Chapter 28

Millie and Joanne still weren’t friends despite Ettie’s belief otherwise. But Cookie adored the teen and her older sister and forced them to play together with her.

“Will you be alright for a little while watching the girls?” Matthew asked his childhood friend. As much as he loved his daughter he didn’t trust that she wouldn’t snap at her cousin. Especially if she tried anything with Junior.

Andrew chuckled, “Don’t you worry. Go to your parents. Me and Tilla will look after the children.”

Matthew left the house a minute later with his sister and brother in-law. Their parents house was only a short walk down the street, the same house the siblings had lived in as children. Andrew’s parents and Matthew’s have been good friends for many years and live next to one another.

So neither were surprised when Andrew’s mother Evelyn answered the door. Her smile momentarily slipped and her eyes welled with tears.

“Oh my goodness,” She covered are mouth in shock.

“Hello Evelyn,” Matthew greeted the woman who had been as good as a second mother growing up. Teary she quickly embraced him.

Pulling back a moment later she pulled handkerchief from her sleeve and dried her eyes before ushering them all inside.

“Who was it, Evelyn?” He heard his mother call from the kitchen. Likely baking if the smell was anything to go by. Despite having the money and staff his mother always did love to bake. If he wasn’t such an active child he would have been on the much larger side.

Stepping into the kitchen his mother was just as beautiful as he remembered, even with her white hair. The kindest woman ever, he wasn’t worried she’d reject him. He was more worried about his retired Banker father. Hard but fair, he was never the best at showing his emotions.

Whereas Andrew’s father was the complete different, a kind, very friendly, now retired fisherman, business owner. Matthew always thought it was an odd friendship growing up, since his father often appeared uninterested. But his mother assured him the men were the best of friends.

He already knew his father and likely his friend’s father were in the garden because he could smell the faint smell of pipe tobacco.

His mother hated the smell. Matthew had even seen his mother vomit from the smell in the past. She wanted him to quit smoking but they came to the compromise he would only have one pipe a day, unless at work – which he is now retired from – and he would smoke outside.

Most men would have told their wife ‘no’ and put their foot down. But he always tried to please his wife.

Matthew hadn’t realised until her travelled in time, but his father and Andrew’s were actually pretty progressive when it came to women’s rights.

Hearing footsteps Matthew’s mother Ada turned towards the entrance of the kitchen where Matthew stood with his sister, brother in-law and Evelyn. Her smile dropped, her mouth opened in shock and she stared, tears welling in her eyes.

“Matthew?” She asked in a very quiet voice, she slowly moved to in front of him. She was much shorter than he remembered.

“Yes, mum. It’s me.” She immediately dropped a spoon she had been holding and burst into tears, hugging him best she could. “I’m back, mum. I’m sorry,” He whispered kissing the top of her head.

The spoon made a loud clatter as it hit the tiled floor.

Only a seconds later a bang echoed through the kitchen as the backdoor busted open.

“Are you alright?” Matthew’s father began to say before seeing his long lost son. Close behind him was Andrew’s father.

His father stormed over with what he thought was a look of anger. He was certain his father was going to knock him down. Angry for his son abandoning his family without a word.

What happened next was so far beyond his expectants. He never dreamed in a years he had been gone…

His father drew both his wife, son and even daughter into a hug. Happy but beyond surprised, but even more so when he felt tears on his neck. Despite not being able to see his face, he knew it could only be from his father. His mother and sister weren’t tall enough.

He couldn’t stop his own tears from falling as emotions took over. He had missed them, but never imagined his father reacting like this.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to leave.”

“It is alright. We know,” His father told him, his voice filled with emotion.

“No. I couldn’t come back-” Matthew began to say but his mother cut him off.

“It is alright. You are back in the right time now. We never thought you would return.”

Matthew pulled back and tried to look normal but was confused.

Maybe she meant at the right time? A misword perhaps.

Staring at them before he had a chance to say anything his sister spoke up. “You know? But how?”

“It is true?” Andrew’s mother sounded surprised but clearly understood what her friend was talking about.

“Let’s move to the parlour,” Matthew’s mother said before calling for one of the help she had working for her and giving out orders, telling them to put her cake in the oven and make tea.

