Echoing love

Chapter Two

Kyles dads pov
For Michael Robinson, owner of Robinson's restaurant and brand, the day had to start with a good breakfast. He believed that nobody could work well on an empty stomach, though his stomach didn't show it, he was as flat as an ironing board, he never put on weight no matter how hard he tried. Today, because he was plagued with worries- about Kyle and about the war - he'd eaten more than usual; an omelette, a bowl on yogurt and granola a smoothie and was now tucking into sliced bread spread liberally with butter and jam.
'I wish I knew how world war 3 will affect the business,' he worried to Magda, his second wife, who was toying with her a lightly boiled egg.
'Not much, I hope.'
'I need spices from India, a plentiful supply. I'm afraid if the Americans start sinking our shipping ... If our supplies dry up, there'll be big problems.'
'Can't you get your supplies from somewhere else?'
'Where else do they fucking come from?' He shouted heatedly. 'Stupid bitch, they don't grow in England.'
The uncomfortable silence made him realise that'd he'd gone over the top. Especially now Magda was expecting again. He ought to treat her gently while she was in this condition, though to be honest, as far as he was concerned, another child would be another worry. Simon his 4 year old son, started to cry, shaming him further.
'All right, baby.' Magda turned to her child immediately, stroking his blonde hair in a motherly fashion. He didn't like to see her give more attention to the boy than she did him. 'It's alright, Simon. Dada's worried, that's all.'
'More tea,' Michael demanded, handing over his mug. With a forced smile Magda refilled it.
She was twenty-nine with plump cheeks and fresh firm skin. Her eyes were bright green, she was attractive to him. She wore dark brown hair curled.
The maid came dashing in with fresh toast. Michael always liked to finish with toast and peanut butter.
'Goodness knows where Kyle is this morning.' Magda's smooth face puckered into a frown. 'Clare, have you called him?'
'Yes, ma'am.'
'Do so again, if you please.'
Michael sighed. The fact that Kyle was late for breakfast was a regular irritation.
Magda's voice was a pitiful moan. 'He was late coming in last night too. I had to ask Clare to wait up in order to lock up after him. He's wild, Michael, and growing worse.'
Michael had learnt that Magda was getting her own back. She knew how to rub salt in the wound to make him fed-up with his older sons. Today it was Kyle. Malik was away staying with a school friend during his holidays, but when he was home she complained just as much about his behaviour.
'They're out of control. Do what the want. They stick-together, gang up against me. Nothing I say has the slightest effect.'
It had been Magda's idea that Malik be sent to boarding school. 'Separate them, that's the answer,' Magda had said. And so in an attempt to keep peace at home and please her , he had.
But once Malik was out of the way, Kyle had caused twice the trouble, and since he spent most of his time in the restaurant, Michael had to deal with it himself.
Magda had said: 'I don't believe he'll ever learn to run it properly.'
She didn't need to work on Michael like this. He'd had more than enough of Kyle this weekend. But of course he knew why she kept at him. Magda wanted him to see Jeffrey Masters and change his will. She wanted his to cut Kyle out, and leave a share of the business to her son Simon. And fuck it, he was beginning to think it would be the right thing to do. He'd had enough of Kyle. The lad wasn't serious about his work. His mind was never on it.
All the same, it upset Michael to hear her going on like this.
He knew she was picking up on the complaints he'd voiced to her over the past few months. He could remember only the good times with his first wife, Sydney. Kyle had been the apple of her eye, and to complain about him now seemed somehow disloyal to her. He remembered Sydney with great love. She'd never pissed him of like this.
Kyle walked slowly into the dining room, yawning and stretching loudly, he looked half asleep. Michael felt another outpoor of anger.
'You absolute twat. You'll have no time to eat.'
Kyle poured himself a cup of tea; his wary blue eyes glanced up at Michael.
'I'm not hungry, father. I don't want breakfast.'
Michael pulled himself to his feet with a jerk. He had to get away from his son. That wary glance reminded him of the argument that had been going on between the two over the long weekend. He'd heard the waitresses talking, suggesting he fancied one of the girls. He'd asked him about it on Saturday and they'd both become very angry. Kyle war way to involved with the workers. About a month ago Michael had caught him playing poker with a whole group of them in the lunch hour, and only last week he'd gone as far as to buy one lad a beer, Michael had whacked him good for that. Kyle didn't understand that he had to stay above the workers if he was to control them. He was like Peter Pan. What he needed was to grow up.
