Takes my story of Follyfolk a stage further.
Chapter One- A call from Liverpool.
The phone rang in the farmhouse and Slugger picked it up.
'Follyfoot- Slugger speaking.'
'Well hello there, Slugger, Elizabeth O'Sullivan speaking. Would Theresa be there with you?
I've tried their phone several times this afternoon but I can't get any answer.'
'No, she aint here. I don't fink she's back from work yet. Ron's about somewhere, shall I give 'im a shout?'
'No, that's okay, if you could just tell Theresa to phone me as soon as she gets back. 'How's yourself?'
'Old age is creeping up on me-can't do much since I had a bad bout of flu just after the wedding, I can't seem to shake it off.'
'Ah well, you take care of yourself-summer's arrived at last, the warmer weather should help.'
'Yers- I 'ope so- TTFN' He put the phone down and a few minutes later Teri drove in. Slugger stuck his head out of the door. 'Yer mum's been on the dog and bone luv- wants yer ter ring 'er toot sweet.'
'Thanks Slugs.' She went over to where Ron was watering the lightning tree. She gave him a kiss and said 'I have to ring my mother. I bet I know what she wants to talk about. Put another bucket on love, the tree's worked magic for Dora and Steve- let's hope it has some left for us.' Ron obliged.
'Come on luv, let's go have a nice cuppa before you ring her back. We've only been married three months- that's no time at all to be worried about there being no sign of a baby.It's fine by me- you know I love little Jeff to bits but Dora and Steve don't get much time to themselves with him around.'
'I agree with you Ron- it doesn't bother me either but my mother's a different kettle of fish. Everyone else in the family has had the same treatment. Martha went a whole six months before she fell and mum nearly drove her and Patrick crazy. I think if I don't get pregnant soon she'll be down here conducting an investigation to make sure we're not using birth control. I suppose I'd better ring her and get it over with.' Ron went too and made a pot of tea then sat beside Teri on the couch to give her moral support.
'Hi mum, how are you and dad and everyone?'
'Ah sure we're all fine. All the little ones are over the chicken pox-went right through all those who hadn't had it already. The Lord only knows how many bottles of calamine lotion we got through! I've got wonderful news too, Lisa's pregnant again. Grandchild number 24 is on the way. Let's hope we'll have news of number 25 before Christmas eh?. Anyway, while i'm on the phone what would you like the family to buy you for your birthday? I know it's not till September but I want t get things organised.'
'How about a Polaroid camera? It can be a shared present with Ron- after all he didn't get one. Some of the family sent him cards but you didn't even manage that!' Ron nearly choked on his tea and made frantic signals at her and shook his head. He didn't want her to fall out with Elizabeth. 'Well if you're sure that's what you want. Dora and Steve are coming to stay with us for a few days at the end of August. They are going to introduce Jeff to his grandmother. They can bring your present back with them. Now Theresa, I hope you're remembering to go to confession.'
'Of course.'
'Well that's good dear. I'll be praying every night that you and Ronald will have an addition to the family soon. Now you give my regards to everyone there and mind you look after Slugger. The poor soul didn't sound too good. I'd best be going now I think that we have visitors. Your dad and I are babysitting tonight, I like to keep my hand in.'
'Right you are mum- bye for now.'
Teri put the phone down and looked heavenwards. 'Oh there are times when I could easily disown my own mother.'
'Come on luv, she's got a heart of gold- she just loves babies!'
'Get us another cuppa, there's a love.'
'Okay- I put the casserole in at half three like you said. My dad wants us to visit him tonight- is that okay with you?'
'Sorry Ron, you'll have to go by yourself. I promised Dora I'd babysit because she and Steve are going out to celebrate her birthday. I'll take our present over then. You can drop me off on your way to your dad's and come and join me later.'
Right- I don't know what he wants- haven't seen hide nor hair of him since the wedding. I s'pose I'd better take the photos over, he hasn't seen them yet.'
'I'll have to ask Dora to take them to my mum, she'll no doubt want to keep them to show round the family. I think I'll have a bath before we eat.'
'I'll come and scrub your back'
'No Ron- I need to relax after a hard day at work and a trying conversation with my mother.'
'How about after your bath we relax together?'
'That sounds like a very good idea, I'd better turn the oven down!'
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