The Sandycove Sunset Swimmers by Siân O'Gorman

Author:Siân O'Gorman [O’Gorman, Siân]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

29

Loulou and I called in to see Mum and Dad. I kept checking my phone to see if Callum had called or if he was back home. I only had two hours before David’s barbecue. I wasn’t sure what to wear. Jeans, perhaps. Sandals. Nice top. Or should I go silk dress? Or perhaps my long paisley skirt?

‘I won’t be around this evening,’ I said to Loulou, as we waited for Mum to answer the door.

‘Where will you be?’

‘Just going to a party and it might be late.’

Loulou looked disappointed, just as Mum answered the door.

‘Who’s this?’ she said, smiling at Loulou.

Loulou held out her hand. ‘I’m Loulou,’ she said, ‘Cat’s lodger’s daughter.’

Mum laughed and Loulou looked confused because she didn’t know what she’d said that was so amusing.

‘That’s exactly what she is,’ I said. ‘Thank you for introducing yourself so clearly.’

‘Yes,’ said Mum, who looked a bit guilty for laughing at Loulou, ‘it’s always helpful when people explain who they are. Well, I am Annie, Cat’s mum.’

Loulou and I stepped inside and Loulou followed me through the hall.

‘Sometimes,’ Mum was saying, ‘you could meet someone and can’t remember their name or you only hear half of what they said and they don’t bother introducing themselves. So it’s very helpful when someone does.’

‘My Nanna Pat is like that,’ said Loulou, immediately comfortable with Mum, ‘she only says half-sentences, Mum says. I can understand what she is saying because I just try to imagine the invisible bits of her words.’

‘That’s exactly it,’ agreed Mum, ‘so you work out what she is saying.’

When Loulou spotted Dad sitting at the kitchen table, she said, ‘I’m Loulou, Cat’s lodger’s daughter,’ and, again, Dad laughed.

‘Well, I’m Cat’s mother’s husband,’ he said. ‘Or Cat’s father, Johnny.’ He stood up, nearly braining himself on the ceiling light which hung over the table, and held out his hand. ‘Good to meet you, Loulou, Cat’s lodger’s daughter.’

‘Good to meet you, Johnny, Cat’s mother’s husband.’ And now Loulou laughed.

‘I was just admiring your T-shirt, Loulou,’ said Mum. ‘Live Love Unicorns.’

‘They are three very important things,’ said Loulou, pulling it down at the bottom so we could all get a better look. ‘Live. That’s important. Love. Very important too. And Unicorns. Extremely and very important.’

Mum and Dad looked delighted at her. ‘Wise words, Loulou,’ said Dad.

‘I would have a T-shirt which said Tea Biscuits Sleep,’ said Mum.

Loulou nodded and then turned to Dad. ‘What would yours be?’

‘Well, Loulou,’ said Dad. ‘Perhaps it would be Lemon Drizzle Cake.’ He looked over at Mum, an eyebrow raised. ‘That’s my favourite.’

‘I buy a very good one,’ said Mum to Loulou. ‘From a bakery in the village. And do you know I used to tell people I made it myself.’

Loulou’s eyes were wide. ‘Why?’

‘Because I was embarrassed that I wasn’t a very good baker and that my sister was so good,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that silly?’

Loulou nodded again. ‘It doesn’t matter if you are not good at something because you just have to find the thing you are good at.

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