Liz mustn’t have been able to hear us from in here, as she hasn’t turned around to greet us. Something doesn’t sit well with me when I look at her. Her movements seem rushed and not at all like herself. She scurries around the kitchen in a panic, wiping down the sides and pouring drinks. You would think the queen was on the way for a visit, not little old me.
“Liz?” My Dad calls from the door, a knowing look on his face like he had been watching her act like this for a while.
At the mention of her name, she jumps and spins quickly to look at us. A large smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes spreads across her face. It has been this way since the day I came home from college. Neither of us knows how to act around the other anymore.
“Hi,” I squeak, my voice not working the way it should.
“Oh, Lucy, come here.” She gingerly walks closer, her arms spread wide. I meet her halfway and wrap my arms around her. I wish it wasn’t this strained between us. It had never been this hard before.
But she is just as much to blame for all of this as I am.
“It is so good to see you. Was the journey home okay?” She asks as she leans back to look at me. Sadness is still visible on her face.
“Yeah, just long. I am ready for some of your amazing cooking.” I smile, trying to ease the awkwardness.
“It’s a good job, as I have made enough to feed the five thousand.” She laughs as she guides me over to the kitchen island. She’s not lying either; there is so much food laid out, I don’t even know where to start.
Nothing has changed in here, not that I ever thought it would, but after staying away for so long, you would think something would be different. Even the fridge magnets are in the exact same place.
“How is Sara? Did she make it back okay?” She asks, knowing that me and Sara are practically inseparable. This is the first time I have ventured home without her as backup.
“She’s good, we’re planning to meet up next week for a few nights in London. She said that she hopes you’ve made her some of your famous banana bread.” This makes her smile more genuinely. Probably because this is the most I have spoken to her in years. I am trying really hard here, and I know the key to Liz’s heart is to compliment her cooking skills.
“Then I will have to make you some to take.” She replies as she busies herself dishing up a bowl of food for me. “Here you go, Sugarplum.”
As soon as I have my first mouthful, I immediately moan. I haven’t tasted food this good in such a long time. I didn’t realise just how much I missed it until now. My taste buds are in overdrive. I’m not even sure what it is I’m eating, but it smells divine.
“This is amazing!” I exclaim between mouthfuls of food. “I can’t wait to see what you’re making for dinner.”
“Well, I hate to disappoint, but we’re having a takeaway tonight,” she admits. “My babies are never all in one place at once, so we’re having a family night. We’re going to pick Fallon up soon, and the boys are heading over later on.”
I feel the colour drain from my face. The food in front of me suddenly tasted like sawdust.
The boys are heading over later.
That can only mean one thing.
He is coming.
