"Hello?" Pt. 1

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?"