..."

"I love you, 'gator."

"I love you, too, baboon. Are you smiling yet?"

"I'm always smiling when I'm with you. Or, when I'm on the phone with you."

"I can hear the sadness in your voice, you know?"

"I know."

"Virtual hug?"

"Haha, yeah, ok."

"Here you go... Did you feel it?"

"Yes."

"... I should have come back with you."

"Sophie, we've talked about this."

"I still feel like a really bad... you know... about not coming back with you."

"Is Jasmine still around? Is that why you can't say 'fiancée'?"

"Exactly that."

"I know how you feel, but it's fine. Honestly. I told you to stay in New York, so stop worrying about me."

"Never."

"When did you get so soppy?"

"Um... probably around... Valentine's Day, when you tried to kill me by sending me flowers."

"In my defence, I didn't know you were allergic to flow... shit, are you going to be able to sit in the church on Saturday with all the flowers? We can get rid of the flowers!"

"I'll take plenty of antihistamines and nasal steroids, and I'll be fine."

"Nasal steroids?"

"It's a spray that goes up your nose. It'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Might be a little drowsy after, but it's nothing I haven't gone through before."

"Did you have to go through this after Valentine's Day?"

"Um... I'd rather not say."

"Shit, you did!"

"I was fine. Eventually."

"Eventually?! That's it. The flowers have got to go."

"Shut up, they don't. As long as I start taking the medication before I come into contact with flowers, I'll be fine."

"But-"

"KEEP THE DAMN FLOWERS, DANIEL."

"Ok, ok. No need to shout, woman."

"Well, keep the flowers then."

"I shall."

"Good."

"Good."

"Good."

"Why are we arguing over flowers?"

"I'm not sure."

"Haha... can we stop now?"

"It's already forgotten."

"Thank God."

"Is this our first argument?"

"Really?"

"..."

"No, it isn't."

"But it's the first since we got engaged."

"We've been engaged for a week, Sophie. We should not be arguing already."

"At least our relationship will never be dull."

"Well, let's curb it for now."

"Deal."

>

"You've been summoned."

"I have, indeed."

"That means you've got to go."

"I know."

"So, go."

"I'm going."

"Then you need to hand up."

"I will."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Ok, I'm going! I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Speak tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"..."

"What?"

"What?"

"I can hear the cogs of your mind turning, Soph."

"No... no cogs."

"Uh huh."

"..."

"..."

"I love you, Daniel. Very much."

"I love you very much, too."

"Ok. I'm going now. Bye."

"Good night, Sophie."