ENSHROUDING LIGHT

THE NECESSITIES

CHAPTER 20

THE NECESSITIES

Mad-Doris rushed to open the door as her parents knocked, but she ran and got there first. No sooner had she opened the door, her mum threw her arms around her and her dad stepped in. Behind them walked Frank with Francesca in hand.

Mad-Doris leapt in front of Francesca, pointing at her. 'Yer can't come in unless yer know I'm maaad!'

Frank blew out his chest and pulled Francesca behind him.

'Tell 'er! Tell the brat!' she yelled.

Nevaeh took Francesca's hand. 'Frankie, this is Mad-Doris, and she's a little bit mad.'

Francesca didn't look amused.

'Tell them I'm mad an' all!' Mad-Doris pointed her long, bony finger at the rest of her family. 'Tell 'em!'

'Alright, alright!' Frank batted his hands slowly in front of him. 'We know you're mad!'

Mad-Doris looked at each new face, smiled at Francesca and scurried away.

'Sorry about that,' Nevaeh said. 'She's alright once you get used to her.'

'That woman is far from right,' Frank said. 'Look up "wrong" in the dictionary, and the definition will be her!'

'Here!' Her mum pulled some jeans out of a large holdall and shoved them into her arms. 'And these.' She pulled out a jumper and two t-shirts. 'There's more, but they're not great. You can use them for scruffs once you get new.'

'I'll use them for my new job then!'

'Aww,' Frank said. 'I was hoping you'd come work for me!'

She smirked she closed the door. 'No thanks!'

'Where's Tom?' her dad asked.

'He's gone in the classroom.' Her heart panged. 'He's having his first lesson with Mark.'

Her dad nodded, seemingly impressed.

Trying not to show any of her mixed feelings over the matter, Nevaeh walked to the classroom. Francesca held onto Frank's leg as they followed, wise to Mad-Doris standing crookedly under the balcony, watching them with her boggling eyes. Her mum's nose had never been higher.

As she opened the classroom door, Mark stopped what he was writing on the board, placed his chalk down on the large desk beside him, and turned to greet his guests.

'Tom,' Nevaeh said, 'look who's here to see us.'

He ran to them.

She tried to shut the door before introducing Mark, but only got half way.

'Excuse me, young lady, introduce us to this handsome, young man who's gracefully taken you in!' Her mum's eyes were large, her lips tight.

Her stomach leapt into her throat as she turned back to his charming face. 'Mark, this is my mum, dad, Frank and Frankie!' She rushed the words, letting him know she wanted this to be quick and painless.

'Hello.' Mark strolled towards her family. 'It's lovely to meet you all.' He held out his hand, and her dad and Frank shook it. Mark then took her mum's hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed it.

Her mum blushed.

She huffed. 'You can get back to your teachings.'

Mark smiled as if she was thoughtful and she closed the door.

As Tom let Francesca have a go of his bike in the hallway, David and Mad-Doris chasing her, she changed into her new work clothes, made brews and, while they sat and drank them, her family sat and praised Mark.