Healing Cousin George

by Karin Roberts

  

Gavin was true to his word and by the following weekend my ticket for the Summer Ball had been secured.

"You will need to sit with us and Archie at the meal, the tables are numbered and named, is that ok" Debbie asked.

"Yeah not a problem, can't say I would have been all that keen on sitting with George and Amanda" I replied.

"How are thing's on that front, any change since our day out last week" she asked.

"Well he's been really nice to me this week, even insisted in making dinner the other night" I replied.

"Well keep it up and maybe we will avert the disaster of Amanda getting her feet under the table for good."

"So I guess the Ball means another shopping trip" I asked.

"Eh no, you've a lot to learn yet Alex. Remember this is the event of the year around here you need a classy dress one just right for the night, well you do if your young enough to wear it and we are."

"So what then" I asked a little confused.

"Well it's the kind of outfit you would not wear again so you hire it. I mean I've been to about eight of these now and it's stupid having eight different dresses that you'll never wear again lying in a wardrobe."

"I suppose, so where do we hire them" I asked her.

"Look don't you worry about that, I know your size and I know just the place on the net to hire something for both of us. You just continue to do what you're doing at home and I'll take care of the clothes. Besides it will be a surprise on the night and after all I take it you will be coming with us and not keeping George and Amanda company on the drive over."

"Yeah I suppose."

"What are you going to do about Melissa" Debbie asked.

"Eh I suppose I will need to call Mum see if she can take her for the night"

"How do you think that will go down if you tell her you're going to a ball" asked Debbie.

"Eh I'm not sure maybe I won't tell her, I'll call her later today"

"Well if you are really struggling I can probably rustle up a baby sitter from in town" she offered.

"Thanks, we'll see."

"Look I better go, I'll see you tomorrow for a work out and a bit of lunch, ok"

"Yeah fine, see you then" and with that Debbie hung up the phone.

The Ball was only two weeks away and I was getting excited already.

…………..

Next morning I called Mum.

"Mum it's Alex; I need to ask you a favour"

"Yeah what is it" she asked.

"I need to go to an interview with the Education Board just to sort out some details over the date for me taking up post. Could you maybe have Melissa for the weekend," I lied.

"When," she asked.

"Eh the weekend after next, I need to get changed and fixed up Friday the interview's on Monday, so you would need to bring her back Tuesday" I asked.

"What about George can't he manage?"

"Eh no, it's the Farmers Union Summer Ball that weekend, George is doing a lot of the organising so he will be rushed off his feet, please" I asked.

"Ok, Dad and Ashley will be pleased to see her anyway; I'll need to pick her up Thursday night though because I have a doctor's appointment Friday."

"Eh that will be ok" even better that I thought to myself gives me and Debbie more time to prepare for the ball.

"Ok, see you a week on Thursday then"

"Thanks Mum" I said as I hung the phone up.

The next few days flew past and by the weekend things were all pretty much set for the Ball.

George had been working most of the week on the final details with caterers, the company providing the bar and the band that had been hired to provide entertainment on the night.

The Saturday night before me and George were sitting chatting over a coffee after dinner when the door opened and Amanda stepped in dressed in a smart skirt and blouse, make up immaculate.

"You not ready yet" she announced as she walked towards us.

George looked up a bit bemused.

"You forgot didn't you we are going for a drink with my boss and his wife" she said sounding a bit exasperated by it all.

"Oh babe, it slipped my mind" he said as he got up and kissed her on the lips. "I'll be five minutes just grab a wash and change, you want a drink" he said as he turned towards the stairs.

"I'll have a coffee" Amanda said looking directly at me. I think she liked the thought of treating me like the hired help, gave her some kind of power kick. Obediently I put the coffee cup down and got up and walked over to the kettle flicking the switch to warm the water. I took out a mug and dropped some coffee granules in it just as the water came to a boil.

"Milk or sugar" I asked as I poured the hot water in.

"Eh nothing just black, I need to keep my figure in check for the big night next week." She said as I picked up the cup and walked back towards her.

"You should see the dress I have for next week, it's stunning. I mean, I so need to make a good impression if I'm on the arm of the organiser," she went on.

"Yeah I suppose" I said in that disinterested manner as I sat the cup in front of her.

She took a sip, "You know it's such a pity you can't go, I mean you've been here for month's now and to miss the event of the year in these parts is such a shame" she said smiling at me.

"Oh but I am going, didn't George tell you" I could see the smile alter instantly as she looked across the table.

Sensing that I had inflicted a wound I drove the knife a bit deeper. "Eh who is it a Mr Spiers I think his wife's in hospital I think. Anyway Gavin play's golf with him so he asked him for his spare ticket and he said it was ok."

I could see a look on Amanda's face something between surprise and anger as she looked down at her cup.

"It's ok though, I'm going with Debbie and Gavin so I won't be cramping your style. You will still have George to yourself for the night." I said as I could here George begin to come down the stairs.

"Eh right" she said putting the cup down and getting up.

"You ready to go babe" George said as he stepped down into the kitchen.

"Eh yeah" she said taking his arm and planting a kiss on his mouth.

"Ok let's go, I'll drive you can have a drink, maybe stay over" he said putting his arm round her shoulders.

"Eh yeah maybe" she said as the got to the door.

"See you later Alex" George called back as they exited.

"Yeah see you later" I said getting up and walking towards the sink.

Peering out of the window I could see them walk towards the car, George's arm gone from Amanda's shoulder as she gestured back towards the house in what seemed like a frantic manner, chattering in his ear as they reached the car.

A smile crept across my lips as they drove off.

  

  

  

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