Did you offend him?

“Ding” Frank’s phone lighted up with a message.

Sarah reached out to get the Frank’s phone murmuring “Who doesn’t know today is Saturday”

Frank smiled as he got up and kissed her forehead lovingly “Sleep! I’ll get it”.

He sat up, reached over, picked his phone and read the message.

“Who is it?” Sarah’s sleepy voice came from under the pillow.

“Three guesses” Frank smiled

“There’s only one person who is sleepless right now, do I need three guesses? Sarah sat up with a twisted smile and half opened eyes.

“Bingo!”

“What’s it about?”

“We are volunteering at the Appleton estate tonight”

“Doesn’t he have to check if we are free?” Sarah raised her eyebrows and added with a nonchalant expression “Between the three of you, you probably don’t even know the word ‘politeness’ exists do you?”

Frank hugged her from behind “Honey, you knew what you were getting into. Don’t you think you’re complaining 25 years too late?”

Sarah “”

‘Ding’ Dana’s phone received a message from Mrs Appleton

“We have a few more than usual volunteering today, so it’s fine to start a little later say 5pm?- Auntie Bess”

“Dana … Dana … Are you up?” Lara knocked on Dana’s door and turned the handle. She knew Dana liked to sleep in on weekends but because she had just received Auntie Bess’s message she knew Dana would have too and the alert notification would have woken her.

“Go away” Dana threw a pillow at Lara as she entered.

“Come on sleepy head! It's 10 already. I’ve made you coffee and breakfast”

“10 minutes” Dana pleaded

“Nope… not a second more” Lara mercilessly began tickling Dana.

“Ah… ha…ha...ah….alright! I’ll get up” Dana sat with a scrunched up face.

“If I don’t see you in the lounge in 15 mins, we’re taking a shower together” Lara threatened as she walked out. This one would always work as she knew how shy Dana was.

Dana quickly ran to bathroom to clean up and take a shower. Although she knew Lara was just threatening, she was not game enough to call her bluff!

Dana came out and sat limply at the dining table “When will I be able to teach you the joys of sleeping in?” She sighed and pouted.

Lara winked “Same here… I was just thinking when would I ever get you to get up at the break of dawn and do yoga with me?”

“So, what are your plans for the day?” Dana asked as she eat her pancakes.

“I was thinking of going shopping… you coming?”

“Nope… I am going to binge watch all the soaps I have missed for the last 4 weeks”

Lara scrunched her face… she didn’t want to go alone. While she was thinking how to entice Dana, Dana licked her fingers and smacked her lips finishing her breakfast “Lara, someday you’ll make a fine mom and an excellent wife”

“I think I missed the boat on being a mom” she sighed “As far as wife goes, I am tired of scum. I guess I’ll just rot serving you”

“Ha…ha..ha” Both of them burst out laughing.

Lara couldn’t come up with a good enticement and ended up binge watching with Dana till 4. They quickly tidied up and dressed in matching outfits. The first few times at the Appleton’s was a pleasant accident, as they weren’t staying together and everyone would tease them “twinsies” Later on… the name seemed catchy and they started coordinating outfits… Like today, Dana wore a wine red top with a light blue jumpsuit and Lara wore a light blue top with a wine red jumpsuit.

They arrived at the back of the manor a little short of 5pm. Dana gave Mrs Appleton a hug “Auntie Bess”

Mrs Appleton was warm person and she hugged Dana tightly “Dear girl!”

Lara greeted her with a hug as well and whispered in Mrs Appleton’s ears “Don’t hug me tight, my body parts might pop!”

“Ha….ha…ha” The three women burst out laughing attracting the attention of the rest of the groups gathered in the back area. Ben, Frank, Sarah and Shadow were clustered near the walnut tree close to the kitchen door as they had a good view of everyone entering the back area.

Mrs Appleton clapped her hands “Gather round… lets divide the chores before we get stuck in; the guests will arrive at 7pm”

Everyone gathered around, Ben’s eye never leaving Dana.

“We have ingredients for a pasta bolognaise, chicken roast and salads. Other than our kids, we have 50 people who usually eat here. Our dining table and cutlery allows us to serve 20 in one round.”

