Page 58 of One More Time

‘No, you never tell us anything of the sort,’ Bryn said playfully.

‘Yeah, we feel very unloved,’ Hudson agreed, his trademark cheeky smile plastered on his handsome face.

‘Oh, stop it, you pair.’ Grace tugged the tea towel from her shoulder, and swiped it in their direction. ‘Now, what can I make you both for a birthday breakfast, before you head off to wow your teacher with your culinary skills?’

‘Oh, I’m all good thanks, Mum.’ Hudson grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. ‘I’m saving myself for your awesome cooking tonight.’

‘Me too.’ Unlike his health-conscious brother, Bryn grabbed a box of chocolate biscuits out of the walk-in pantry.

Grace’s hands instinctively went to her hips. ‘How many times have I told you that you shouldn’t be starting the day off with junk food, Bryn Wilson?’

‘Loads of times. But it’s my birthday, sooo …’ He tossed a biscuit in his mouth and grinned, looking just like his father would have in the same situation, although she had to admit that his sweet tooth undeniably came from her.

‘Come on, we better head.’ Hudson planted a kiss on Grace’s cheek. ‘Love ya, Mum. Catch you laters.’

Bryn followed suit. ‘Love you more than this clown, Mum,’ he said, provoking a jab to the ribs from Hudson.

Grace watched them hightail it out of the kitchen, their backpacks over their shoulders. ‘Good luck with your exams!’

A chorus of ‘Thanks!’ was followed by the slamming of the front door.

Rolling her eyes, she chuckled to herself. Her boys were so alike in so many ways, yet they were vastly different. Veering off on different culinary paths, they’d both chosen to become chefs – Hudson wanted to specialise in cooking food where every morsel of animal and vegetable was used, whereas Bryn was all about becoming a pastry chef. They were living the dream that she never got to fulfil, of becoming a qualified chef, and all off their own backs. It was as though the love for preparing delicious food was in the blood.

As for Hope, she was falling in love with a military man just like her father. Grace just hoped and prayed he didn’t encounter the same demons that Charlie had. As they’d all learned the hard way, hurt people hurt people.

The phone chimed on the kitchen bench, and she snatched it up before it went to the answering machine. ‘Hello, Grace speaking.’

‘Hey, Mum.’

‘Hope! Hi darling, I was just thinking about you.’ Gazing out the kitchen window, she watched Hudson and Bryn disappear down the driveway in Hudson’s beloved Ford truck. ‘How’s it going?’

‘Yeah, pretty good. Just navigating the Sydney traffic right now.’ The sound of a car horn blared. ‘I’m running a little behind time, as usual, but don’t worry, I should make my plane.’

‘Okay, I hope so. The boys are going to be so happy you’re flying up to surprise them.’ Another horn resonated down the line and she grimaced. ‘Just make sure you drive safely, won’t you?’

‘I’m not the one driving, Mum.’

Grace wandered over to the oven. ‘Oh, are you in a cab?’

‘No, Kelvin offered to bring me.’

‘How lovely of him.’ She turned the temperature to one hundred and eighty degrees. ‘Say hi to him for me, and tell him we’re sad he won’t be making it up here for the weekend.’

‘You’re on loudspeaker, Mum, so he just heard that.’

‘Oh, hi Kelvin,’ Grace said to the man she was yet to meet, but had heard so many good things about.

‘Hey, Mrs … uh, Hope’s mum.’ Kelvin’s voice was deep and friendly.

‘Just Grace is fine.’ Going to the fridge, she grabbed the bowl of fresh eggs Charlie had given to her – they tasted so much better than shop-bought ones.

‘Okay, Mum, we’re almost at the airport, so I’ll be seeing you in a couple of hours.’

‘I can’t wait to give you a big hug! Two months is ages between visits.’ She walked into the pantry in search of the rest of the ingredients for the birthday cake. ‘Have you sent your father the flight number and arrival time?’

‘Yes, he rang me this morning to tell me he’ll be there to pick me up, with bells on.’

‘Great.’ Grace quietly appreciated how Charlie always remembered the important stuff. ‘I love you, my darling.’