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I end up deciding on something completely different. We go to the wildlife park. I am your typical young woman that adores animals, coos at every newborn baby I see, no matter what form it is in - human or animal. Plus, my decision means that they can't argue over who gets to pick what we do.
Fifteen
Charlie
After spending the afternoon with Crow and Liam, I feel like a weight has been lifted from me. Joking and messing around with them makes me realise just how much I’d missed being myself without the chaos. Crow and I were usually together 24/7 so to be away from each other for weeks felt like years, at least in my mind.
“You alright, darlin’? I got chippy!” my dad shouts as he comes through the front door.
“You know I love you, don’t you?” I ask with a laugh as I get up to retrieve some cutlery and drinks for us.
“We eating in the lounge, Charlie?” he asks, though I have no idea why since he’s already settled himself on the sofa and opened up his food.
"I want to have a chat," he tells me.
I lower myself to sit next to him. Crow and Liam said they had business to take care of at the Club, but that they'll be here soon.
“Just wait a second, you knew I was getting knives and forks, you idiot. You’re worse than a child.” I scoff, handing him a napkin from beside me as well as his cutlery.
“And you’re like a bloody mother hen, my girl,” he says laughing.
I smirk at his comment, knowing full well that it’s true. These men would never survive if it weren’t for me.
I dig into the chips, sausage and gravy he’d got me - my absolute favourite takeaway meal.
We eat in silence for a while, with just the tv as background noise. I soon finish up and chuck the plastic container in the bin and place the cutlery into the sink.
“So, what is it you want to talk about?” I ask as I walk back in to sit down again.
The doorbell goes before Dad has a chance to say anything. I roll my eyes at our uninvited visitor’s terrible timing.
“I’ll grab it.” Dad jumps up from next to me and catapults to the door.
“Alright, old man?” Liam.
I can hear them muttering something to one another, but not their words.
Dad follows Liam and Crow into the lounge. Liam takes the seat next to me, Crow sitting on the arm of the chair, whilst Dad takes his seat in the corner.
Liam gives me a pointed look, but I have no idea what it’s supposed to mean so I don’t respond with my voice or my actions, turning to face Dad.
“They're gonna stay for this conversation, Charl,” Dad says. He seems tense, which makes me nervous. He is sat upright, which makes a change for him since he’s usually laid back in the comfiest chair we own. His hands are knitted together too, fiddling with the cutlery still in his hand.
I look towards Liam and Crow for any indication of what’s going on, but neither of them are looking at me. Liam shakes his head slightly as if in answer to me though. No? Don’t ask. Is that what he's trying to say?
“So, what is it that’s got you all twisted up?” I ask, concerned more than curious seeing the state of the three men.
“You know you had that doctor’s appointment a while back?”
“Yeah, is something wrong?” I wonder.
“No, not physically. No one’s ill.” Well, that’s a start. He’s staring at the ground as he speaks though. Something is wrong.
I nod at him to let him know I heard. Waiting for him to continue.
“I don’t really know where to start to be honest with you, darlin’,” he explains. He looks up at me this time with a weak smile that I return, encouraging him to continue.
“You know all about your mum, about what she was like when we were together.” My mind reels, wondering why on earth she had anything to do with this. I do know though. I've been told by so many people how awful she was to him.