“You lads, are you okay to take care of the seating through the night?” Mrs Appleton looked at a group for 4 university students.

“Yes” they replied with enthusiasm

“Daniel and Alfred, you guide them”

“Okay dokie” Daniel whistled as smiled towards Dana and Lara. Alfred nodded as he continued to chat with the group of university students

“Lara, you’re in charge of making pasta and Dana, you take care of the Bolognaise sauce”

“Aye…aye” Lara and Dana saluted playfully.

“Lara will need 2 helpers” Mrs Appleton looked for volunteers. Frank and Sarah raised their hand.

“Dana will need one” Daniel and Ben raised their hands at the same time. Mrs Appleton looked at the two of them with scrunched up eyebrows, and then pointed at Ben and asked “Do you know how to prepare and roast chicken?”

“Nope, but I can follow instructions” Ben replied righteously

“Puchi…” Frank, Sarah and Shadow burst out laughing.

“Don’t you laugh… we can all learn something new every day” Mrs Appleton encouraged; It didn’t look like she was talking to a bunch of 50 year olds; they were all young compared to her!

She turned back at Ben “You go with Dana”

Ben nodded with a smile. For once he was grateful for being ignorant.

“Daniel, you take care of the chicken. Would Jessica and Payne, do? Or do you need more help?”

Daniel looked at Ben; a glint of envy passed through his eyes but he quickly covered up and said lightly “That’ll do. If I need more hands I will just pull from groups that are free”

“Cyril, you take care of the salads; do you want Alfred to give you a hand”

“No … no … it’s just salads. I’ll be fine!” Cyril hurriedly refused.

“You guys introduce yourself while the kitchen opens” After distributing all the chores, Mrs Appleton rushed off to prepare desert.

“Is it always this busy?” One of the university students next to Dana asked curiously

“More or less” Dana replied with a smile.

“Are there always these many people to help?” Another asked in concern

“Hur..Hur…This is a good day. There’s 8 of you. We’ve done it with just me, Cyril, Dan, Jessica, Payne, Lara and Dana. We’re repeat offenders” Alfred laughed heartily.

“Just the seven of you? How did you manage? Sarah asked curiously.

“Oh, we started at 2pm and probably stayed back till 10… aye!” Daniel replied and reached his hand to pat Dana’s shoulder with a smile.

Dana shook her head in agreement while flinching sideways to avoid Daniel’s hand and added “The guests are well behaved as well; they waited patiently for their turn”.

Although these were subtle movements, it was not missed by Ben and team.

“We will come from now on when Uni is in session and when there is no exams” One of the uni students volunteered.

“Awesome, the more the merrier” Lara clapped her hands.

Everyone wandered off to greet Mr Appleton as he walked in carrying a sack of potatoes along with their gardener.

Seeing all the youngsters, Mr Appleton’s face widened into a bright smile and started chatting with them as they broke into small groups. Ben was about to walk over to Dana’s side when he was stopped-

“My god! Are you Adam’s boy?” Mr Appleton looked at Ben in shock.

Ben looked back at Mr Appleton with a similar expression.

“Adam Adalase… are you Adam’s boy? Mr Appleton repeated himself excitedly.

“Yes” Ben walked closer to Mr Appleton a little puzzled. He was sure he’d never met the Appletons.

“You look exactly like him… from the same mold” Mr Appleton shook his head, he eyes narrowed in joy “Is he well? We … we were best mates in University. I was his best man at your parents wedding…”Mr Appleton carried on reminiscing grinning from ear to ear.

“Dad, he’s no more” Ben responded in a low voice

“Huh? What?” Mr Appleton looked at Ben like he received a big shock, just a minute ago he was excited to meet his best friend’s son and now….

Both of them stared at each other not knowing how to progress the conversation.

Cyril walked over to Daniel’s side and started chatting; she didn’t want to go over to Dana’s side as Alfred was there. After their awkward situation last time, she wanted to stay far away as possible. Daniel chatted with Cyril while he watched Dana.

Dana and Lara politely excused themselves from the group and started to take the potatoes to the washing area outside. Watching the two ladies quietly carrying the potato sack, Shadow walked up and politely offered “Can I help carry them?”

