The journeyto The Brooker’s was quiet, but relaxed; the roads were fairly clear and although Jon and Steph chatted for some of the journey, the silences were comfortable and Steph was relieved that Jon hadn’t pushed her to discuss her visit to her dad. She knew he would be far from pleased with the afternoon’s events, but she had in no way contributed to them or even had an inkling that those events were even possible.
Steph came back to the present as Jon turned into a gated community where the road was lined with very high fences and very large houses hidden behind them. Cameron and Lucy’s house looked like a new build, a detached two storey house with eight windows spanning the width of the building on each level. To the side of the house was a separate building that was obviously a triple garage. Suddenly Steph felt overwhelmed by her current surroundings and wondered what Jon must have thought when he had visited her own modest family home. She jumped as Jon spoke to her and apparently not for the first time.
“Steph, come on, darling,” he said a little impatiently as he opened the passenger door of the Range Rover for her and offered her his hand.
She accepted the hand gratefully as she slid out of the car and looked around at the outside of the house and lawned gardens to the front of it before being led to the front door where their knock was answered almost immediately.
“Jon, Steph, come in please,” cried Lucy enthusiastically as she hugged and kissed each of them in turn before leading them down the light and bright hallway and then along a corridor to a large, comfortable lounge with a mixture of Italian leather sofas and soft, chenille covered chairs in deep reds and greens.
Despite her initial discomfort at the size and luxurious opulence of the house, this room immediately relaxed her with its homely feel.
Cameron got to his feet as they entered the room and hugged Jon before embracing Steph and saying, “We meet again, Steph, and I assume as you are here you are no longer my son’s ex-girlfriend.” He grinned with a wicked glint in his eye making her laugh regardless of her embarrassment remembering their first meeting.
“So it would seem,” she said, grinning back.
“Let’s introduce the rest of the clan then,” said Cameron. “My daughter Alexandria, her husband Eugene, my grandsons, Michael and Robert, and my granddaughter Ruth.”
They all looked at her and smiled.
Cameron continued, “Then there is my son Craig and his long suffering girlfriend Zelda. Lucy you already know and my other son you’re already familiar with,” he smiled as Jon shrugged at her. “Everyone, this unfortunate young lady that sees some hidden depths in Jon is Steph.”
Craig kissed her on the cheek while Alexandria and Zelda shook her hand quite business like. Eugene smiled but said nothing and the children seemed oblivious to the introductions going on around them.
“Shall we go into the dining room for dinner?” Lucy was already preparing to lead them all out of the room.
Once seated in the magnolia dining room that was dominated by the long, oak dining table with heavy, carver style chairs and matching sideboard and dresser, food was served and Steph felt slightly relieved not to be the centre of attention and sitting next to Jon relaxed her further. They all chatted between themselves with references to people unknown to Steph, but she assumed they were family members or mutual friends. The children kept staring down the table at Steph and the more she smiled at them the more they stared.
Eventually Ruth who was about six years old, spoke to ask, “Are you really a miner?”
Steph stared at the little girl and clarified, “Me? A miner? No.” She laughed, confused.
It was clear that the older boy, Michael, who was around eleven years old had hit or kicked the little girl beneath the table.
“Ow! Michael that hurt! I was asking if she was a miner because Mummy said she was a gold digger and I thought that was another name for a miner,” the little girl cried innocently.
“Ah,” said Steph, suddenly understanding. “I am not a miner.” She smiled and then turning to Alexandria said calmly, “Nor a gold digger.”
Steph was pleased that the other woman at least had the decency to look embarrassed and uncomfortable, but in turn felt bad that everyone else looked the same. Jon held her hand that was resting on her own knee and squeezed it supportively.
As the plates were cleared, Steph’s heart sank further as she realised that the main course was shellfish in many guises.
“Tuck in,” called Cameron as he piled his plate high.
Moving away from the table a little, Steph looked up at Jon and grimaced.
“Lucy, I am really sorry. I should have told you that Steph is allergic to seafood,” said Jon.
“Oh gosh, no! Let me get you something else,” offered Lucy kindly.
“The salad is fine, really.”
“No, you can’t eat salad at dinner,” protested Lucy and returned a few minutes later with pate, toast and a larger salad with new potatoes.
Steph gratefully accepted her makeshift dinner and tucked in enthusiastically.
“Are you proper allergic to seafood?” asked Craig smiling.
Steph nodded between mouthfuls. “Afraid so.”
