Never As It Seems

Chapter 29

Erin and Callum were in full swing when Amber arrived at the restaurant. Their favourite game was to order everything they knew they weren't allowed before their parents arrived. Callum was just finishing his second glass of cola and Erin was working her way through a chocolate brownie. Amber watched them with a smile.

"You know you're going to get into trouble." She said to neither in particular.

"No we won't." Erin responded matter of factly. "When you're here, Mum is always too focused on you and your future. She doesn't notice." She grinned.

Amber let out a loud laugh. "I guess you're right there."

Callum belched and then giggled. Erin looked at him in disgust and elbowed him in the side.

"Ow!" He protested.

"Anyway sis." Erin turned to Amber. "We wanted to get you on your own before the olds show up."

Amber was curious.

"We just wanted to know if you're doing okay? I mean... Well... You've kinda been different since... err... Well since Jay." She frowned.

Callum glared at Erin. "I told you not to mention him!"

"It's okay guys." Amber pitched in. "I'm fine."

"But that's the point." Erin continued. "We know you're not. We've known you our whole lives and you've never been this sad."

Amber looked down at the table feeling a wave of emotion about to attack. It had been four weeks now since Jay had left town and although she had tried to live some kind of normality, her sister was right, she couldn't shake the deep sadness that crept up on her when she least expected it. He'd be in Dublin now, she thought, before being pulled back to the activity in the restaurant. Her parents had arrived and Amber sighed with relief that she wouldn't have to explain herself to her siblings. Not yet anyway.

Once the family had ordered their food, they settled into easy conversation. They questioned Amber on her time helping out Dessa's father. He had recovered enough for her not to need to go in to him as often now and she was fully aware that her parents would be pushing her to fill her time with something else constructive. Not tonight it seemed though. Sarah had a different agenda.

"So our holiday is coming up." She reminded them all. "It was Erin's turn to choose where we go this year and I thought we had it sorted weeks ago but..."

Erin looked nervous as her mother continued.

"...She has changed her mind."

They all looked at Erin and she shrugged.

"I just fancied something different this year. I have it all sorted. I've picked a hotel and everything! I just need you to agree Mum!" She shuffled in her seat and they all moved their gaze to Sarah.

"Well I've decided it's a great idea and we'll do it." She smiled.

"Yes!" Erin almost shouted and then quickly composed herself.

"So where are we going?" Callum asked excitedly.

"Well." Erin turned to him. "We had to stay in this country as Mum has some work stuff and I was kind of bored of beaches and hiking. So I was thinking how cool it would be to explore another city. And what better city than the capital itself?"

"Were going to London?" Callum asked. Amber couldn't tell if he was excited or apprehensive.

Erin beamed as her response.

"Well err... I guess it'll be different." Their father concluded. "I haven't been to some of those museums for years!"

"Museums." Callum repeated, screwing up his face.