Charming Mr Stewart

13b. Clanging Hints for the Nearly Deaf

"How'd you sleep, Elle?" Peter said, whisking eggs in a bowl.

"Great!" Elle chirped, despite having had an utterly embarrassing dream where she'd arrived buck naked at a large ball-like house party where Dean was also present.

"Hope you like omelettes."

Elle smiled, her stomach eager for food. "Would love some."

Chloe poured a mug of coffee and slid it across the bench top. "It's a bit strong."

Elle sat herself down, taking her coffee. A slight throb had begun in her head and she knew it was the heavy drinking last night, finally catching up with her.

"How's that head of yours?" Peter asked with a knowing smile.

"Like a loud construction site. Should be fun in an hour."

Chloe chuckled. "You were off your face," and poured the eggs into a frypan.

"Where's good shopping around here?" she asked, massaging her temple slowly.

"What do you need to buy?" Chloe asked.

"You didn't tell me you were having many people around while I was visiting." Elle twirled her mug. "I have nothing to wear for the people you've invited."

"The people?" Chloe repeated. "You mean Dean?"

Peter's shoulders shook as he went back to folding vegetables into the egg. He was laughing.

"Why would I care about him?" Elle defiantly asked.

Chloe snorted. "Because the only other people coming tonight are all family."

"What about Peter's partners?" Elle asked defensively. She'd only just remembered they were coming, but still.

"They are all just like Peter," Chloe replied. "You can wear a paper bag and they'd still be polite."

Elle's mouth flew open. "Fine, if you don't want to take me, then don't. But I'm not wearing shabby jeans and a top tonight. May as well go naked in that case," she mumbled, just like in her dream. "You're the one who's been trying to get me to come out and play."

"I'm sorry!" Chloe put her hands up in defeat. "I'm just happy, you know."

"Are you going to help me or not, then?"

"She will," Peter answered, cutting the large omelette into three equal pieces. "She's just happy that Dean's gotten to you."

"Has not!"

"Dear Elle." Peter laughed, placing a plate in front of her with a slice of the divine-smelling omelette. Elle sat like a child being growled at. "Chloe's been trying to set you two up for quite some time. I'm surprised you haven't noticed yet."

Elle opened to say something clever, but all that came out was, "Is it so wrong to want to fit in?" The two shook their heads, and Elle cut up her omelette.

"Show me what you've got," Chloe offered.

"I told you. Dad made me rush so much that the only dress I was going to pack for the weekend got left behind on my bed. This is delicious, Pete," she said, helping herself to another forkful.

Chloe laughed. "We're going to have to do more than buy a dress, I think." She winked at Peter.

Peter smiled. "Go on. I'll handle the fort." Chloe kissed him on the cheek and went back to eating.

Elle, lost in translation, stared at them. "What are you two on about?"

"You'll see. Now eat up, we have a long day ahead," Chloe said.