‘It’s so good to see you. And that beach looks stunning. Will you look at that blue sky behind you,’ said Rosie.
‘Hey, Mum,’ said Ben. ‘How are you? Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, dear, everything is more than okay. I’ve got Isobel and Bella here . . .’ she threw a warning look at Isobel.
‘Hi, Ben,’ trilled Isobel. ‘Glad you’re sunning yourself. Are you still in Bali or is it Thailand? I’m losing track of your exotic travels.’
‘Hey, Isobel, in Bali just now. Who knows where next?’
‘And have you got a special lady in your life?’ she asked.
Bella cringed knowing that her mum was about to start grilling him for details.
‘Maybe,’ he had said with a laugh.
‘Is Mabel back on then?’ asked Rosie.
‘Mm,’ he said in a very non-committal way.
Bella listened with interest as her mum and Rosie stared at the phone. Mabel?Interesting. Then Rosie thrust the phone at her.
‘Say hi to Bella, Ben,’ she insisted in that embarrassing way that mums did, regardless of how old you were.
Bella squinted as she looked at the phone and saw Ben sitting on a bench with a tropical scene behind him.
‘Hey, Bella, how are you?’
His sunglasses were perched on top of his head and she couldn’t help but notice hisveryimpressive pecs. He clearly was a guy who worked out. ‘Hi, Ben,’ she managed to say shyly when she realised he was waiting for her to say something. ‘Long time no speak.’Long time no speak.What was she on? Who said stuff like that? She wasn’tforty.
‘Good to see you and so weird to see you with Mum. How come you’re there?’
‘Oh . . . a long story but I thought I would pop over and see them both quickly. And I’m still here. I’m sure they’ll be trying to get rid of me soon,’ she said, wondering why she was spouting so much random chat at Ben who she used to play cars and dolls with. ‘I’m sleeping in your room,’ she added hastily.
He grinned and she had to steady herself, surprised at her reaction to seeing him and hearing his voice. ‘Lucky you. I’m sure it’s like a shrine.’
Bella laughed. ‘You could say that.’
‘Eh, less of the cheek. I heard that, Ben.’
But Rosie was smiling fondly at her son’s comments.
‘Um, well it’s good to see you, Ben. I better pass you back over to your mum. You know what they’re like.’
‘Aye,’ said Rosie. ‘This will be costing a fortune,’ she said.
‘It’s fine Mum, it doesn’t cost anything. Remember, I told you?’
Rosie shook her head. ‘So you did . . .’
Bella watched as Rosie took the phone outside to the garden.
‘I’ll just get the table sorted for dinner,’ said Isobel. ‘Make myself useful. I wonder if I should light some candles too and give the place a wee hint of romance. Maybe playCareless Whisperin the background?’
Bella rolled her eyes. ‘I think that would make it a tad awkward, Mum. Anyway, I might just, er, go and have a look for a job while I’m waiting then if that’s okay. Unless you want me to help?
‘On you go, lovey. I’ll give you a shout when it’s ready.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ she said, and then scampered up the stairs to Ben’s room before her mum noticed that she was blushing. She plonked herself down on the bed and realised she felt a little bit wobbly. As though she had butterflies in her stomach. What was that all about?
