O, Fortuna

Chapter 16

Deanna was the antithesis of her brother and father in disposition, immediately warm and carefree in conversation, her bright blue eyes surveying the work Grace had already done and had left to do before taking a post on the floor to help wind up the belts and fold the scarves neatly to be packed away. After Rosa left the two younger women to return to the kitchen, Grace enquired

"I was given to understand you wouldn't be home until Monday, your circumstances changed, I take it?" Deanna smiled over to her, nodding emphatically

"Yes, it’s called my husband wanting to go to back to the base to get pissed with his mates who are about to be deployed overseas" she shrugged nonchalantly, folding a long grey scarf in half "I would have preferred that he come up here with me to meet you but he didn't seem to think you would be in our lives long enough to make that effort worthwhile."

Grace sniggered, both at the comment and Deanna's frankness, another Phelps trait it seemed.

"Well, that might turn out to be true and if not, I'm sure there will be other occasions for us to meet" Deanna nodded agreeably to this. "Are you staying with us through to next week, then?" Once more, the new arrival nodded.

"Yes. There's a bit I should catch up on and Dad said he wanted some help tomorrow. And I really did want to meet you, honestly. I'm not sure Dad and Liam would have been much of welcoming committee, though I am certain Rosa will have been taking care of you." Grace once more found her humours divided but responded with a broad smile

"Rosa has thought of everything, welcome does not begin to cover it." To this, Deanna laughed heartily.

"So the old man and old boy were at their usual standoffish best? Seriously, you can't take them anywhere!"

"Standoffish is.." Grace began but then was pensive "that's not entirely fair, they haven't made me feel unwelcome and they've been quite prepared to listen and explain, in turn."

"Oh my god!" Deanna gaped "I'd have thought with the air of doom and gloom around this place in the last few weeks, they would have been at their wors--" she came to a sudden stop, looking mortified "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to seem so callous, a-a-about June's death, I mean, sorry."

The depth of sincerity in Deanna's remorseful expression was touching and Grace was quick to dispel the other woman's uneasiness.

"You really have no need to apologise. I can certainly understand if life around here became shrouded in uncertainty, June passing as suddenly as she did and then your finding out everything had been left to a stranger. It’s enough to put the wind up anyone." Deanna's features softened to a smile "I'm sorry that John Campbell did not take the trouble to explain to you all that June had left provisions in place, at least given you the knowledge of their being some security to your futures."

"Yes, well, John Campbell is a.." Deanna had obviously be quite prepared to be as frank on the subject of the solicitor as her brother but, with a quick glance at Grace, muttered another apology "there's my mouth, running away with me again." Grace sniggered.

"I've had time enough to form an opinion of Campbell of my own, so really, no need to apologise on that score either."

"Ah" Deanna replied, lifting her eyebrows "that sounds like a far lower opinion of him than he has of himself, for sure." With a nod, Grace smiled and tied off a fulsome shopping bag.

"A little more reserve on the subject of my expectations would have been useful" she explained to Deanna, who tilted her head thoughtfully "I seem to be having enough trouble keeping a level head without him telling me everything will be fine and dandy long before its set in stone." Reaching for another bag and opening it up on the floor for them both, Grace continued for her apparently captive audience of one. "Your husband is justified in believing I may not be here long enough for an acquaintance but if it does actually work out, as June wanted it, then I do intend on staying. Which is a nice segue, I suppose, to ask what your plans for the future are?" Deanna took a deep, pensive breath and might have responded had Grace not added "Your brother seemed to think you might move on, get a home of your own with your husband."