The front door slammed, Joy called out. “Tea and cake in the kitchen.”
The magic mention of food brought two scowling teenagers to the huge, battered table in the middle of the back room.
Joy left them to demolish most of the generous slices of chocolate fudge cake she’d served. Then, as the eating slowed and both girls reached for their tea mugs, she asked. “How was school?”
“Awful.” Emily’s head went down.
Joy raised a brow at Amanda who grimaced but said nothing.
Right, great, what on earth could she do now? She was only the stepmother, and the twins’ mum was on a business trip in China, so all but impossible to get hold of. Their dad, bless him, was in London, due back in two hours, and all but useless in the face of teen angst.
Finding refuge of sorts in her own cup of tea, she kept her response casual. “Is it the type of awful that can be talked about?”
Emily hunched further.
“Or is it the type of awful that needs comfort food, comfort blankets and comfort telly?”
Amanda brightened, Emily didn’t.
“Or is it the type of awful that needs duct tape, plastic bags and a spade?”
Amanda snorted and Joy saw the edge of Emily’s mouth quirk up, just a little.
“Right, let me grab paper, a pen, and a lighter.” She winked at Emily’s confused glance up. “The lighter’s for destroying the plans once they’re done and memorised.”
“You’re dumb.” The hint of a smile was back.
Amanda slapped her sister’s arm. “No she’s not, Jayden White is dumb.”
The DNA of Stories 