Page 60 of Defying Ella
“I swear I left it on the coffee table.”
“Then why are you ripping up the pillows?”
“Because it’s not on the coffee table.”
He still hadn’t found his by the time I got mine plugged in and rescued from super battery saver mode. Notifications loaded so fast I couldn’t keep up, the tell-tale ding rivalling the returned whoosh of the heating.
Streams of messages waited for me, but there was only oneperson I really needed to reach with any urgency. While Jared rushed down the stairs to check his room for the missing device, I video-called Mel.
It barely rang, connecting so fast that I startled when Mel screeched her hello. The connection might have been fuzzy but at least I could hear and see my sister after days of blackout. The last bit of tension drained from me.
“Are you okay, Els? I was ready to fly back out and start digging myself.”
“I’m fine. Sick to death of this place but otherwise fine.” I flicked the kettle on, appreciating the return of convenience. “Any word on how long we’ll be stuck now?”
“Andy probably texted you. You’re next on the agenda so hopefully,” she crossed her fingers in front of the camera, grinning like a loon, “tomorrow is freedom day.” She leaned in, her eyes darting off to the side. “Advance warning, Mam’s threatened to steal your passport. She’s losing patience.”
“I heard that,” my mother shouted, indignation rife in her voice. “Tell that daughter of mine that she’s given me enough grey hairs considering she’s only twenty-four. I’d like to make it to fifty without any more.”
Mel’s brows rose at me, her eyes twinkling as she mouthedsorry.
“I’m not going anywhere for a while. I promise, Mam.”
“She doesn’t believe you, but anyway…” Mel grinned at me. “Got any news for me? Any interesting developments in isolation with a certain drummer you’d care to share?”
The kettle clicked and I propped the phone up to start pulling out mugs.
“We’re getting along and that’s all you’re getting for now.”
“Auntie Els?” Phoebe screamed from somewhere out of shot. “Gimme. I talk.”
“Mammy’s having a conversation, munchkin. You can talk to auntie Els in a minute.”
“Why are you being cagey, Ella? Your sister’s been on edgefor days expecting the worst,” my mother said as I sniffed the milk. She swept up Mel’s phone and I bit my lip to contain any amusement at her narrowed gaze.
“No, Nanny, my turn.” Rhythmic thumps sounded down the line, almost smothering my mother’s next words.
“Do I need to start planning a wedding?”
If I’d already made the tea, I would have choked.
“Mam,” Mel hissed. She stepped into shot behind my mother, Phoebe fidgeting in her arms as she reached for the phone. “Sorry, Ella. Clearly, the stress got to her head.” Mel elbowed her lightly.
My mother frowned. “It’s a perfectly reasonable question. You won’t let me plan one for you and Dan.”
“That’s not what I said at all.” Mel glared at our mother for a second before refocusing on me. “I didn’t say that. We’re not ready.”
“Well, maybe Dan doesn’t agree,” my mother grumbled beneath her breath.
My cheeks hurt from smiling at the lot of them and my heart, the silly thing was about ready to burst. Somehow I managed to follow their bickering and Phoebe’s increasing demands for the phone without issue. Come to think of it, I’d always been able to keep track of multiple conversations. After a couple of days with only Jared for company, it stood out starker against the norm.
Maybe I could do something with that…?
“No weddings, Mam. It’s a bit soon for that.” I smiled at Phoebe. “Phoebs, you and I can have a phone date as soon as I’m done talking to your Mam. We could start working on your times tables when I get back. Or,” I grinned, a look of mischief saved for only my niece, “we can have a sleepover.”
Phoebe screeched her agreement, wriggling so severely that Mel had to put her down. She shot off into the house, calling for my dad and chattering excitedly about a sleepover.
“And Mel, well, we’ll catch up when I’m back.” I blew outa breath, failing to stop the goofy lovesick smile from taking over my face. “I’ll tell you everything. No detail off-limits. Okay?”