In the parlour a minute later.

“I did go into the future. I didn’t understand how until recently but how did you know?” Matthew asked his mother.

“Your grandmother and grandfather are not my blood parents. They adopted my when I was six.” This shocked both Matthew and his sister. Their mother could be her own mother’s twin.

“I was born in the year nineteen-ninety and grew up in orphanage. I was six and on a class trip with my school, visiting a fishing museum… I think… We were on the boat, the Sherry Belle. The captain man let us each take a turn on the wheel.

“I have no clue how it happened. But one moment I was on the boat and the next I was standing on the docks. I had no idea where I was or what had happened. A local fisherman found me crying on the ground. He took me to the police, I told them what happened but they assumed I’d been abandoned. The man who found me turned out to be the kindest man, but he and his wife were childless. They adopted me and raised me as their own.

“I never kept it a secret. But I only told close friends. Though most believe me slightly mad. Other than the people in this room. So when you disappeared I was hopeful.”

Everyone was silent for a moment before again Ettie began speaking.

“How come you never told me?” She asked and a dozen other questions before her father chuckled stopping her.

“All in good time. Now, son,” He turned his attention to Matthew. “What happened after you left?”

“I… I’m still in shock. I was planning on telling you a white lie,” He admitted. “But the truth is yes, I went into the future, nineteen eighty-eight. The same as you I was at the wheel and in an instant I was on another boat in another place. To be precise I was on the Sherry Belle which is… Was? Is going to be? Anyway it was in a museum.” His father looked amused. Matthew was beyond happy to see the change in his father since he left.

“I met a girl that same day and we fell in love. I wanted to returned but couldn’t risk loosing her.”

“You have a wife?” His mother asked surprise but happy.

“Did. She was killed by a drunk driver… A drunkard in a horseless carriage,” He explained so everyone would understand.

“Oh, I’m sorry, son.”

“It was a long time ago. We had four children before she died, the youngest only a new born at the time.” His parents eyes lit up.

“Three boys and a girl. My wife’s sister helped me with them for many years. She’d care for them while I worked. There was no romantic feelings. Though we were together once,” He admitted embarrassed. “I only tell you that because I found out recently she had my child.”

He went on to tell them everything from Joanne disappearing to Lottie abandoning Cookie.

**

Annie was thankful her sister was around because otherwise she would have knocked her cousin on her backside already.

Whereas she was sweet and amazing with Cookie, she was bitchy and snide with Annie. She made her dislike for Annie clear. But hid it from Junior’s parents and Cookie.

But the adults at least weren’t blind.

Annie was sat with Cookie while Tilla told the little girl fairy tales. Junior had left a short while ago to use the toilet.

“How can you say such a dreadful thing?” She heard Millie’s raised voice. She handed Cookie to Tilla and followed Andrew out of the room with her brothers not far behind, leaving Cookie and Edward with Tilla.

They arrived in the hall near the downstairs toilet just in time to hear Junior tell Millie not so kindly, “I’d rather kill myself marry you! I only want Annie. I love her more than anyone. I don’t even like you.”

It was harsh and Annie felt a little sorry for her cousin but it was something she had to hear.

Millie rushed away in tears. Annie felt like she should offer to follow her. “I will go,” Adam said surprising his siblings and left the house after her.

“Andrew, I know how you feel but that was outright cruel,” Junior’s father scolded him. “When she returns you will apologise. No arguments!”

“She is a nuisance.”

His dad gave him a warning look.

“Fine, but I will do as you ask. But I will not allow her to disrespect Annie.”

“I do not expect you too. I will speak to her personally about being with respectful.”

They return to the parlour a moment later where his mother sent Junior a warning look before continuing telling stories to Cookie who was hugging her arm.

“Be nice or mama smack ya butt,” Cookie told Junior with a warning look making her brothers laugh.

“Cookie,” Tilla began but then Cookie turned to her with a bright smile.

“Yeh, mama.”

The older woman visibly melted.

“She has your mum wrapped around her finger already.”

“She’s always wanted a daughter, now she has two.”

They all sat down.

“So, Edward, how’s school? You going to school right? Or are you home school?”