Hellbound

Chapter Eight

"Night shift?" West says as we stand around the kitchen. "I didn't realise you'd have to that" he states looking up at me from over the kitchen island.

I shrug "neither did I" it's silent for a moment "on the bright side, it's quiet at night; all the inmates are in their cells".

He rolls his shoulders, stretching them out from the busy day he had at the station. "Yeah I guess I just wasn't aware of this part".

"I know" I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "We better get going, mum and dad will be expecting us" I say.

West looks over towards the clock on the wall, nodding.

Once a week we go over to mum and dads house to have dinner. It started when I first moved out, mum begged for it and I knew she was scared I'd begin to drift away. As much as she wanted to pretend that the Platonic relationship between her and dad didn't affect me, she knew it did and knew I wanted to get away from it. This is her way of making sure I don't up and leave.

As for West's parents, they're around somewhere. After West turned eighteen and moved out with his Darling Katie, their relationship ended and his parents moved to France. Every now and then he gets a call from them but it's not very often.

*

"Hi honey, how are you?" mum asks as she answers the door to West and I.

"Hi mum, I'm alright" I press a kiss to her cheek and allow her to press her own kiss to my cheek. "How are you?"

She sighs; her eyes tired "I'm alright, honey. Come in, come in" she waves her hand over, leading us to the kitchen.

Food covers the island as she walks over to the oven, opening it and pulling out a roast chicken.

"What have you been up to?" I ask as West stands beside me.

"Not a lot. Been busy in the garden" she smiles, looking over her shoulder at me "planted some pansies the other day, you'll have to have a look when you leave". Her garden has always been one of her most prized possessions.

"I will" I agree.

"Smith here?" West asks for my dad. They get along well, always talking about tools and cars, you know, manly things.

I know my mother well and notice the tiniest drop in her face, unnoticeable to West as she looks back at the chicken.

"He should be home soon" she answers the question nonchalantly.

Surprisingly, sure enough dad turns up moments before we're about to sit down for dinner. He walks up to West, shaking his hand, more excited to see West than mum and I. He gives me a wave and ignores mum while she ignores him too. The lingering tension almost enough to choke me before West and dad escape to the garage.

"Here Poppy, help me place these on the table please" she asks as she hands me a bowl full of peas and potatoes while she takes the chicken. I follow behind her and place them where she wants them.

"I'll get the boys" I could see mum didn't want to go to the garage and let them know dinner's ready.

"Thanks honey" she gives me a tight smile.

It makes my heart tighten in sadness as I get closer to the garage. I stand around the corner and listen to dad talking animatedly with West. Their relationship is closer then anything I have ever had with dad. It should make my heart happy that my partner and father get along well but honestly it just makes me jealous.

"Hey" I knock on the wall as I lean in the open doorway "dinner's ready" I announce.

"Thanks babe, be there in a sec" West answers lovingly.