The Kingston Brothers - Two for Me (Completed)

The Summons

Alphie
The heavily embossed envelope was waiting on the doormat, tempting me to turn and run from my own home, scooping it up I placed the offending envelope on the hall table and retreated to kick off my shoes and hang up my coat.
Glaring at it, I backed away towards the kitchen, it could wait, I needed a warm cup of tea and to sit down before I dealt with whatever crap my aunt had sent this time.
It took me two more hours before I could open the envelope and then two minutes for the message to register.

'Alfreda
I expect your presence at the house this weekend for the Easter break, I am having a series of house parties and I you will attend, formal wear for evenings and bring your manners.
Miriam Rochester your aunt'

What the hell, I'm not going back there, snatching up the phone I called the Manor House, pacing up and down whilst waiting for someone to answer.
"Rochester residence"
"Hello Ingrid, can I speak to my aunt please"
"Sorry miss, she has instructed all staff that she is not available to speak to you and advises the following message be given to you, she will see you at the weekend"
I sighed "she's really being difficult with this, I'm not coming" I tell her.
"Miss, I'm sorry but she says you will come or she will stop funding your course"
"Shit really" I scowl into the phone "is she serious" I whisper
I hear Ingrid sigh "Yes she means it"
I flop down onto the stairs "alright I will be there this weekend, do you know what she is up to"
"Sorry miss I can't say any more"
"Thank you Ingrid" I say before hanging up.
I stomp round for a while before heading up to bed only to spend the night tossing and turning worrying about facing my aunt.

The following morning I am late to meet my study group for coffee.
"Hey Alphie, you okay, you look a bit stressed" Emma says giving me a side hug as I sit down at the table
"My aunt has summoned me home for the holidays from this weekend" I groan
"You going" Colin asks "I didn't think you got along"
"We don't" I tell him.
"Then why go?"
"She will pull my tuition if I don't go"
"Harsh" Peter says joining in the conversation
"I could probably do it without her but it would wipe out my start up fund and I've only got a term to go after this and I'll graduate"
A hush fell around the table at my words
"You're ready to graduate" Emma asks.
"Yep, I've been here through every holiday since I started so I'm almost done and I've got my design work on the side"
"Does your aunt know this" Peter queries.
"No she has no idea, and I'm not telling her yet, I'm almost done and the I'll be free of her" I sigh.
"Congrats, you go girl" Colin raises his hand for a high five and we all fall about laughing.
"Come on we've got to study"