Oakbrook - The Portal

Birthday Party

Birthday Party

Wednesday came all too soon, in a riot of anger and tension. As school had finished the day before the children were home all day. It was cold and pouring with icy rain, so they were cooped up indoors. Tom retreated to his bedroom, while Susan alternated between spreading toys around the house, and reading. As the sun sank below the horizon it was time to get to Lily's.

"Hey you two!" Kate yelled up the stairs to Tom and Susan, "Shoes, jumpers, coats – we're going!" An almighty bang from Tom's room and muffled yells that confirmed he was sorting himself out. Kate threw a jumper towards Susan as she came down the stairs, and told both of them to find shoes, quickly.

Twenty minutes later they were all still playing hunt the shoe for Susan, who had taken them off the day before and forgotten where she'd put them. One was found behind the bin and the other under the sofa.

Finally they were all ready. They piled into the car and drove through driving rain and sleet to Lily's. They were greeted by a house covered in dripping balloons and an enormous banner screaming "Happy Birthday, Tom!" in foil letters. They piled out and ran for cover, bursting through Lily's back door, to stand shivering in Lily's warm kitchen.

"It's evil out there!" Kate complained, shaking the sleet from her boots. "That rain is hard, and bloody cold, almost snow." Lily had towels ready and they all wiped the worst of it off. Kate finger combed her wet hair back from her face but left it loose to dry.

Lily's living room was draped with streamers, balloons, with the TV already showing a racing game they could all play. The kitchen table was laden with food. In the centre there was a huge chocolate cake, covered with a thick, rich layer of chocolate frosting, spiked up and dusted with icing sugar. In the frosting stuck an assortment of candles and a footballer figure. The children's eyes grew wide at the sight. Kate and Lily stood with Sam, and watched as their three children took platefuls of food and ate the most bizarre combinations.

Lily produced an open bottle of wine and poured them each a glass. It was a rich, plummy red, intensely ruby with a hint of violet. Kate savoured the wafting aroma of violets and cherries as the glass warmed gently in her hands. She took a tentative sip and found a delicate vanilla and fruit flavour burst over her tongue, leaving a faint liquorice aftertaste. They each piled a plate high with food and went to sit in the kitchen.

After the food was mostly gone and tempers were starting to fray, Kate and Sam loaded Tom and Susan, tired but sugar high, into the car. Kate paused at the door to hug Lily.

"Thanks for a great party. We had the best time." Kate smiled fondly at her closest friend.

"You're welcome. I enjoyed it too." Lily returned the smile and waved at the children who were starting to squabble in the car. "Are you sure about this?" she nodded to Sam sitting in the passenger seat.

Kate looked down, "Susan wants her to stay with us, and I suppose it has to happen at some point is they're going to be properly mother and daughter again. It's been almost two months, Lily. We have to cross that bridge."

Lily nodded, understanding. "As long as you're sure."

Kate laughed softly. "Not really, but it has to happen. And it's freezing, so I'm going to get this lot home."

"Be safe." Lily whispered, as the car pulled away.

Kate drove back home through the icy cold, driving rain. Sam at her side, Tom and Susan chattering in the back seat. By the time they arrived, a few minutes later, both children were mostly asleep as their heads touched their pillows.

"Cuppa?" Kate already had the kettle boiling as Sam wandered back downstairs after settling Susan.

"Please." Sam sank into the nearest chair, suddenly very tired. "I'm going to have to get a place of my own after Christmas." She wiped a weary hand over her eyes. "And a job." She sighed. "I am so not used to drinking any more. I only had a couple of glasses! Mind you Lily's wine glasses are enormous." Kate grinned as she finished making two large mugs of tea. She turned with them in her hands and nodded to the door.

"Shall we sit in comfort?" Kate suggested. Sam stared for a moment before agreeing. She hauled herself out of the chair and made her way to the familiar green sofa. She collapsed into one corner while Kate passed her a mug of steaming tea before sagging into the other corner.

"It feels weird," Sam murmured. Kate raised an eyebrow. "Not that! Although, yeah, that was really weird. But it's been almost two months and he's not tried anything. Maybe I'm safe?"

Kate shook her head slowly. "I would love to believe that. It feels so unreal, but the longer we go with nothing happening, the safer we can feel, right?"