Girl Talk

Ceri didn’t bother to pop into the house, but instead headed straight for the studio she had set up in one of Bron and Ed’s outhouses. As she passed Bron’s studio, she heard her sister singing. She opened upthe door and peeked inside.

Bron was setting up her easel, a stretched canvas leant against her desk waiting to be set in place. She was singing softly to herself, a big smile on her face. On hearing the door open she turned.

“Morning, sis. How are you this big and glorious morning?”

“I’m good, Bron. Good morning to you too,” Ceri replied, kissing her sister and giving her a hug. “You’re in high spirits this morning.”

“Well, I guess you could say that,” Bron smiled, dancing round her sister and grinning.

“You gonna let me in on it?”

“Nope, don’t think so.”

“Aw, c’mon, Bronwyn; tell your big sister.”

Bron rummaged about in her artist supplies and started to sing, “I know a song that will get on your nerves…”

“Oh stop that! We don’t keep secrets, remember?”

“Spoil sport. Okay, come on over to the house, I’ll put the kettle on.”

The twins walked arm in arm across the grass to the kitchen door. Bron led the way and put the kettle on, getting two mugs ready for some hot tea. She reached up into the cupboard and brought out a box from Lucy’s bakery. Inside were two banana muffins, Ceri’s favourite.

“In here or the lounge?” Bron asked.

“The lounge, please; I love your view from there. Where’s Ed?”

“He had an early appointment for therapy this morning. He’ll be back around 11:00.”

“Good; more muffins for us then,” Ceri grinned, taking a bite.

“Tuck in, sis. Not too sure if Andy and Lucy are going away on honeymoon, so we may have to wait a while for more of her muffins.”

They sat in companiable silence for a few minutes enjoying their tea and cake, then Ceri put her cup and and looked at her sister.

“Bron, you are positively glowing this morning. Has anything happened?”

Bron looked shyly across to her sister and was actually blushing. “You could say that, sis.”

“And this thing that happened was nice?”

“I’ll say,” Bron smiled.

“Are you going to make me play guessing games?”

Bron nodded and took another bite of her cake.

“Little minx. Okay, did this nice thing have anything to do with Ed by any chance?”

Bron blushed again and nodded her head.

“Bron…you didn’t??”

“We did!”

Ceri got up from the sofa and hugged her sister tightly.

“Well, he’s been trying to tell us he’s feeling better, guess it wasn’t all talk. Is he okay this morning?”

“A bit tired, I think he’d still be in bed if it wasn’t for his appointment with Toni.”

“Tell me everything…not in minute detail though. Was it everything you’ve been hoping for?”

“Oh, Ceri, yes. He’s so gentle and thoughtful. He made me feel it was my first time.”

“Well, it was; with him.”

“No, I mean he really made me feel like it was my first time. He was loving, took things slowly, made sure it was the most wonderful night for us both. I was worried about him to begin with, didn’t want him to hurt himself, but he was fine…we were both fine.”

“Bron, I’m so happy for both of you. I know it was playing on his mind a lot. What say Max and I take you both out for dinner this evening?”

“Would you mind if I asked for a quiet meal at home for us all? I think after last night and his therapy this morning, my cuddly bear won’t feel like going too far.”

“It’s a date. I’ll come down and get you, save you walking up the hill or getting your car out. Now, I have work to do in my dark room.”

“And I have a canvas to prepare. Give me a shout when you’re finished and I’ll make us some lunch. Ed will be back by then and he’ll love you to join us.”