I'm Normally Perfect (re-upload)

Chapter Eight

'Um. Ironically, English Muffins. They're sort of like tea cakes, but not really.' I had a sip of my drink, 'Hmm, it's like root beer, but gingery.'

'Root beer?'

'Yeah, it's like ginger beer, but rooty.' She laughed. 'Root beer is a little more sweet, it's a fizzy drink that comes in a bottle like this,' I gestured to the ginger beer bottle.

'What meal do English Muffins go with?'

'It's a breakfast food, you split it down the middle and put jam and butter on it.'

'Did you eat breakfast today?'

'No, Mother, but only because I crawled out of bed about half an hour before you arrived.' I tried the stir-fry vegetables, 'These are fab.' She smiled and I asked around a broccoli spear, 'What?'

'Listen to you, with your "fab".'

'Are you taking the piss?'

She laughed out loud, 'Not at all. I like it.'

'I'm just trying to blend in.'

'I don't think you could do that anywhere, my dear.'

'Thanks. Just for that I am helping myself to your Moo Goo Gai Pan.' I plopped a spoonful on my plate.

'Have as much as you'd like. What would you like for pudding?'

'I'd love pudding for pudding, but don't know the correct term for it here.'

'Describe it.'

'It's milk based and can be chocolate or vanilla with a texture similar to yoghurt, but a bit more creamy and sweet and not nearly as good for you.'

'Sounds like custard. Do you have that in the states?'

'Yeah, it is like that.'

She went into the house and returned with two small bowls of white custard.

I tasted it and issued my 'mmmm' of approval, 'This is it exactly. Thanks.'

Once the washing up was sorted we settled in the sitting room. I set to work on some poetry I was polishing up while she read. Soon I found myself scribbling away furiously about her. Previously, my poetry had always been based on fictional people. Writing about a person sitting a few feet away, with the light falling on her face just so was easier, as she was right there for inspiration, but I had difficulty finding words to do her justice.

I was so wrapped up in that I didn't realise she was watching me until she asked, 'What are you so consumed with over there?'

'Huh?'

'I was wondering whatever could have your concentration so entirely.'

'Oh, uh...nothing.' I blushed.

She grinned, 'Is it something naughty?'

It took a moment for me to catch her drift. 'No! Sorry. I didn't mean to shout, it's just...private.'

'All right, you're allowed your secrets.' We continued in our separate pursuits until Cate scurried in, jumped onto the arm of the sofa and barked twice at Alex in a very pointed manner.

I looked up from what was becoming an epic poem, 'Does that mean something?'

'I believe she would appreciate a visit to the little dogs room. I'll put the kettle on.'

Alex addressed Clem, 'What about you? Need to go out?' The bulldog roused herself from her place at my feet and stretched her way along behind Alex. I heard another exclamation from Cate the Great and Alex's response, 'All right, all right, keep your knickers on' shortly before the sound of the door opening and closing. Alex called to me from the kitchen, 'She's so bossy. I should have named them Pushy and Sleepy. What would you like to nosh with your tea?'