Feelings

Feeling nostalgic

"We've come a long way, haven't we darling?" he looked down at her as they watched Tom's nieces playing in the garden at his mum's house.

They'd driven down the following weekend to celebrate their victory with the family. Emma had dropped off her kids and gone out for a couple of hours on an errand.

It was a sunny day, like so many sunny days they'd had over the years in just that spot. Nothing had changed - other than them. The same grass, the same trees - if a little bigger, and the same noisy fun.

"We certainly have. Do you remember us playing right there at their age?" She smiled. Of course he did. It was how this had all started.

"Yeah, I seem to remember you were horrible to me! Hiddlepiddle indeed!" he squeezed her against his side,"but I'm so glad."

"Really?" She was puzzled.

"Well, if you hadn't been so obnoxious, I might have forgotten you amongst the millions of screaming banshees that Emma was friends with over the years. You, you little monster, you stuck in my mind." he bent down and kissed her softly,"and for that? And a rude woman who tried to come on to me and failed? I will be eternally grateful."

"I'm flattered - I think!" she laughed and pushed him away, walking back into the house. "Drink?"

"Yeah, I'm parched... Mum? Are you there?" he followed her inside, briefly unable to see in the relative gloom.

"Yes, love?" her voice floated through from the living room, followed quickly by her as she came into the kitchen.

"When's Em coming for the kids?" he asked, sliding into a seat at the well worn wooden table.

"About 4, I think. Don't you remember? We were going to have dinner all together, and then she's taking them home. You two are staying, aren't you?" she looked at them a little suspiciously.

"Oh yes, well, I think we are - aren't we Tom?" Sophie looked at him with a frown. 

"Yes, yes we are, I just wondered if Soph and me had time to go out for a bit. What time is it now?" He looked at the kitchen clock, the same one they'd measured their entire lives by, "hmm 1.30. Ok, we'll be back in a couple of hours. Just need to get some fresh air. Come on, love?" he stood and held out his hand.

"I thought you wanted a drink?" she said, kettle still in her hand.

He nodded, "Yeah, but I've a hankering for a Coke float. And I know exactly the café to get it in."

"A what??" she was astonished.

"A Coke float - you know - ice cream floating in a glass of Coke. Very healthy - NOT!" he laughed two dots of pink on his cheeks. The giant six year old was back.

"I know that, I'm not a complete numpty!" she stood hands on hips , head to one side."I meant, why? That's not like you!" Even his mum was confused now. She walked over to stand next to Sophie, leaning against the counter.

"What are you up to Thomas?" she gave him her best 'mum stare', and he wilted.

"God, you two are good at this. You should take up interrogation professionally. I'm sure MI6 could use you!"

Simultaneously, the two women crossed their arms and stared, and he gulped, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Ok, ok, I - I have a little surprise for Sophie. Ok? I'm NOT going to say any more. It would spoil it." he smiled, and they knew he'd admit no more. He was, if nothing, the best keeper of secrets they'd ever met. Sophie and Diana exchanged looks, and Sophie grabbed her hoodie from the back of another chair.