Michael decided to take a walk around his garden; there was still time before his train left, and it always calmed him. He loved the house and it's river bank position. Out in the front garden, he was hit by a mischievous breeze of the river. The tide was in and massive waves were thrashing against the esplanade and sprinkling up lacy foam that sparkled in the morning sun.
He took a deep breath and told himself the sun was good for him.
Michael's father had bought this land as soon as the brand he'd founded provided enough money, he'd then started up the restaurant. He'd had the house built in 1987 for him and his wife and called it high waves. Michael had lived her all his life. He thought of it as the Robinson family home, a place of security and comfort.
The house was made with a pearly white stone. On each side of the double front door there was a massive bay window.
The garden was beautiful with mowed lawns and multi coloured flowers growing everywhere that swayed in the wind.
He went through the side gate to the back garden and was immediate sheltered from the wind. He enjoyed walking round his territory first thing in the morning. He was proud of his roses, his chrysanthemums, his zinnias, all of his flowers, and he loved the tall black brick wall that protected them and gave the house privacy.
He surprised Clare's grey cat scratching in a rose bed and gave it an aggressive his, but it'd already seen him and shot down the cellar steps to the maids quarters. He despised the animal. Any damage to his flowers and he'd get somebody to strangle it.
Some inner clock warned Michael that time was getting on, and he went indoors to get his umberella and blazer. Before he reached the dining room he could hear Kyle arguing with Magda he opened the door and looked in, meeting Kyle's annoyed eyes.
'Let's go,' he said, he kissed Magda's neck, making her lift her head and giggle, purposely annoying Kyle. He knew Kyle still had to put on his cap and coat on, but he set of anyway. Kyle would have to catch him up. Michael felt he was way to old to run to catch the train.
It was a very picturesque journey to the factory. Today he went up the back garden and through the automated slide gates into old motor road, to clump energetically down past the array of shops to the train station.
Kyle caught him up outside the post office.'sorry, father.'
Michael replied 'I've been thinking... Perhaps it was a mistake to make you work in the restaurant so young, you were too young. It might have been better if you'd had experience of something else. It's not too late. Banking would be a useful thing to do.'
The ferocious blue eyes bounced tensely to his. 'What are you saying? You don't want me to go on working for you?'
'A break for a year or two. Give us both some well-needed space. You'll find banking useful.'
'I thought you wanted me to learn the business so I could take over...' Kyle's eyes raked his face again. 'Eventually, i mean. When your ready to retire.'
'Of course that's what I want.'
Michael sighed. He was finding lt beyond the bounds of possibility to be both father and boss. He and Kyle disagreed about everything.
Kyle had hardly started at the restaurant before he wanted to change everything. He said they needed new labelling, new recipes and new decor. He didn't know what he was talking about. Kyle challenged every decision his dad made; it had created a struggle that had nothing to do with benefitting the business.
Kyle had come to a stop, his furious eyes challenged Michael.
'It's because of Lavender Fray, isn't it? You want to get me out of the way, keep us apart.'
'No,' Michael said. 'No.' But of course that was what made moving Kyle vital now.
'Nothing you say will make me change my mind about her.'
Michael said slowly, pausing after every word 'she won't make a suitable girl for you.' He saw Kyle's chin stiffen with assurance.
Walking through the station, Michael gave up. The wind was stealing the words from his mouth, and he had to hold onto his hat. Once on board the trap he went straight to the smoking carriage to have a fag. He didn't feel like another fight; didn't feel like walking.

Cast list:
Emilie voe: Lavender fray
Lena headey: Clara fray
Gerran howell: Kyle Robinson
Keith-lee castle: Michael Robinson
Ellis Ferry: Daniel gillies(any tvd fans out there?)
Tracy Ferry: Alice Evans
Clare (the maid): Clare Thomas
Magda: Donna Grant
Simon Robinson: Blake Andrew Johnson

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