Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 6

A few weeks later they were landing in Manchester, which for once was not grey and wet but bathed in early morning sunshine. Emmie had slept few a few hours, watched a little TV but was understandably a little tired and grumpy waiting in line for immigration checks. Allie was still using her original work visa, but had applied for a green card following the wedding. Since she was on a UK passport she went through a different line and waited for the others on the other side. Emmie wanted to go with her and had cried when she couldn't, so as soon as the others joined her she picked up the tired little girl and cuddled her. "Soon be there Emmie. We just need to get our bags and the car now. You have been such a good girl." Daniel took over carrying her and once they were in baggage reclaim the men went to get the cases while Allie, Margie and Emmie waited to one side. The last stop was the car hire desk where Allie got the documents and keys to the seven seater they'd ordered and confirmed they had a car seat for Emmie.

They found the right car and piled everything in. Max was in the passenger seat, Margie on the back seat and Daniel And Michael were either side of Emmie who Allie saw was already dropping off to sleep as she drove out. Max was apprehensive as Allie navigated towards the motorway on what to his mind was the wrong side of the road using a shift stick. Seeing his face Allie smiled and said, "Relax Max, I'm used to it and I know where I'm going." He made a mental note that this was one more thing Allie impressed him with. Eventually they left the motorway and Allie glanced in the mirror seeing both Daniel And Michael had fallen asleep. Max was watching with interest through the window as they drove through the countryside and she said quietly, "Look at those two Max." He swivelled around and turned back fondly, "Margie's out cold too. You okay Allie?" Allie nodded, "Yeah I'm fine. I'll sleep like the dead when I hit my bed though."

Realising the Saturday was Max and Margie's actual silver wedding anniversary, they had booked them into a manor house turned hotel in the centre of the village, figuring they may find squeezing into Allie's house with a jet lagged small child less than fun. Allie had arranged for her neighbours to watch Emmie so the adults could join them for a meal in the restaurant at the small hotel to celebrate. She headed for the hotel first and a staff member appeared to help them unload. Daniel stirred and Margie leaned in to kiss him and a sleeping Emmie. Allie hugged them both, said she'd come collect them later and jumped back into the car for the short drive to the house. Pulling into the drive Daniel said, "Look at sleeping beauty, and I don't mean Emmie." Allie turned and laughed fondly looking at her husband, "Hang on, I'll just get the door open and turn the alarm off so you can get in, I'll come back for him." Daniel lifted his sleeping daughter out and followed Allie into the house and up the stairs to a pretty bedroom. Allie pulled back the duvet and he dropped Emmie in, removing just her shoes and coat. She grumbled a little as he eased the coat from under her but was quickly asleep again.

Allie rubbed Daniel's back as he tucked Emmie in and he followed her out. She went back to the car and Daniel grabbed a case whilst Allie leaned in to kiss her sleeping husband. He stirred a little and she said, "We're here Michael, wake up." Daniel opened the door on the other side of the car, "I just carried Emmie in, but I'm not carrying you Michael, so wake the hell up." Michael grinned and stretched before heaving himself out of the car grabbing a couple of bags. Allie locked the vehicle and went into the kitchen. She filled the kettle to make them all coffee before they headed to bed for a few hours sleep.

Allie had set the alarm for twelve thirty so they wouldn't be awake all night. Daniel was in the guest room on the third floor above them and she could hear him moving around the en-suite. Michael however was still sleeping soundly, so she woke him gently and he reluctantly headed for the shower. Allie grabbed some clothes and used the shower in the family bathroom. Coming out she could hear Daniel in the kitchen with Emmie so she headed down. He'd poured her some milk and found some bread and butter for toast, but Emmie was demanding her favourite cereal. Allie ruffled her hair and messaged Max and Margie who immediately replied they were up and about and had eaten from room service. She arranged to collect them in thirty minutes and said "We'll just grab some toast and then I'll go pick up Max and Margie and drop them here to watch Emmie while the three of us run to the supermarket just down in the next village if that works? And I know they have your favourite cereal Emmie so we can bring you a box back okay?" Michael had come in and he filled the kettle to make coffee while Daniel dealt with the toaster and Allie tidied up Emmie's hair before drying hers off with the hairdryer.

An hour later Margie was out exploring the garden with Emmie, while Max sat in the sun room watching them. The doorbell rang and Max answered it to find a man who announced he was Barry the next door neighbour. Max ushered him in despite his protestations that he would come back later when Allie was home. He wouldn't have a coffee but he sat down, "I'm Max, Allie's boss . That's my wife in the garden, Margie. We're staying at the hotel in the village, leaving the house to the young ones" Max said winking. Barry nodded, "Nice to meet you. I recognised the idiot who came last time without a coat. I presume he's the one Allie's married?" Max chuckled recognising the words had no bite but reflected Barry's dry sense of humour. "Yeah the coatless idiot is Michael, but I promise you Barry he loves Allie and treats her like a queen. The other one is another one of mine, Daniel" Barry looked surprised, "one of yours, are they your sons?" Max shook his head, "To be honest Barry I kinda see 'em like that, but I meant Dan works for me. Michael works for another firm, but I've known him years." Barry looked out to the garden "And who's is the child we'll be looking after tonight?"
"That's Emmie. - Daniel's." Barry nodded, too polite to ask where the mother was. "I just wanted to check Allie was alright and what the arrangements were for tonight." He paused, "Judith and I worry about her, especially when we heard she'd been badly injured in a shooting." Max shook his head, "Yeah, that was just about the worst day of my life. Thankfully she's completely recovered now." Barry sighed, "When she was in London she was often up here at weekends, and as I told her when she said she was thinking of taking a job overseas, she wouldn't be able to retreat back so easily from another country." Max leaned forward wanting to reassure him, "She's happy you know Barry. She has a husband who'd walk over hot coals for her and lot of folk around her who really care about her."

Margie and Emmie came from the garden through the utility area. Before Max could introduce his wife Emmie jumped on him and said, "Where's mommy?" Barry looked confused and Max answered, "Still getting groceries pumpkin, she'll be back soon." Barry blurted out, "I thought this was the other chap's child?" Margie held out her hand as Max introduced her and Emmie wriggled down and ran out of the room. Max shrugged, "It's a long story Barry, but basically Emmie wanted to call Allie mommy and none of us could think of a good reason why she shouldn't." Barry looked aghast, "How very American! Well it was very nice to meet you both. Maybe you could ask Allie to call in later when she has time so Judith and I can catch up."