Chapter 2 - Welcome Home

The clock ticked around to three. Jackie had arrived, punctual, and with a little bag in her hand. Violet showed her to a spare room, and even this spare room had an en-suite shower. Jackie’s bag contained her outfit for tonight, along with make-up and accessories. She was dressed in slacks, ready to roll up her sleeves and get baking. There were fillings to be made for the quiche, the breadcrumbs to wrap around the mushrooms, and a variety of toppings to add to the pizza base which Violet had made earlier. Along with a few other snack nibbles, such as crisps and party foods.

By about half-four, the food was prepared and organised, most set out on the kitchen worktop. The last minute cooking would be done when most of the villagers had arrived, so the hot food would still be warm at the key moment in time. Violet talked Jackie into a quick hot beverage, along with having a cigarette, after which they would take it in turns to get ready to allow one to be available to answer the door. Five o’clock rolled around pretty quickly though, and Neville, suited and booted in a rented tuxedo from his brothers tailors in the nearest city, just like Jackie for punctuality, showed up. He had brought a South African Chardonnay, and Violet scooped a bucket of ice out of the freezer. “Here’s one I made earlier,” she giggled.
“Many thanks Violet,” Neville said, placing the wine inside the bucket. “Now if you two young ladies would like to prepare yourselves for tonight, I can keep my ear out for the door.”
“Oh Neville that is a wonderful idea!” exclaimed Jackie.
“Thank you Neville, I do agree it is a fantastic idea,” said Violet. “Shall we go make ourselves beautiful then Jackie?”
“We don’t need to make ourselves beautiful, we just need to enhance what we have Violet,” sighed Jackie.
The two ladies made their way upstairs. Jackie went to her room for the evening, and Violet went to her master bedroom. It had been a lonely one, but fingers crossed, tonight would not be so lonely.

Both ladies took a quick shower, they needed to after the exertions in the kitchen. Violet was brushing her hair when Jackie opened the door. “Oh wow!” Jackie cried. “That red dress, its always brought out the best in you!”
Violet couldn’t find her voice, her rosy cheeks from the hard work were even rosier now while blushing.
“He is really going to be overwhelmed. You’ve gone to so much effort, he’s as lucky as your brother is,” laughed Jackie. “Anyway, I just popped in to see how you were getting along. If you need a hand just yell.”
When Violet finally managed to speak, it was a timid, “Ok, thanks.”

The red dress had been worn on their wedding day ten years earlier. It had also been her university ballroom dress. Certainly having reserved it for special occasions, had done the trick as it still looked like it was brand new. Shoulder straps that held it up, along with a pattern just under the bosom line, accentuating her chest, it was perfect for her personal figure.

In the spare room, Jackie was torn between a pink frock, or a light blue ankle-length dress. “Vi,” she called. “I can’t choose which dress to wear? What should I do?”
Violet’s response was direct. “Flip a coin. Pick one you want to be heads, and if its tails, it’s the other one.”
“Ok thanks,” came the reply.
Neville’s voice bounced up the stairs. “Ladies, would you like a drink waiting for you when you are ready? It is six o’clock too.”
Violet panicked slightly. Drake was rarely late, he was frequently with Jackie, who by now was actually ready. “Yes Neville, we would both like a glass of the Cabernet Sauvignon that’s in the fridge door. Thank you,” Jackie answered for both and popped back along to see how Violet was getting along.
“Drake’s late.. He’s never late.. He better still get here!” Violet’s frustration was working up her anxiety.
“Vi,” Jackie clicked her fingers. Violet stopped. “You’re worrying about nothing, he’s got an hour and a half to turn up still. As it happens, he got held up behind a tractor down the road, and will be here in fifteen minutes.”
“Thanks Jackie. I really feel like I need a cigarette though, I’m shaking,” replied Violet, nervously.
“We’ll finish getting you ready. You’ve done your hair, I see, so lets get this stunning dress upon you.”
Violet had no answer. It was the second time Jackie had made her speechless in the last hour alone. They finished getting ready and headed down the stairs. Just in time too, for Drake had just arrived.

