The Life You Left. Carmel Harrington

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СКАЧАТЬ pressed her face into the bowl; she had butternut squash and sweet potato puree all over her. ‘You little monkey!’ Sarah said laughing at her baby. Ella delighted that she was making her Mama laugh, started to bang her hand on the highchair table repeatedly, squealing loudly. She was such a joy to Sarah; she really couldn’t understand how Paul could just walk away from them all. She felt sorry for him for a minute. Had he any concept of what he was missing out on?

      Then the doorbell rang. Sarah indicated to James to take over with Ella and ran to the door. Joey was standing there with Benji in his arms. She didn’t know why, but she expected Benji to be a big dog. Joey was a big man, well over 6 foot and carried a bit of weight. He was as her mother would have said, round. So she’d expected a big old Labrador or something of that size. But Benji was a tiny Westie, a little white ball of fluff sitting comfortably in Joey’s arms.

      Sarah welcomed them both in and warned Joey that the kids would probably drive him mad, they were so excited.

      On cue Katie and Tommy ran into the house shouting in unison, ‘Can I hold him first?’

      Joey laughed at their enthusiasm. ‘I tell you what, Tommy. Let Katie have the first hold. Ladies first I always say. We men have to be gentlemen sometimes.’ He finished with a wink.

      Tommy stood up even straighter and agreed immediately. ‘You can hold her first, Katie.’ He said loudly. Then turning to Joey he whispered loudly. ‘She’s younger than me, so I have to let her have most things first you know.’

      Joey ruffled his hair saying, ‘Good boy. Now, Katie, sit down over there on that couch and I’ll put Benji in your lap. He loves been tickled under his chin. Yes, just like that!’

      Katie was giggling as she stroked Benji. ‘He’s lovely, Mammy! He’s so cute.’

      ‘I have a joke about a dog you know.’ Tommy said to Joey. ‘Do you want to hear it?’

      ‘I most certainly do!’ Joey answered. ‘I could always do with a good laugh!’

      Tommy took a deep breath and said, ‘What did the cowboy say when a bear ate Lassie?’

      Katie started to giggle and Joey declared he didn’t know.

      ‘Well doggone!’ Tommy shouted in his best cowboy voice, beaming as everyone started to laugh.

      ‘Tommy’s our resident comic.’ Sarah said to Joey.

      Within a few minutes both Rita and Mary had arrived and Sarah and James were introducing them to each other. Benji was a great icebreaker, as was Ella. It gave them all something to ooh and aah about as they got used to each other.

      James made sure that they all had a drink and they all sat down at the dining room table. Sarah placed the platter down in front of them all and watched happily as they all tucked in.

      ‘I’ve never had anything like this before.’ Joey said to Sarah in between mouthfuls, his eyes wide with awe as he took in all the colours and smells on the big platter.

      ‘What’s these fellas called again?’

      ‘Bruschetta.’ Katie and Tommy said at the same time.

      ‘Bruschetta.’ Joey said, rolling the word over his tongue. ‘Never heard tell of them before. But they’re lovely. Very tasty, Sarah.’

      Tommy and Katie kept repeating the word Bruschetta over and over, laughing away at their own jokes. It was good to see them so happy, there had been far too much sadness in this house lately. Ever since Paul disappeared it was as if his departure also took a lot of the joy out of their house too. Sarah vowed to find ways to make her children laugh again, every day. ‘You’ve gone to so much trouble.’ Rita said to her daughter in law.

      ‘Ah, it’s nothing. It’s worth it, just seeing those two so happy.’ Sarah said, nodding at the children. ‘We eat like this every day don’t we kids?’

      Tommy picked up his napkin and dramatically dabbed the side of his mouth before saying, ‘Yes, Mama, we dine every night with three courses and the good silverware!’

      Everyone burst out laughing at his mimicking of somebody ‘posh’!

      Tommy was delighted with himself for making the grownups laugh. Katie started to dab her mouth too, wanting to join in the fun. Sarah smiled as she looked around the table. It was going well.

      When the starters were finished, Sarah got going on the risotto while the others all chatted away easily with each other. James joined Sarah in the kitchen.

      ‘Well I left Mary quizzing Joey about his hobbies. She’s got her sights on him alright!’ James said with a laugh.

      Sarah threw a tea towel at him saying, ‘Behave, you. Everyone seems to be getting on ok though don’t they? What do you think of Joey?’

      ‘You were right. Sound as a pound that guy. I like him a lot as it happens. And he’s very good with the kids. Very patient when they asked him hundreds of questions about dogs! Katie just asked him what dogs dream of every night. Poor man was trying his best to come up with an answer for her.’

      ‘I’m glad you like him. I do too. I think we might see a bit more of him in the future. I’m going to ask him over again. He needs some friends, he’s lonely.’

      The risotto was a great success too. Joey declaring that it was the nicest rice he’d ever had. It was creamy; packed with lots of flavour from the chorizo and prawns.

      Everyone declared themselves stuffed after they finished. Sarah jumped up and took the plate of Banoffi cupcakes from the fridge saying to everyone as she placed them on the table, ‘Nobody will have room for these then I suppose?’

      ‘Oh you’re a wicked girl!’ Mary said with a glint in her eye as she took in the sight before her. ‘Cupcakes are my absolute favourite. They look divine!’

      ‘Wait till you taste these, Joey,’ Rita said. ‘They are incredible. I’ve always said that Sarah could sell her cupcakes.’

      Joey agreed as he took a bite of his. The sweetness of the caramel combined with the soft, light vanilla sponge was just heaven.

      ‘That’s the best meal I’ve ever had.’ Joey said to his host. ‘Thank you for having me.’ He looked so grateful, Sarah was chuffed.

      ‘You’re so welcome. Thank you all for coming. Now dig in. Plenty more if you can manage it.’

      Once everyone had finished Joey suggested bringing Benji and the kids for a walk.

      ‘Can I get the present, Mammy?’ Katie asked excitedly. ‘Is it time?’

      ‘Yes, it’s time.’ Sarah said with a smile and watched her daughter run to the utility room and pick up a little gift bag.

      Joey looked gobsmacked when Katie handed the little bag to him. ‘It’s for Benji!’ Katie shouted. ‘Mammy bought it for him.’

      Joey was completely stunned that these lovely people had bought his little dog a present.

      ‘Thank you so much. Oh my, would you look at that lead, it’s very fancy.’ Joey said admiring the red lead СКАЧАТЬ