Oh and then Lucas just twirled me around like I were nothing, dipped me into a kiss, something your doctor didn't do, though he showed me some good steps so at least I knew what I were doing!
Ma Denton interjected
Yes and I had a word with his mother! Kissing young lasses like that!
Alys gave a rather dramatic roll of the eyes, something teenage girls were prone to do and Alys had mastered.
It were only a kiss! Sorry about the dress Jacki, I've tried getting the wine out. Had I known that Ollie were going to hit him like that, I would have gotten out of the way!
Ma Dentons face flushed an even brighter shade of red to what it normally was, the woman going from a rosy blush to outright beetroot.
Wine?! You told me it were blackberry and apple press! That's it young lady, no more dancing for you! Why if your father were here he'd agree with me too! You wait till your brothers hear about this, why, I have a good mind to send you off to live with Evan! He'd put you right!
They sat around the large table, Ma Denton, Dahlia, Alys, Pete (Dahlias five year old boy) and herself, though the infant Daisy (also a child of Dahlias) was held against Jackilyns chest, gummy smiled and drooling over her shoulder, occasionally biting it. It was a table far too big with too much food, but then it would not be a reunion without good food and much talk and in this instance the table would also have some rock cakes from her travels. Alys pouted. Pete stuffed another bite of cake in his little mouth, half of it going down his top. Dahlia tried not to drop off to sleep, the children having obviously taken their toll of late.
It's alright Alys, accidents happen as they say, shame to let the dress go to waste! Glad you got a lesson from Elias too, he's a good dancer.
The baby squealed and Jacki responded
Yes he is Daisy, aye he is!
At that, something clicked in Alys' mind, something that had been said between her and her new employer come dance tutor, something disturbing. It left the girl staring at Jackilyn, who in turn was bouncing the baby in her arms, making silly faces at the gurgling child. Before curious words could escape from the girls lips, Ma Denton asked her own question.
Now are you certain Jacki dear that these rock cakes have no rocks in them? no dust? Dwarves are hardy folk with strong stomachs and it would be of no surprise if they did!
Ma Denton studied the inside of one of the cakes with the eye of a cook who had been baking for close to fifty years
Just flour, butter, eggs, dried fruit and spices, like them spices that I bought for you. Speaking of gifts, I need to visit Ma in a day or two, want to drop off what I got them.
The older woman had a bite and could in an instant see why the five year boy was so enthusiastic. Once clearing her mouth she spoke.
Taking your new lad dear? Your mother may have a thing or two to say about that.
Jacki shook her head, her playful expression dropping momentarily but soon forced upon her as she continued to entertain the baby in her hands.
No, no I'll go on me own, after the last time they met, it might be wise to keep them apart for a bit. Funny eh? Maybe one day there will be a lad they'll want to spend time with, though I can't see that happening any time soon. This one tells me what to do, takes charge and all even if it means upsetting me Ma, and the last can't even look at me now, he were right awkward when I took him his gifts, thankful but reluctant like.
Alys then, in all her teenage lack of tact blurted out
Surprised you got him anything after what he did. Knocks you up and then wont look at you?
Silence. Heavy, uncomfortable silence, filled the air. All eyes looked at the young girl, then turned to Jacki, all save Petes who were now on Bailey the cat. The cat meowed. Eventually it was Ma Denton that spoke.
We had our suspicions, wanted to be wrong. How did you hear about this Alys? Spit it out!
Alys did, explaining of the conversation she had with the good doctor, of how he realised he shouldn't have spoken of it, and once again about how lovely a dancer he was. Ma Denton was at a loss for words, thankfully for her, Jackilyn explained further.
No one knows if there were a child, he don't, dwarves don't, I don't, and me Ma and Pa certainly ain't to know! As for not looking at me, he explained that to me too. He said he thought it would be seen as wrong or rude on account of our past. He be worried Ath would think him a rival and all, which is daft, and don't want to test him. In truth, Ath would probably stick a pole up his arse, stuff him with straw and make him a scarecrow in time for planting season or something. I got him a gift because..because it felt right, just like I got everyone else gifts. The gift were there, it were something I knew he'd enjoy using, mostly at any rate, and after all is said and done, everything that happened between us is just because he is as he is, and I don't think he meant to hurt me, I just think it be because he doesn't think like us, act like us. Maybe it were a peace offering, maybe to show him that I don't hate him, even if I did for a while, but it felt a good thing to do.
Dahlia, who had up to this point been fighting sleep, finally ventured her own opinion
Or, you haven't gotten over him
Jackilyn shrugged and pressed her forehead gently against the babys, kissing it's nose before offering her back to her mother.
He talks about time plenty, maybe like he said to me, maybe it be all I need. On one hand I have folk who tell me he were wrong for me, on the other, there be those who say Ath is too. Funnily enough, some of them be the same folk. Both the lads be lovely in their own way and upset me too. All I know is, I need to visit me Ma for a day, maybe two, be where things make more sense. Right, whose for more strawberry tea, anyone?