“Hi babe,” he cooed, as he caught sight of Jackie. “You look gorgeous as always.”
Jackie gave him a peck on the cheek. “Vi was panicking again. We have to keep her mind off of worrying so she doesn’t smoke herself out of cigarettes,” she whispered in his ear.
“Ok sweetie. Now where is my darling sister?” he asked.
“I’m right here,” Violet answered as she came around the corner with hers and Jackie’s wine glasses.
Neville also came round the corner, with a bottle of beer for Drake and himself. His jaw dropped. He, unlike Drake and Jackie, had never seen Violet wearing this red dress before. “You are going to stun everyone tonight,” he suggested. “That’s absolutely beautiful. Have you had this dress long?”
“Ever since she left university, Nev,” answered Drake, as he could see his sister was choked up a little. She’s only reserved it for special occasions. The university ball, her wedding day, and now, is the third time she would have worn it.”
“Lets hope its third time lucky then,” Neville chuckled, glancing at his watch. It was nearly six-thirty. “Shall we all take a seat?”

Violet found her full voice, although it still sounded a touch croaky. “I think I’ll have one to steady my nerves guys. Its been a relatively pleasant day, but I’m a little more cautious with each passing minute.”
“I’ll come and join you,” said Drake. “We need a little catch up. Babe, could you keep an eye on the time for the food? And Nev, could you answer the door when people arrive?”
“Sure thing honey,” Jackie replied.
“Not a problem,” answered Neville.
“If we’re not back inside by seven-fifteen, come and get us.” Drake tapped his watch.
“Ok,” Jackie and Neville chorused.
Drake took Violets arm and they headed out to the porch.

“So sis, everything’s gone smoothly so far?”
“Up until you giving me a bit of a panic because you ran late,” Violet answered, lighting up another cigarette.
“You know us men, we do like to leave things to the last minute,” he winked.
“Don’t ever do that to me again,” she playfully bit back.

The light was beginning to fade, the sun was seemingly setting behind the house from where they were. In amongst the trees, there were a few hoots of approval. The owls were up a little early, but they may have been disturbed by all the noise through the afternoon in the house. Time seemed to be flying along now, as before they knew it, Jackie had popped her head out. “Derek’s here, as is Simon. And who’s this new girl Simon’s brought with him?”
Violet called Jackie outside. “You don’t pay attention enough,” she giggled. “That new girl was in the post office this morning. Her name’s Lauren, and I invited her along as part of the community spirit we have here.”
“Really? I do keep in my own bubble at times, especially with celebrity gossip magazines,” Jackie chortled. “Food is in the oven, I best get back to it.”
“We’ll be inside in two minutes babe,” Drake chimed in, just as Jackie closed the door again.
“Tonight is your night sis. I don’t want you to worry. Everyone’s here, including Lauren. Its such a shame about Trevor too, he would have loved Lauren,” Drake sighed.
They both headed back through. Drake leading the way so as to keep Violets dress a last minute surprise for the late arrivals.
“Hey Si, Del,” he called through from the sitting-room. “Could you guys come here, bring Lauren too?”
Simon, Lauren, and Derek, all came through, the guys with beers, and Lauren with a glass of wine.
“I present to you, your hostess, my gorgeous sister, Violet,” Drake said, as he stepped to the side.

There was a stunned silence for a moment. You could hear a pin drop. Then Lauren, although the quietest of the three voices, spoke up. “Violet, that dress, is just made for you.”
Simon was next, booming out, reverberating round the room. “Wow. I’m rendered speechless.”
Finally Derek said, “If only you were my daughter. Jokes aside, you are radiating beauty. If he’s not overwhelmed at the sight of you tonight, I’ll eat my hat.”

Jackie and Neville had been applying the finishing touches to the plates of food in the kitchen, but it was now seven-thirty, as planned, and they came through to the sitting-room. “The food is finally ready Vi, no panic needed on that side, but I think we should stand out the front, in the last rays of sunlight.”

The rest of the group agreed, but Violet seemed to be frozen to the spot. Was she having a gut feeling that something wasn’t right? Or was this her anxiety building up again?

“Vi!” hissed Jackie. “Not now!”

Violet shook her head as she felt reality pulling her back. “Sorry everyone. Yes, lets go outside. The sunsets are beautiful at this time of year.”

The little crowd gathered out the front. “Does everyone have a drink?” called Drake. The ladies looked at their glasses. They were fine, but the guys needed a quick top up. Being as quick as he could, Drake nipped back inside, pulled out four beers, and came back. Had he missed anything? Not from what he could initially see.

