“Thought I’d get this ready for you, Mrs C.” What a charmer and of course, Mum thinks he is wonderful. It’s probably the only thing he’s done in the last few months, yet he now has ‘helpful’ status in her book.
“Thank you, Tommy, that’s good of you.”
Cal has a cute smirk on her lips when she glances between Tommy and me. “I didn’t know you were so domesticated Tommy,” she teases. “Do you go to this much trouble for Angie?”
But his response isn’t as light-hearted. “I haven’t seen her for a few days. We’re cooling things down.”
Cal glances over to me before answering, “Oh, I’m sorry, Tommy. Angie didn’t say.”
His shoulders seem to slump. “No great shakes.” Then hebites his bottom lip as if he’s thinking. “I better get in the shower. I promised Mrs C I’d make an effort.”
“Well done, Tommy. It will make all the difference,” Mum shouts behind him.
“Laters,” is all he says as he leaves the kitchen, in more of a sullen mood.
“Come sit down Calla.” Mum indicates to the chair, thankfully moving the conversation along. “I want to know all about you.”
I make a note to check in with Tom later and make sure he’s okay. Things have been so crazy around here, any time we get together is usually something to do with the band. We should try to grab a beer at some point, just to cut loose for a few hours.
Cal pulls out a chair then takes a seat. “There isn’t too much to tell at the moment, Mrs—I mean Liz,” she blushes. “I’m still at university.”
“You are? How wonderful. What are you studying?”
“Business and economics. I’ve just completed a placement year in London, actually.”
“And how was life in the big smoke?”
“To be honest, it’s only confirmed where I don’t want to be. London was the goal, but not anymore. It’s not for me. I hope to start a business of my own eventually, but I need a few years of work experience first.”
“How exciting.” Mum glances over as she reaches into the cupboard and I catch the gleam in her eyes. “You’ve got a smart girl on your hands here, Ashton.”
“I’m afraid my life isn’t as exciting as your son’s at the moment.”
“Ahh, the band.” Mum looks all misty-eyed now. Is she going to cry? “You know I’m so proud of Ashton and the boys. They’ve worked hard to get this far, but obviously, I’mnot looking forward to him being away so much.” She sighs. “Ash has been my rock these past few weeks Calla, and I don’t know what I’d do without him, but I also want him to follow his dreams. Music is all he’s ever cared about. I think he studies only to please his dad and me, but the band is what he wants more than anything, and I want it for him too.”
Shit, she’s going to make me cry in a minute, and I’m pretty sure Cal is tearing up a bit when she looks up at me. “You’re so lucky to have such a supportive mother, Ash.”
“I’m sure your parents are the same, Calla. It’s what we do.”
Bollocks. Maybe I should have filled Mum in on Cal’s background, but I don’t need to worry as it goes. Cal handles it without so much of a blink. “No, not mine. I don’t have a dad… not strictly speaking and my mum—hmm, how do I put this—she isn’t the most supportive, in fact, she’s barely around these days.”
“Oh, Calla, I’m so sorry.”
Cal looks away. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, isn’t that the saying?”
“Or the song by Kelly Clarkson,” I add absentmindedly.
Cal and Mum both stare towards me at exactly the same time. Mum scowls, but Cal says, “That too,” which brings a tiny smile to Mum’s face.
Cal turns her attention back to Mum. “Please don’t be sorry for me, Liz. I have my grandparents, and they’ve brought me up. They’re not here most of the year now… I miss them, but they deserve their retirement.”
“Do I know your family?” Mum asks. I note Cal’s eyebrows knit together and her lips form a tight line. “I’m not sure. My grandparents are Vaughn and Sue Bryson? Mum said it was easier if I took their name, but of course, that was before I found out my dad isn’t my dad.”
Calla is almost babbling. For one, I didn’t know half this stuff, and two, she looks worried, like she’s admitted something she shouldn’t. Meanwhile, Mum is racking her brains.
“Bryson…it rings a bell. What was your mum's name?”
Calla’s soft white skin blushes as she says, “Vivienne.”
