The Ties That Bind

Ties That Bind- Chapter 2

“But Annie does.” Paige retaliated.

“Don’t call me that!” I snapped ignoring Liam’s raised eyebrows and mocking eye rolls just as Jo re-entered the room.

“What’s the inspection for Jo?” I asked, successfully redirecting the conversation.

Jo shrugged. “The usual, making sure you guys are still alive.” She said sticking her tongue out at the younger kids. I rolled my eyes again as the twins laughed and tried to mimic her.

“Jo? Can we leave or do we have to stay?” Cee asked.

“Well you kind of have to. Sorry guys. Why? Where were you going to go?”

Cee shrugged trying to appear unconcerned, “Just granddad’s, Paul and I said we’d visit. I don’t want him thinking we forgot or anything.” Their grandfather had acute Alzheimer’s so he spent a lot of the time not knowing who they were but sometimes he would remember and they’d receive a letter. Maybe a thank you for visiting or a simple I love you? I don’t know but Cee always made sure that both he and Paul saw their grandfather as much as possible. Even if the old peoples’ home where he lived was two hours away.

Jo sighed, “Fine, look don’t worry I’ll cover for you just keep your phones on. Yeah? Are they fully charged?”

“Yeah Jo,” Cee muttered rolling his eyes at Jo’s over protectiveness.

“And credit?”

“Well, if you’re offering...” he replied with a wink.

“Yes or no boys?” Jo accentuated, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah we have credit.”

“Okay. You need any money or are you good?”

“We’re good-“

“You sure? Here take a tenner just in case,” she muttered, practically talking to herself as she pulled out her purse and handed Cee a ten pound note, “better safe than sorry yeah?-and no spending it on rubbish!”

Cee couldn’t seem to hide his smirk any longer, “Yeah okay mum.” He muttered humouring her. In response, Jo gave him a dazzling grin. Cee returned her smile with a soft, genuine one-a rarity coming from him. He was more of the brooding teen. He rolled his eyes, trying to hide his smile as Paul smirked at him knowingly.

“Okay, be careful-look after each other,” Cee raised his eyebrows at her comment, “well I know you do anyway, call us if you need us.” Jo rolled her eyes and started ushering them out of the kitchen as they mumbled their rushed goodbyes and left.

“Okay! Anyone else backing out? Not that you can anyway,” she added raising her eyebrows challengingly.

I shrugged, “Nope, got nothing better to do... Which is incredibly sad.” I added with a laugh. Liam chuckled and Jo smiled slightly rolling her eyes at me before handing everyone a piece of paper.

“So, I have a rotary system here-all you guys need to do is whatever chore you’ve been assigned. Elle, you’re the oldest so can you do Cee’s as well please? And Liam, second eldest so you get Paul’s. That okay? Woo, let’s get going!” she added without waiting for any answers. I already knew it was a rhetorical question and Liam looked as though he hadn’t even been listening, his gaze focused on his phone and an unreadable expression on his face.

As if on cue everyone got up to get to work on their chores. The faster it was done the faster we could all leave. Matt busied himself helping the twins as everyone else made a move to their rooms chairs scraping against the wooden floor of the dining area.