The Science Of Second Chances//Book Two

Chapter 20~ The Text

Teddy's P.O.V

I was sitting at the table staring at the meal in front of me. Pea soup. I hated pea soup. It looked like spew and had a bland taste to it. I buttered myself a piece of toasted baguette and bit my teeth into it. To my left at the end of the table my mother was listening intently to my father who was on my right.

"We're going to have to book catering, Vi. You can do that for me, yes?" My father asked, looking at my mother with his sharp Grey-blue eyes.

"Of course, dear," my mother replied with a smile.

They were talking about father's function which was coming up in two weeks. I drowned most of it out as I reached for another piece of baguette, wondering when I could go upstairs and call Irene.
I paused, the baguette halfway towards my slightly ajar mouth. Putting down the baguette I cleared my throat.

"Father," I said sweetly. "Will I be attending the function?"

"Of course, Thea. Both your brothers are far too busy to attend so you'll have to do," my father said. I let his comment fly over my head like water off a duck's back. My father and I never got on. I was too wild for his liking and wasn't interested in any of his colleague's sons. He wanted me to be a proper lady. I wanted him to be accepting of my childish ways. I mean, after all, I was still a child. What did he expect? If he didn't want me to be childish he shouldn't have had children.

"Riley will be there, Thea. He's the son of-" my mother cut off when I shook my head.

"'No, no, I'm not having this conversation. Please, mother?" I asked, frowning slightly. My mother smiled softly.

"Of course, of course. Sorry, love. Continue."

I looked at my father, trying not to let the cold stare in his eyes affect me.

"Might I be able to invite a friend?"

"Friend?" My mother exclaimed, nearly dropping her spoon into the pea soup. "You have a friend? Oh, Thea, how wonderful! Why didn't you tell us earlier? Of course she can!"

"Violet, please," father said, shooting her a look before turning his attention back to me. "What is her name?"

"Irene Adler. She's new to school," I told him.

"And what's she like, this Adler girl?" Father asked with a slight frown. I smiled.

"Oh, she's amazing. She's ever so smart and beautiful and everyone at school loves her," I said truthfully.

"What about her family?"

I swallowed. This was the part where I would have to bend the truth. If I told my father that she lived above a pub where her mother worked and that her father was a one-hit wonder then that would be it. Irene wouldn't be able to come to the function.

"Her father travels around the world and her mother does something that involves wine. I think she makes it. Or maybe wine tasting, I can't remember," I lied. Father seemed to by it because he nodded briefly and went back to his soup.

"Ask her if she's interested, then. She can stay that night too, if you behave the rest of the week, Thea."

I excused myself from the table, rushing upstairs and nearly banging into Nessie, our maid.

"Woops! Careful, Miss Holmes," she smiled. I grinned back. Nessie, though at times a bit dull, was a sweet lady who was around Mycroft's age. I knew she had a thing for him, and I'm pretty sure Mycroft knew too, but because she was a maid there was no chance of them getting together. "Why are you rushing in the first place?"