He did - a good suit and tie, all newly dry-cleaned and pressed, his good cowboy boots polished to a shine. Christmas is something you make an effort for.
And he sees her head up the stairs and takes the opportunity to wander back into the kitchen, flexing the ache out of his hand from some vigourous whipping.
'Here ya go, mam. What're you two talkin' abou'?'
'You, of course.'
He gives her a Look, which she steadfastly ignores.
'She's a good 'un, Gene. Don' let her ge' away.'
'S'not that simple, mam. I'm 'er boss.'
He speaks in a wearied tone, as though he knew this was coming - which he did, after their conversation this morning. And there are a thousand other reasons, of course, none of which he can articulate clearly.
'An' all she talks abou' is goin' 'ome.'
Betty looks away, takes a breath and sighs. She knows why that'd be a problem for him. He adds nothing else, just takes another beer from the fridge and cracks it open, then helps himself to another sausage roll.
'You'll ruin yer dinner.'
'Nah, I won'. Not wi' your cookin'.'
He gives her a quick peck on the cheek and wanders back out to the TV. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is on, as it is every year. He'll pretend to doze off in front of it in case Alex comes in and catches him but he's watching it really. An old family favourite. He remembers his brother loving it, when it came out, which is why he always watches it.
no subject
And he sees her head up the stairs and takes the opportunity to wander back into the kitchen, flexing the ache out of his hand from some vigourous whipping.
'Here ya go, mam. What're you two talkin' abou'?'
'You, of course.'
He gives her a Look, which she steadfastly ignores.
'She's a good 'un, Gene. Don' let her ge' away.'
'S'not that simple, mam. I'm 'er boss.'
He speaks in a wearied tone, as though he knew this was coming - which he did, after their conversation this morning. And there are a thousand other reasons, of course, none of which he can articulate clearly.
'An' all she talks abou' is goin' 'ome.'
Betty looks away, takes a breath and sighs. She knows why that'd be a problem for him. He adds nothing else, just takes another beer from the fridge and cracks it open, then helps himself to another sausage roll.
'You'll ruin yer dinner.'
'Nah, I won'. Not wi' your cookin'.'
He gives her a quick peck on the cheek and wanders back out to the TV. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is on, as it is every year. He'll pretend to doze off in front of it in case Alex comes in and catches him but he's watching it really. An old family favourite. He remembers his brother loving it, when it came out, which is why he always watches it.