The road had been quiet since the last three had arrived. Then there was a purr of an engine, but as of yet, no lights were seen. Eagerly watching the direction from where the sound came from, most of them were staying calm, even though they could feel hearts jumping out. Violet was the only one too nervous to watch, and was pacing a little up and down. She could feel her anxiety growing, but was reluctant to go and try to have a cigarette to calm down with. As the sound of the engine got louder, the faster she began to pace. There was still a few moments before the sun would fully set, but Neville had set up multiple candles around the front door, so there would still be light even after sunset. Around the corner, came two beams of white light. They were nearly here.

Drake caught hold of one of his sisters arms, Jackie the other. “Everything is going to be fine Vi,” Jackie said. “You’re wearing that wedding dress of yours, he should recognise you instantly.”
“But what if I don’t recognise him?” Violet began, but she couldn’t get any more words out. She had heard a song that was blaring out of the open windows of the car. It had been her wedding song, the one while walking down the aisle, and the first dance at the reception. It was befitting that she was wearing the same red dress too. The car stopped right in front of them. The song was still playing but the engine stopped. The lights were turned out, and the chauffeur stepped out of the drivers side. Suspense. Nerves. Fear. So much ran through her mind in that moment that she felt herself begin to sway.

Opening the rear doors and the front passenger door, the chauffeur conducted the appearance of all three of them with diplomacy. They all left the car together and walked over. The chauffeur stopped the music, and there was a moments silence. Out of nowhere, surprising everyone even though they were expecting it, came a loud shriek. “CHRIS!” cried Violet. “Welcome home my darling!”

All three guys who’s got out of the car saluted everyone for being there. Chris himself was forty years old, five foot ten, light brown hair, had a goatee that he’d kept trimmed ever since the day he had married Violet, those ten years previous, and had rich brown eyes that were looked after by a slim pair of glasses. He was of average build, but while having been away, he had toned up and looked a little better for it. To his right, stood Violet and Drake’s elder brother, Andy, who, was almost identical to Chris. In everything but the glasses and the goatee. Andy preferred to remain clean shaven, so it made it easier to distinguish between the two. He was forty-one, and had gone to the same school as Chris. On the left of Chris, stood Jake, a lean, twenty-six year old nephew of Neville’s. He wasn’t the best looking, his mop of ruffled blonde hair and his hazel eyes, coupled with being just five foot six, he had been the butt of the jokes. They had all been away for the best part of the last six months, on a trip around the globe. There would be time for conversation and discussion, but Violet had leapt forward and thrown her arms around Chris with the most passion that any of the group had seen from her.

“Crikey sis, let the man breathe,” said Andy. “I know you’ve missed him these last few months, but can we have a beer?”
Chris pulled away from Violet for a sec. “It’s ok bud, I’ve missed her just as much. Would love to take her with me next time. Some of the sights she would adore wandering around.” Winking at Jake, he added, “Looks like there’s even room for you,” his eyes flicked towards Lauren.
“Don’t be daft Chris,” said Jake, “She’s way out of my league.”
“I am here you know!” exclaimed Lauren, more forceful than she had been while settling in over the last few days.
“It’s ok Lauren,” chuckled Chris. “Simon already told us all that you were here, this is our way of welcoming you.”
Jackie glanced at Lauren. “Boys will be boys,” she whispered.

The sunset was nearly complete.
“Hey guys, the sun’s going down, but look over there,” pointed Derek. “You’ll see the moon and the sun at the same time if you’re quick enough.”

After witnessing the strange phenomenon, they all piled into the sitting room.
“Yo bro,” Andy said to Drake. “Looks like you’re up for beer duty.”
“Perks of being the youngest one I guess,” Drake laughed. “I’ll keep up with you one day.”

Jackie strolled over to Violet and Lauren. “Hey girls, want to go gossip in the kitchen?”
“Sure thing,” said Lauren, before whispering, “I want to know more about Jake. He’s cute.”
“I guess I could come for a chat. I have missed Chris you know!” exclaimed Violet.
“You’ve got all night to get re-acquainted with him,” winked Jackie.
“Ok, you win. Lets go,” Violet retorted with a hint of frustration.