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‘We don’t have to eat fish and chips outside,’ said Katie.
‘But it will be cold by the time we arrive home.’
‘They have little cafés where we could eat inside if we want to.’
‘Perfect.’ Thea hadn’t had fish and chips in a long time. She remembered that it was something they had always eaten on a Friday when she was very young. But that was one of many little family rituals that had changed when they moved to London.
Thea didn’t want to spoil what was turning out a surprisingly nice afternoon with her niece and nephew by thinking about the past. ‘So, Katie, the question is: will Toby want fish and chips too?’
‘Oh, yeah. He’ll eat anything.’
Thea thought that perhaps she should ask him. Fish and chips wasn’t an inexpensive meal anymore, and she didn’t want to waste money on a meal he wouldn’t eat.
They walked out of the Co-op on the corner with two large boxes of classic Thorntons chocolates. As well as the one for Jenna, Thea had decided to buy a box for the three of them in the hope that her rather nice afternoon would extend to the evening, and they could all sit together and watch a movie.
As they walked, Thea broached the movie idea. ‘So, I was thinking that this evening we might want to sit and watch a movie.’
Katie looked at her. ‘Who’swe?’
‘You, me and Toby, of course.’
Katie’s response was what Thea guessed she should have expected, given the tensions she had witnessed between the twins.
‘I am not spending my precious evening with Toby.’
‘Why not?’
‘I just don’t want to. Besides, his choice of movie is going to be very different to mine. And anyway, don’t expect me to sit with you. I’ve got a mountain of homework to do.’
‘What about the extra box of chocolates?’
Katie shrugged. ‘Just leave them on the kitchen table, and we’ll help ourselves.’
‘All right.’ Thea didn’t see how she had a choice.
They reached the car and noticed that Toby and Winston were not back from the walk.
‘How long does a walk take!’ Katie said.
Thea understood that she was being sarcastic, although she herself had no idea. She expected she’d find out tomorrow when she had to walk Winston. She was thinking that after the kids had left for school, and she’d tidied around the house, instead of sitting there bored, she’d go out and give him some exercise. He’d been good in the car, so she didn’t mind.
‘I’m sure he’ll be back soon.’
‘He’d better be. I want fish and chips.’
Thea glanced at Katie’s pouting face. She reminded Thea of Jenna when she was cross.
She walked through the hospital door and up to the reception desk. ‘Here goes,’ she said under her breath. ‘Hi, my name is Thea, I’ve come to see my sister, Jenna.’
‘We’ve been expecting you.’
‘Have you?’
‘Her husband phoned to say you’d be popping along today.’
‘Oh, good.’ Thea glanced at Katie. The idea was that they went in one at a time – not only because Thea wanted to have a private word with her sister about that phone call, but because someone really needed to keep an eye on the dog. Although she did ask, ‘I don’t suppose dogs are allowed in the hospital?’
The receptionist shook her head vehemently. ‘I’m afraid that unless they are guide dogs, or therapy dogs, then the answer is no.’
