Sex Education

Step it Up

AN: x's for a wee bit a spice.

Liam was fidgeting at the breakfast table, and his mam noticed. Of course she did.

"You were up early. Where were you?" She asked.

Liam shrugged.

"Went a walk."

"Alone? Mary Crawford took unwell at mass today, you know." She said casually.

Liam dropped his fork onto the plate with a clatter at the mention of her name. Liam felt his face heat shamefully.

"Alright Agatha fucking Christie. Yes. Fine. I didn't fucking listen to you. We've been...seeing each other." He blurted out.

Peggy's fork clattered onto her plate.

"You better be joking with me, Liam."

Liam shook his head.

Peggy exhaled shakily.

Liam's heart began to race as he watched her calm expression.

"Jesus Christ, Liam?! I told you to stay away! God forgive me, why don't you ever listen?!" She shouted as she became agitated.

She stood up and began to pace in the kitchen.

Liam sighed.

"Mam, I like her. And she likes me."

Peggy laughed mirthlessly as she trained her icy blue eyes on him.

"Oh, I'm sure you do the same way you like all the girls that have gone before, and that'll come after her. She likes you because you're giving her attention. Liam...leading her on just so you can...well...I'm not gonna be crude with you, but -"

Liam stood up making an angry scraping sound against the floor with his chair.

"It's not like that with her! We haven't...I've not-ugh mam just leave it alright?"

"Just leave it?! Where exactly are you "seeing" her? In this house? Under my roof? I won't have it. Don't put that on me, Liam."

Keys turning in the lock was the only sound in the tense silence. Noel looked nervously between them both.

"I'll just let mesel' out." He mumbled.

"No!" They both shouted in unison.

"I need a voice of reason in all of this. Tell him what you've been doing, Liam?" Said Peggy looking at Liam with folded arms.

Liam rolled his eyes.

"Mam, he knows. He saw us... kissing."

Peggy now directed her ire towards Noel.

Noel gave Liam a scathing look that said,'cheers for dropping us in this shite with you.'

"You knew?! After I specifically said, you heard me saying he wasn't to see her?"

Noel nodded.

Peggy made a disgruntled sound.

"Mam, he likes her. Just leave it. He's 19, and she's old enough."

Liam almost broke his neck, looking over at Noel. Noel was...on his side. Noel was... defending him. He felt a warmth in his chest.

Peggy pressed her palms against her closed eyes in despair.

"Like?! Like is all good and well. You like them well enough until you have had yer fill, and the next sexy young thing walks by, or God forbid you get them pregnant, and then yous aren't seen for dust!" She said desperately.