Awoken - chapter one

chapter seven

Seven

'So, what's new then?' Mum called from the kitchen as I made my way to the stairs. 'I know you, Grace, and I haven't seen you smile like that for a very long time. Add that to the fact that you've started fussing about with your hair, so my conclusion is that you have a new man in your life.' She smiled as she whipped her tea towel around and attempted what can only be described as a 'Mum jig'. Like mother like daughter, we both pretty much sucked when it came to dancing.

'I've been doing something different with my hair! Trying out a new look' I retorted defensively.

'You have beautiful hair and I like the way you've been doing it lately but that is not why you're so happy. I'm old Grace, not stupid' Mum laughed. 'Now tell Mummy all about it.'

She pulled at my cheek like old Aunt Flora used to and pursed her lips mockingly. I batted her hand away and rubbed at my face. She was clearly in a quizzical mood. She had the same glint in her eye that she always had on a Saturday night when who wants to be a Millionaire was on the TV. I had every intention of fobbing her off and retreating to my bedroom, but I couldn't get rid of the blinding smile on my face.

'Come on Grace, you can't even force a frown you're that bloody happy.' She teased me with a poke.

'Would you rather I was upset?'

'No, I like the new you, it's very becoming. I'm just curious as to why you look like a five year old whose been let loose in a sweet shop' she giggled. Who was acting like a five year old now? I thought.

'School's just going well, I got an A in my English assignment' I fibbed.

'Wow. Just to let you know sweetheart, us O'Callaghan girls are useless at lying, so give up the goods...and stop trying to change the subject!' The unrelenting interrogation continued at full force. 'You barely touched your food and prawn curry is your favourite.'

'I had a big lunch Mum, there's no great mystery.'

'Okay, so how about the fact that in the past three days you haven't once smacked your brother around the head?' I was stumped on that; she had a point there. Usually it's a matter of minutes before Cary's annoyingly incessant nattering will cause me to overload and lash out. Over the years it's become a reflex of mine. I glanced at Mum and the Ronald MacDonald grin on her face. She knew she had won and she had loved every second of it.

'Well, you going to share?' she prompted, folding her black, scissor embossed, work shirt and placing it on the dryer.

'Okay Miss Marple, fine. There's a new boy at college, we've become friends now, and he seems really nice. There. Happy?'

'Nice? Is that all you're giving me?' Disappointment hung from her words. 'I mean, Grace, I just thought that Orlando what's-his-name had a new calendar out or something. I never thought it was about a boy at college.' She was clearly enjoying tormenting me, maybe a little too much. 'I've got some questions about this boy.' She smiled devilishly as she pulled out the chair opposite me.

'Before you even start Mother, NO, I am not bringing him home. YES, I'm pretty sure he's against guns, drugs and gangs. He's a photography major and NO, Dad probably wouldn't approve but apparently Dad was going to keep me locked up until I was twenty five, so I don't think even Prince William would have been acceptable and for your information while we're here, the actor's name is Orlando Bloom.' I took a deep breath and stared at my Mum's surprised face' Her jaw was wide open but her eyes; her eyes were screaming 'well done' which made me chuckle. 'So did I forget anything?' I asked.