MCMILLER

Family Talk

November 2016

Brimford, Brickenhem

Dalton shuddered. Marth and Suzan weren't with him now, he'll have to face this on his own.

Miss Honey, or simply 'his' mother has brought him home for a weekend's stay. The house twenty miles from school was set in 6 Brim Lane, and quite a quiet little town.

"You haven't come back for quite a few weeks you know," Miss Honey said softly as they were on their way in the car. "Marth always says you are so busy with projects and other things. You rarely call me now."

"Sorry, mum," Dalton managed to say and thought how Marth and Suzan tried to make excuses to avoid him returning 'home' on the weekends.

"Um... She is called on a meeting," he remembered Suzan once said on the phone. "And there is a long list of reports waiting for her. Yes, Miss Honey. Perhaps next week?"

But this time, there was no escaping, for the two had ran out of ideas and Miss Honey insisted to have some private 'family talk'

The roof of the house came to view as Miss Honey steered the vehicle left. It was a bit smaller than the other apartments nearby, but seemed as cozy and warm.

"Welcome back," Miss Honey said as she ushered Dalton inside. "I am going to make some carbonara spaghetti with cheese on top and a side of bacon, your favourite. Oh, and I called someone here to join us as well."

"Who is it?" Dalton questioned and looked around the living room.

"You know them, but it is a surprise. You can go to room for now, besides, dinner is an hour later. Check if you want to bring anything back to school."

"Okay mum."

So up to the stairs he went, and climbed two stories to the second floor. Marth had reminded him that Meg's room was the second one on the right.

"She likes the view of the garden and insisted that the perfect spot. Meg loves sketching her gardens."

"As Murphy likes sketching his fields," Suzan taunted.

The bedroom wasn't as big as the dorm, but it looked good enough. Switching on the light, Dalton looked at all the furniture in the room. A small single bed propped at the corner and a desk and chair on the opposite. A bookshelf was by the desk and a box of art tools stuffed under the desk. The curtains facing the garden led to a set of large doors where the balcony was. The balcony was large and it connected the other three rooms together.

"On the left," Suzan reminded him. "Is Miss Honey's bedroom and the right, some storage room."

Stepping outside, he looked at the view down below. No wonder Meg liked it, the garden attracted him as well. The shrubberies lined up perfectly and colourful spot which he assumed was the flowers spread all across the grass, with a small stone path leading to a little marble fountain.

"Meg thinks it as... paradise," Marth remarked. "Though I don't think I'd use that word."

Suddenly, a voice from downstairs broke him from his thoughts, "Meg! They are here, come down to greet them!"

Dalton quickly rushed down stairs and as his foot set down on the ground floor, he stared at the guests in shock.

There stood Headmaster Choker at the door, hands behind his back, with that I-am-your-headmaster-don't-mess-with-me look on his face. And standing behind him with also a shocked look on his face was...

"Marth?" Dalton gasped.

"I can't believe it!" Marth gasped as well. "Dad said we're meeting the cousin that I never knew and..."