Free The Sisters by Nadine Matheson Page A

grandchildren.
    ‘We thought you’d gone out,’ said Katelyn.
    ‘No, I was in the kitchen and the radio was on and bloody hell, Reece, you’ve shot up.’ Reece gave his grandmother a hug, squeezing her so tight that she felt herself lift off the ground.
    ‘I’m not that tall. I’m only 6ft 1.’ They all stood in the hallway as Felicia watched the two grandchildren who she hadn’t seen for over five years.
    ‘God, I could cry but I won’t.’ Lucinda closed the front door and faced her mother.
    ‘Hi mum.’
    ‘You left it too long,’ Felicia said as she hugged her daughter. Lucinda hugged her back but couldn’t help feeling that her mother didn’t have the same warmth in her voice that she had for her grandchildren.
     
    ‘So, you’re home,’ said Felicia as she sat at the kitchen table with Lucinda. Her mother had clearly been busy that morning as the kitchen counter was filled with plates of Lucinda’s favourite foods: aubergine and saltfish, fishcakes and fried bakes.
    ‘Your aunt Sarah came back from Grenada last week and brought back cocoa. I’ve even got some mangoes and avocados left if you want to take some home. God knows how the woman got it all through customs,’ Felicia said as she poured Lucinda a cup of steaming hot cocoa tea from the blue teapot. Lucinda took a sip and sighed satisfactorily as the smooth, rich, sweet Grenadian chocolate hit the back of her tongue.
    ‘That tastes so good. I can’t remember the last time I had this.’
    ‘Maybe if you came home a bit more often you wouldn’t miss it so much,’ Felicia said as she poured two more cups of cocoa tea then went out to the garden and handed them both to Katelyn and Reece who were playing with the dog. The dog had never had so much attention. Lucinda didn’t say anything as she ripped apart a fishcake and dipped it into the homemade pepper sauce.
    ‘How’s work?’ Lucinda asked when her mum returned to the table.
    ‘Busy,’ Felicia replied as she stirred her tea. ‘But at least it’s exam time so it’s not too long to go. I suppose that it’s good timing really.’
    ‘Because of dad.’
    ‘Of course because of your dad. I mean, it’s just me and him here now.’
    ‘Well, I’m here. You don’t have to do it all on your own.’
    ‘You’re here,’ Felicia repeated slowly as if she was about to embark on a complex lecture about the economic structure of ancient Greece. ‘But how long are you here for before your feet start itching again?’
    ‘Mum, don’t do this. I’m here. The children are here. It’s a new start for all of us.’
    ‘I’m not doing anything, my dear.’
    ‘Of course you’re not, mum,’ Lucinda said with a wry smile. ‘Look. I’m not going to get itchy feet. I’m not going to uproot the kids just because I don’t like the water pressure in my shower and I’m not going to leave whilst dad is…’ Lucinda stopped talking as Reece and Katelyn came back into the kitchen with their empty cups.
    ‘When is grandad coming back?’ Reece said as he picked up a handful of fishcakes and began to demolish them.
    ‘He’s only at your auntie Beatrice’s house so he should be back soon. So, are you happy to be here?’ Felicia said as she stroked Katelyn’s hair in the exact same way that she used to do with Lucinda.
    ‘Give me a week and I’ll let you know,’ Katelyn said as she began to pull apart a fried-bake.
    ‘You sound just like your mother when she was your age.’ Lucinda rolled her eyes but she supposed she should have been grateful because she knew that her mother was being quite restrained.
    ‘So, what’s your plan?’ Felicia asked Lucinda.
    ‘Mom is going to make a new album,’ Reece answered for his mum, which surprised Lucinda, as she didn’t think he could hear anything through those headphones, which seemed permanently attached to his head.
    ‘You’re doing what?’ Felicia said.
    ‘And Auntie Jessica is going to help her.’ Lucinda gave her son a look,