“Sure” Lara smiled as she handed one end of the sack

“You can let go as well… this is nothing” Shadow looked at Dana

“Are you sure?” Dana asked as she lightly let go of the sack.

They chatted non-sense all the way to the tap. Shadow helped them empty the potatoes into the large vessel under the tap.

“Erh!” He’s really creepy” Lara squirmed.

Shadow felt their conversation was perhaps interesting to Boss and so quietly pulled out his phone and turned on the recorded function before putting it back.

“Well, at least he knows his limits with us” Dana sighed.

“Why is Cyril not coming over? She usually clubs with us.” Lara had a quizzical expression.

“Maybe Alfred might not have been polite last week” Dana calmly analyzed.

“You mean…” Lara shrieked and Dana quickly covered her mouth.

This attracted everyone’s attention momentarily. Ben saw Shadow was with them and felt relieved.

“Ok… ok…. You need to tell me when we get back” Lara calmed down and alerted Dana “Oh and by the way, Danny boy is heading this way”

“Your cup of tea. You deal with him, he makes me nauseous” Dana moved to Lara’s left side making a puking expression and squatted down to wash the potatoes handing clean ones over to Lara for putting them in the strainer. Realizing Shadow just saw their exchange, Dana smiled mischievously and shrugged at him. Shadow mimed zipping his mouth; he felt that the Boss’s woman was cute when he saw her expression.

“Ladies!” Daniel greeted them as he stood beside them staring at Dana’s back.

“Hi Daniel!” Both of them wished in unison. Daniel squatted beside Dana seeing that she had no intention of turning back.

“Its Dan for you guys. We are practically family”

Dana stood up with a handful of potatoes “Your turn” and took Lara’s position.

Lara squatted down reversing roles with Dana.

“Do you need a hand?” Dan offered still not giving up.

“Nope! We are fine and this lad’s here as well. You help the Uni kids, introduce them to the arrangements before the dining area opens.” Lara laughed lightly.

Dan had no other option other than getting up and said with an amiable smile towards Dana “Call me if you need a hand.”

Dana nodded politely.

“Puchi…” Lara burst out laughing after looking at Dana’s irritated face. She stood up with the last potatoes and rubbed her wet finger on Dana’s nose.

“YUCK!!”

“What’s with the long face?” Lara smiled teasingly.

“He still hasn’t come out of his diapers and wants to flirt???” Dana gritted her teeth.

Lara laughed it off and humored “He’s persistent, you should give him that!”

“Persistent my foot!” Dana signed in annoyance. The two ladies chatted as they forgot about Shadow’s existence nearby.

“Dana, I guess we can add one more admirer to our list” Lara announced playfully

“We… Oh please! Take me off the list. I am just basking in your glory” Dana teased

“Hymph! We will know the truth if we take a census here” Lara retorted before asking seriously “Dana, I am serious do you know that handsome chap in blue?”

“Who?” Dana looked over in the direction Lara guided with her eyes. “Isn’t that the chap who’s helping with the sauce?”

“No… not about the saucing. He’s been looking at us since we came without blinking” Lara whispered.

‘Not you, just Ms. Williams’ Shadow silently retorted in his heart.

“Maybe he’s just looking in this direction, not at us. Stop being paranoid” Dana responded firmly

“No, I am sure. He was staring at us from the time we came and we changed positions a few times… don’t tell me his direction of sight changed coincidentally every single time. Only a fool would believe in that coincidence” Lara retorted.

Dana looked at Ben and then at Lara quizzically “God! Did you offend him?”

“No, I swear!” Lara pinched her neck with her thumb and index finger “But I am sure I have seen him before”

Dana looked at Lara and then towards Ben “How come I don’t remember? Might be an acquaintance from your work assignments”

“No… no… I just can’t put my finger on it” Lara insisted

“Well, just ask him later. Won't that solve the problem?” Dana suggested as a matter-of –fact.

“Um..” Lara nodded still thinking with wrinkled eyebrows

The kitchen are opened up and Mrs Appleton apologized “Sorry … sorry for wasting time … the keys to the doors, one of the children hid it”

Everyone filed in as they laughed.