Copper to Red (The Dillwyns' Stories) Read Online Free Page B

enough to enjoy and spoil
other peoples. 
    “Got one for
me too?” Morgan piped up from the sitting room, where he was having five
minutes peace reading the newspaper.
    Doris
grinned, “You’re too big for chocolate, isn’t he?” she conspired with the children;
both Johnny and Rose nodded, willing to agree to anything to get the Kit Kats
in their hands.
    “Don’t
forget to say thank you to Aunty Doris.”  Megan pointed out their manners
before turning to her neighbour.  “Fancy a cuppa before Church, Doris?” Megan
was already pouring a cup as she knew her friend would never turn down a cup of
tea.  While refilling the teapot with hot water, Meg looked towards Ria who was
unwrapping a KitKat.  “Sorry Ria, I have run out of instant coffee.”  She
turned and shouted towards the sitting room, “Sam, grab 2/3d out of my purse
and go and get two ounces of Nescafe from the corner shop, would you?”
    Meg heard
the grunt of a reply.  She lifted her shoulders at Doris, “Teenagers.”
    Sam lumbered
through the door, even though he was only fifteen, he was already reaching six
feet tall.  Unfortunately, his body hadn’t filled out yet and he looked lanky. 
    “I need half
a pound of butter too, which is 1/6d.  Just take my purse and get yourself some
sweets too.”
    “Mam, I’m
not a child anymore.” Sam replied mainly to himself, too afraid to speak out
aloud as he never knew whether his voice would come out low or as a squeak.
    Evan stood back
up after opening the chocolate bar for Johnny who was already shoving it into
his small mouth.  “Hey, that’s your Mam you are talking to.  You might not be a
child, but show her some respect. She asked you to do something for her,
something I might add, she doesn’t do often enough.”  
    “Sorry Dad,
Mam.”  Sam’s face coloured, aware of all the eyes on him.  “I just meant that I
don’t need sweets as an incentive to do things anymore.  I’m more than willing
to go to the corner shop.”  Sam replied a little defensively.
    Megan noticed
Sam stick his chin out slightly in slight defiance or was it embarrassment? 
Teenagers!  She chose not to mention anything, she looked towards Evan, who was
putting on his old coat.
    “Right love,
I’m off to the allotments when you go to Church.  Say a prayer for me!”  He
kissed and hugged his wife, as he did every time he left her.  Evan said his
good byes to everyone else, the grandchildren getting extra spins before he
eventually left. 
    Ria finished
wiping the chocolate off her childrens’ hands, thankful that they didn’t get
any on their Sunday School clothes.  She watched Rose look around the room, a
look of realisation appearing on her chubby face.  “Where’s Uncle Tom?  I want
Uncle Tom!”  Her bottom lip came out in a pout as she folded her arms across
her chest.
    Ria laughed
as she scooped her daughter up.  “Ah, let’s go and find Uncle Tom before we
leave for Church.”
    ~~~~
    “Knock,
knock.  Any sleeping giants in here?”  Ria pretended to whisper, while Rose who
was squirming in her arms, giggled.  Ria pushed open the bedroom door slowly. 
    Tom had
heard all the laughter from downstairs and knew his sister and her family had
arrived.  He had been waiting for his headache to subside a little before
heading downstairs.  When he heard the childlike giggling at the door, he knew,
headache or not, his little niece would want to play.  He pulled the blankets
up over his head, ready to scare his niece when she entered.
    “Ssshh!” 
Ria placed a finger over her lips, Rose who was watching her mother, copied the
action.  Her large blue eyes then turned to look towards the lump on the bed. 
Her mother started to tip toe over, clutching her on her hip.  Rose could hardly
contain her excitement; a little squeal escaped her lips as her legs started pumping
against Ria’s hip.  As they reached the end of the bed, a big boo came
from under the blankets as Tom sat up.