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“Can I help with anything?” “Uhh, no, all in hand I think.“ Terry rushed to put the mats out on the dining room table. The rolls now on a platter next to the tureen.
A few minutes later and they were sat sipping on the soup.
“Very tasty. This reminds me of that trip we took Mia when we stayed at that farmhouse in Wales last year near Penrith.“
“I think the fish was the best! Locally caught fish! Mackerel fillets, grilled with lemon juice and hot buttered toast!” “Now there.” Terry grins. “Is a girl after my own heart!
I love Mackerel!“ “So, you’re not actually from these parts?“
“No, I live near Birmingham.“ Mia looked at her mother and then at Terry.
“We lived in Halesowen? DO you know where that is?“ Terry nodded.
When he told them, of where he lived, Mia was quick to point out, that it was deemed to be the ‘posh‘ part. “Mia!“ Her mother scolded her much to Terry’s amusement.
The phone rang, it was Nina! “Tumbled over skiing. Tore a tendon, in my wrist.
Bit painful and awkward. so its in wraps. But enough about me, tell me the goss Dad.“ Terry didn’t say much, with the close proximity of his guests, he was hardly likely to. Nina was quick to realize.
“As long as you’re OK! Company over Christmas might be a good thing. I was, worrying about you, being on your own, but now.” She giggles. “I’m worrying cos you’ve got company.“ More giggles.
“So what’s her mother like, how old. Your age group?“ There were a few words of yes and yes, on Terry’s part, before they finished the conversations.
Sandy and Mia were washing up. Despite his protestations they were not leaving until it has all been done. He was left, to put the dried dishes away as he stopped momentarily to turn the radio on. The weather outlook was snow, snow and more snow but tonight, gale force winds aswell.
“It looks like we’re your guests for Christmas, BUT! If you think we girls are going to sit around and do nothing.“ Mia started to grin. “You can forget it.“
“What she means, is no computer, no internet connection. Oh dear what to do
eh Mia?“ “Mama!“
"I might have a solution to that." He left them to fetch a step ladder from one of the cupboards. Placing it beneath the loft hatch as Susie held the steps, he climbed up and opened the hatch. They watched as he disappeared into the loft. Minutes later to return with some boxes.
Passing them down, Sandy grabbed at them and placed them onto the floor. Minutes later he had closed the hatch and replaced the steps in the cupboard. Bringing the boxes down into the lounge.
Sandy had left them to make some drinks. Much to Mia's impatience, he was refusing to open the boxes until she returned! With Mia rushing off, to as she put it; 'Speed things along.' He had put the television on, flipped the remote onto the news and the weather forecast?
Definitely further snow storms with winds up to 50mph, not the sort of conditions to venture out into, unless you really had to. Almost all of the country was a blanket of snow. Images of vehicles abandoned as drivers who had ignored warnings ended up unable to go any further.
Sandy with Mia in tow, brought a tray into the main room, placed it onto the coffee table. On it mugs of steaming tea and a mug of hot chocolate for Mia. In his hands one of the boxes. He started to open it.
From the box, he produced several games. ‘Operation’, ‘Scrabble’, ‘Monopoly’ and a few others. Moving onto the next box he asked Mia to open it. Seconds pass, she stared at the contents. UHH?" "Nina had had it as a present about two years ago.
A Wii console with a stack of games. “I don’t think we’re going to be too bored.“
TV reception out here is a bit archaic. BUT there’s a new transmitter aerial they put up a couple of months ago, that has improved things. Including a telecoms mast which is why, now, the mobiles work so well here.
He stood up walked over to the table, took up a mobile phone and passed it to Sandy. “I have to apologize. clean forgot.“ Terry sipped on his tea. Noting the delighted look on Mia's face as she sorted through the games. Picked out the fairground one and the sports pack. Bowling? He grinned. If only she knew!
Mia is sipping on her hot chocolate with Sandy telling her off for slurping noises.
Her eyes had been on the tree in the corner. “Not decorated the tree yet then.”
Terry made some excuses. Mia was not listening!
She had moved over to the tree and was busy pulling decorations out of the box.
“Mia! Manners miss.“ Mia glanced round as Terry smiled at her
“Be my guest Mia. I mean we can’t NOT, have it decorated can we?“ Mia had started, to place some decorations on it, before she stopped. Put down the tinsel and stepped back towards them.
“Lights! They should go on first. Where are the lights?!“ “Arn’t they in the box?“ Mia ran back to the box tipped the contents out and stared, before shaking her head. “No! No lights.“ “Well now, we can’t have that.” Terry smiled as he stood up muttering to himself. “Now where did Dad put those..”
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