Banana Girl: a thatcherjoe love story

Chapter 29- Mr and Mrs Sugg

"What if they hate me?"
"Violet, will you stop! They are not going to hate you, they are not going to try and split us up, they will not judge you, and they will like you, I promise! Now stop panicking and go get ready, they'll be here in 3 hours."
"You're forgetting. I can't go get ready, I need you to help. My shoulder and my leg, remember?"
"Shut up!" He teased, "come on!"
It was one of our last days days in NYC, having had an extra 3 weeks out here anyway, so I didn't have many clean clothes left, and I couldn't wear jeans and a shirt with my injuries. This meant shopping.
We went out and bought a white maxi dress with a pink belt, pink pumps and white earrings, a short, cream lace dress with a brown belt, coffee-coloured kitten heels and a rose-gold bracelet, and a navy blue knee-length dress with flat brown boots.
"Jesus, Vi, how are we ever gonna fit all of this in your suitcase?!"
"Oh, we'll figure something out!"
_______________

"Oh my god! Vi! Vi, that's them!" He shouted from the bathroom, right after the doorbell rang.
"Oh god!" I panicked, steering my wheelchair over to the bathroom door and combing my hair with my fingers.
"Joe, come out! And bring my lipstick!"
"Which one?"
"The caramel colour!"
"Got it!"
He came out the bathroom and passed me my lipstick, correcting my sling as I corrected my makeup.
"Okay, let's go." He wheeled me over to the door and kissed me before opening it.
"Joe, Darling!" Cried his mum, kissing him once on both cheeks and hugging him tightly, "oh! And your girl! Hello, sweetheart!" She bent down to kiss my cheek too, and then introduced herself, "Now, lovely, my name is Tracey, but anyone that knows me calls me Trace."
"Great! I'm Violet, anyone who knows me calls me Vi. It's lovely to meet you!"
"Well, yes, and you!"
"Where's Dad?" Smiled Joe.
"He's just unpacking the car. You go down and help with the cases, darling!"
"Cases?"
"Yes. Zoe told you we're staying in the hotel. Didn't she?"
"Oh, uh, yeah! Yeah!" He was a terrible liar. Really, really bad.
"Um... Just out of interest," he blushed, "how long are you staying? I mean, like, a... Uh... Roundabout figure?"
"Roundabout figure?"
"He means," I said, saving him from total embarrassment, "he means, around how long are you planning to stay? Zoe didn't mention it." I, thankfully, was an amazing liar.
"Ah, right! Yes! Um, a week."
"A week?!" Squealed Joe, who for some reason didn't want his own mother to stay for more than a couple days.
I nudged Joe to shut him up, and tried to cover up his stupidness,
"A week? Great! That gives us time to really get to know each other! Lovely!"
Silence.
"Joe, babe, could you come with me for a sec?" He hesitated, but was clearly willing to leave his mum, God knows why.
He steered my chair to the bathroom, and we both went in. He perched on the edge of the bath, counting the bathroom tiles and tracing pictures in the misted-up mirror.
"Joe!"
"What?!"
"Why are you being so rude?!"
"Rude?"
"Yeah! To your mum! What's wrong with you?!"
"Me?! She's the one that's-"
"Shh!"
"Sorry!" We were whispering now, but they were still angry whispers.
"She's the one that's-"
"So far she's been lovely, I can't see a problem with her."
"Yeah, but-"
"Joe! Just go downstairs and help with the luggage, then come back up. Simple! I'll keep your mum happy, just be as quick as possible. Go!"
I wheeled myself out of the bathroom and over to the kitchen.
"Bye, Joe, Darling!" She waved, shutting the door behind him.
"Would you like a drink?" I asked, a wide smile spread on my face.
"Oh, yes, please, sweetheart. Can I have water?"
"Course!" I knelt up in the chair, trying to avoid putting pressure on my knee, and turned on the tap, grabbing a glass as I did. Tracey walked over and took the glass, thanking me, then downing the whole lot in seconds.
"Thirsty?" I joked, with a smile, which she returned.
"Yes! Long journey."
I took a Sprite from the mini fridge and poured it into a cup, watching the tiny, glass-like bubbles float to the top and explode as they reached the surface.
"How are you and Joe getting on then?"
"Oh, really well!"
"Good! How long have you two been together now?"
"Hm. I think... 6 months. Minus 4 days."
"Lovely! So we can all be together on your 6 month anniversary! Oh, lovely!"
"Yes! We should do something really special!"
"Yes! It's just a pity..." She signalled to the chair, "ah well."
She was acting as though it was my fault I was in a wheelchair.
"Another drink?" She asked, passing me her empty glass.
I smiled through gritted teeth and obediently filled it.

A/N
Heya! Just to say, I don't know anything about Suggy's parents in real life, so had to improvise here. Will try to kick them out of the book ASAP, as they're already getting on my nerves!! ;)
R xx