And Fiona had watched it all.
The tickling in bed (though she’d followed Jason when he left the room, worried about him after his reaction at seeing Bella and Prentice in his mother and father’s bed).
The conversation on the landing when Prentice (not letting any grass grow) set about righting the wrongs he’d inadvertently done Bella.
The disastrous muffin baking.
She also watched Bella clean the kitchen with Sally’s “help” which made the onerous task all the more onerous while Prentice went after Jason. During this, Fiona watched Bella bite her lip and fist her hands.
Fiona wanted to be with Jason and Prentice but Fiona knew her son. He was like his father. He felt deeply. But, in miraculously little time, he came to decisions and stuck by them, about people and events.
He knew his mind, Jason did, always had, even as a wee lad.
He might be confused but he’d sort it – with his father’s help.
Fiona was more worried about Bella.
She whispered words to soothe her friend as the time slid by while Prentice was upstairs with Jason.
Then, when this didn’t work, she shouted her soothing words.
Incredibly, this seemed to work and Bella began to focus more on Sally and making oatmeal cookies (and why they needed oatmeal cookies to add to the chocolate chip cookies in the cookie jar, Fiona had no idea) and less on tearing her palms with her nails.
When Prentice and Jason appeared again, Bella whirled to the stairs and watched them descend.
Jason had Fiona’s guitar.
Bella went pale.
“Elle, will you show me more chords today?” Jason asked.
Bella’s eyes flew to Prentice and Prentice gave Bella a wink.
Bella (and Fiona, even though hers was unnecessary as she didn’t breathe) let out a sigh.
“Sure, Jace. I just need to take a shower,” Bella answered.
While Bella showered, Fiona watched (and giggled) as Prentice moved her clothes into her new room.
Therefore, when she came out of the shower, she halted and stared at the underwear, jeans and jumper lying on the bed. An outfit she didn’t choose for herself.
She went to the wardrobe. Then she went to the drawers. Then she stared at the empty nightstand.
Then she pulled on her clothes in a tizzy and ran from the room.
She found Prentice walking out of the closet in Bella’s new room, her clothes from the drawers all over the still unmade bed.
She stood frozen.
Then she looked at him, eyes glassy, and mumbled, “Wha…?”
Prentice walked right up to her, cupped the back of her head in his hand and touched his lips to hers.
“Sort the drawers, will you, baby? I’m rubbish at that shit.”
Then he walked out as Bella gazed after him mutely.
Fiona giggled again.