Shattered Hearts

Chapter 42

"Lottie don't worry, my mom won't bite," Louis said, urging Charlotte through the door of his parents' house. At least he assumed she wouldn't since she'd insisted they bring Jamie along as well. That had to be a good sign, her wanting to meet Charlotte's son.

"Sorry," Charlotte said resting her hand on her stomach. "I don't know why I'm so nervous."

"Hey, I'm always nervous when I enter the dragon's den."

"Not funny," she said but he could see she was trying not to smile. She held onto Jamie's hand as he led them through to the living room.

"Mom, meet Charlotte and Jamie," he said awkwardly as his mom stood up smiling. "Well, I'm sure you remember Lottie from all those years ago, or from when you've picked Lucy up from kindergarten."

"Louis you're rambling," his mom said shaking her head. "Charlotte, Jamie, do sit down. I'm so pleased you were able to find the time to join me."

Charlotte looked uncertainly at Louis before sitting down, while Jamie hovered at the side of her seat. "Mrs Kinsella, it's good to see you," she said her voice stilted. "Thank you for having us."

"Please call me Maria, you always used to."

Charlotte flushed. "That seems like such a long time ago."

"Yes, you were only a girl back then."

Louis sat at the edge of his seat while they made small talk, silently willing his mom not to say anything contentious. He began to relax when he realised that apart from mocking his academic achievements - which was well deserved - she was being perfectly polite.

"Louis, why don't you take Jamie through to the kitchen and get him some milk and cookies," she said startling him. "I baked them especially." She gave him a big smile. "And once you've done that, you can bring some through for me and Charlotte, run along now." 

What am I five years old, he thought, and he could see Charlotte stifling a smile. "Okay Jamie," he said standing up. "Let's see what these cookies are like. I bet they're burned." He ushered Jamie out of the room. "She's an absolutely terrible cook." He spoke loud enough for his mom to hear but she didn't retaliate. They went into the kitchen and he opened the oven, breathing in the smell of freshly baked cookies.

"They smell nice," Jamie said inhaling deeply. "I think she must be a good cook."

"Wait until you taste them." He pulled the baking tray out, which was still slightly warm. "How many do you want?"

"Mommy never lets me have more than two," Jamie said pouting. "She says they have too much sugar in them."

"My mom says that kinda stuff to me."

Jamie looked at him curiously. "Is that why you love my mommy, cos she's like yours?"

"I'm not sure your mom would appreciate you saying that," he said struggling not to laugh. "But everyone loves your mom, she's pretty amazing."

"Daddy doesn't," Jamie said frowning. "He used to shout at her and make her cry."

Louis slowly put a couple of cookies on a plate as he contemplated his reply. "Sometimes adults aren't very nice to each other, they say things they shouldn't."

"My daddy was mean to her."

"So long as he isn't mean to you, that's the important thing," he said trying not to overstep the mark.

"I guess," Jamie said taking a cookie and biting into it. "You lied, your mom cooks real good."

Louis relaxed, sitting down opposite him as he made a mental note to tell Charlotte of their conversation. "Yeah my mom can cook, but I like to pretend she can't," he said winking.