Everyone should own a Gun

Chapter 10

"Oh darling, I missed you!" As soon as I stepped through the door, mum had her arms round me in a tight squeeze.

"It's only been a week, Mum!" I giggled as she just squeezed tighter, showing no sign of letting go. "Kinda suffocating here..."

She laughed and let go, only to take my face in her hands and kissing my forehead.

"That's six days too long in my mind." She gave my cheeks a quick pinch, grabbed my bag and carried it upstairs. "How was it?"

"Very very refreshing, I forgot how nice it is there, since we hardly ever visit." I followed her up, and began unpacking.

"I know, I know, it's just with work and everything... You're right, though, I'll make more effort to go, promise."

"It's ok, I get it." I gave her a smile to let her know I wasn't moaning at her. "Did Elle come round while I was gone?"

"Yea, twice actually."

"Twice?" She'd only told me about the first time to ask where I was..

"She said you had bad service so couldn't talk. Bless her, she was in quite a state. Something about issues she and this guy of hers are having. I invited her in for a cup of tea but she didn't stay long."

"Oh... Well that sucks. Can I invite her over today?" I felt bad that I wasn't here when she needed someone, but I was glad she felt she could come talk to my mum since she isn't really very close with her family.

"Of course, I was going to suggest it. Maybe she could stay for dinner."

When we finished sorting out my clothes mum made an early lunch which we sat and ate in the sun room. The conversation ended up being completely random, but it was really nice to be back with her. As sad as it sounds, I have to admit that I consider my own mother a friend.

"Right, let me help you with this, then I'm going to call Elle." I picked up the plates and cutlery and took them into the kitchen.

"Tell her we can watch movies and eat chinese food!" Mum shouted after me. I smiled at how thoughtful she was trying to be.

After putting the plates in the dishwasher I ran upstairs to call Elle. She picked up on the second ring.

"Lia? Are you home? You better be calling to say you're back!" She sounded urgent and slightly sniffly, as though she'd been crying.

"Yea, doll I'm home..."

She interrupted before I could say any more. "Oh thank God, can I come over?"

"I was just going to ask if you could. Elle, are you okay? You sound really upset."

"I'll explain when I'm there." I could hear her shuffling round, and the jingle of her keys. Obviously she was planning on setting off as soon as the call ended.

"Ok see you soon." She said a quick bye and hung up.

I wondered what was happening between them. She never gets this upset over stuff. She's always been the tough one who didn't really give two hoots. To be honest, I think she just doesn't let it show when she's upset, and lets it build up until she goes on a bender and I end up having to pick her up from whichever club she's decided to drown her sorrows in. Little bit messed up if you ask me, but that's how she deals with stuff. And I'll always be there to bring her back.

Fifteen minutes later, I heard the sound of car brakes just outside my room, which faces out to the street. I knelt up on the bed I see Elle climb out of a taxi and jog up to the front door. She left the taxi door wide open, to the obvious annoyance of the driver. She never rings our doorbell, she's known us too long for that. Instead, she just lets herself in with the spare key under the mat. I know, I know, I've told mum it's a bad place to leave it. It'd be the first place a burglar would look.