Family - chapter 1

"How was work?", Lucy asked as Lee walked through the front door.

"Oh, you know, I made a couple of sales. It was too hot out there on the forecourt today though. I think I've caught the sun. How was your day? Did Charlie's injection go okay?"

"Yeah, he was fine, hardly batted an eyelid this time".

As they spoke Lee busied himself, removing his shoes, putting his car keys back in the glass bowl by the door, placing his work bag on one of the coat hooks.

"Where are the kids?"

"In the garden, playing your crazy golf again. I can't drag them away from it".

Lee sat down, kissing Lucy briefly on the lips.

"Mmm, that's nice", Lucy sighed, "I don't always get greeted with a kiss".

Take note, he thought, greet Lucy with a kiss more often.

"I'm in an extra good mood today. Do you want the good news?", Lee asked.

He'd been bursting to tell Lucy ever since his meeting with his boss this afternoon.

"Yeah. There's no bad news is there? Normally when people say do you want the good news, it's followed by or the bad news".

"Nope. No bad news".

"Go on then, don't keep me in suspense".

"Someone's had a promotion".

Lee sang the words, unable to hide his delight.

"You've been promoted?"

"No, it's Tony from purchasing, he's deserved it for years...just kidding. Yes, I've been promoted. You're looking at Kingston Quality Cars' new Senior Sales Operator".

"That's brilliant, Lee. Well done, clever boy, I'm proud of you".

"Clever boy? I'm not one of the kids Lucy".

"Yeah sorry, I'm so used to praising them. I am proud of you though, come here".

Lucy gently grabbed Lee by the shirt and pulled him towards her, kissing him soundly. He smiled against her lips as she deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her, letting his hands slide across her back. This was unexpected, the sort of kiss that tended to be reserved for the bedroom these days.

"Erghhh...gross", three little voices called out in unison.

Of course, that was why that sort of kiss was usually reserved for the bedroom. They broke apart, and turned around to look at the children, who all looked rather disgusted.

"How are we all? How was school?" Lee asked, trying to hide his breathlessness.

"Good...good...good", all three replied.

"What did you learn?"

"We learnt about mummification", Charlie enthused. His class were studying the Ancient Egyptians and he found it fascinating. "Did you know that they used to take out all of the organs and...".

"Not in front of your little brother and sister please", Lucy interrupted.

"He's already told us. It's okay though, we already knew about it from Horrible Histories", Molly added.

"I told you they weren't old enough to graduate from CBeebies to CBBC yet", Lucy said to Lee, shaking her head.

"We learnt about the moon landings, and we got to paint a spaceship", Benji said.

"I wish I'd got to do that in history when I was at school", Lee mused, thinking back to the boring topics he'd learned at their age.

"Yeah well, when you were at school, the moon landings didn't really count as history did they? That would be like the children today learning about...I don't know... JLS splitting up in their history lessons".

"You're comparing JLS splitting up to the moon landings in terms of importance?"

"No...in terms of timescales, obviously".

"God, thanks for reminding me of just how ancient I am Lucy".

"Who are JLS?", Charlie asked.

"Oh, you too. JLS were a band who were runners up on the X factor. Me and your mum saw them in concert once, we had to take some children...long story. Anyway Charlie, come here, I want to say something to you".

Charlie walked over to Lee and sat next to him on the sofa.

"I heard you were very brave today at the doctors. Give daddy a hug".

"It was no big deal, just a little prick".

Lee had to stifle a giggle. The twelve year old in him desperate to make a joke.

"Is dinner ready yet mummy?", Benji piped up.

"No, in about fifteen minutes, you can carry on playing in the garden for a bit. I'll call you in".

All three children make a quick exit back into the garden.

"So, tell me about your promotion, you didn't tell me you were going up for one".

"I wasn't. It was unexpected. John called me in to his office, told me that Adrian had handed in his notice so there was a vacancy for Senior Sales Operator. He said he had me in mind for the role and asked if I was interested. I snapped his hand off".

"Good on you. I assume you'll get a pay rise now?".

"Yep, an extra two thousand pounds a year to start with".

"Wow, that's amazing. Imagine what we could do with an extra two thousand pounds a year. Maybe we won't have to go camping for our holiday this year, maybe we could go abroad, really treat the children".

"Let's not get carried away. I don't do flying remember".

"Oh, I remember. Mr, I think that man's a terrorist and...I know how I want to spend my holiday, in an East European police cell".

"That was nearly ten years ago, let it go".

"Nearly ten years ago, but still clear in my mind, etched you might say".

"Have you heard of glamping?"

"Yes. Sounds too much like camping to me".

"Glamourous camping Lucy, don't forget the glamourous part".

"Hmm, we'll talk about this later. I spoke to Daisy today".

"Oh yeah, how's she doing, and how's our little niece?"

"Ella's well, in good voice from what I could hear on the phone. Daisy's struggling a bit though, now Tim's away again. Being left on her own with a three month old baby, I can't imagine it really. Anyway, she sounded a bit down so I hope you don't mind, but I invited her to stay for a few nights, a week maybe".

"What?"

"I invited her to come and stay, she is family Lee".

"I know, it's going to be a bit crowded though".

"It'll be fine. We've had guests to stay before".

"Alright, when is she coming?"

"When are they coming, she's not leaving the baby behind. Next week. You don't really mind do you? I thought she'd appreciate me helping her out with Ella, give her a bit of time to relax".

"I'd have preferred it if you'd consulted me, but I don't mind, It'd be nice to see Ella again...and Daisy obviously. And she did help us out quite a lot when the twins were born".

"Exactly".

"I'm fine with it, as long as I don't get roped in to changing nappies, it's one thing changing your own baby's nappy, but...".

"Don't worry, I don't suppose you'll have to change any nappies. I'm sure you'll find some way of avoiding that".

...