Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 24

Matthew was just looking round his half finished kitchen and reflecting that as it took shape so he realised that his normally routined life would never be the same again. He knew that and had known that all along – but seeing the kitchen in which he would now spend lots of long and sweaty hours – somehow this copper plated it. He was snapped from his day-dreaming by his mobile sounding. He answered it and headed downstairs to the front door. Kate was standing on the sidewalk with a large black trunk beside her
“Hey there “
“Hia – no work ?” he asked seeing with relief that the trunk was on a small set of wheels -well that would get them so far but not to where the trunk was going to end up.
“Couple of days off – is she around ?”
“She was here before I was this morning  – her furniture arrived about an hour ago and I am not sure what she is now doing “
“Is Bette with her ?” Kate pushed the heavy trolley inside the ground floor of the restaurant
“Bette has classes but she will be around later just to see Tina and make sure she is okay  – that was what Bette told me yesterday. Her timetable is pretty severe but it will certainly make or break her  – I suspect the former Bette being Bette”
“And how are the doing ? Any disagreements ?”
“Tina says they are getting on really well – what have you got in the trunk ?”
“This is her college trunk – I have packed most of her clothes and there are a few other things in there “
“That must have broke your heart” he said with understanding
Kate nodded “It did – but she is an adult and she never really settled back in the apartment – mainly because she is not prepared to take any more of Emma’s bullying. So over the weekend I have been packing her trunk for her – I know that she has been sneaking home while we have been at work and taking some of her things. I want her to be settled in her first apartment – I am looking forward to seeing it”
“Well even if I say so myself its great. When I signed the lease it was just a shell – it looks so good now “
“Thank you for paying for the improvements “
“Only a few thousand dollars- some walls and plumbing  – her and Bette have done the rest. Its really cosy – she will be happy there. You will like it – its better than my first apartment after college I will tell you that “
“I have been trying to tell Emma that”
“Is she still the same ?”
“Yes “ Kate said with such finality that Matthew didn’t push the point.
“I’ll get a couple of the lads to bring the chest upstairs – you go and see her. I am waiting for some of my new toys to be delivered”
“Thanks Matt – and thanks for everything you have done for her “
“She is safe and happy – that means as much to me as it does to you and Emma”
Kate nodded and headed upstairs to find Tina’s apartment. As Matthew had told her there was a large and heavy door on the third floor that lead to the top floor apartment. It was wedged open which made Kate wonder if Tina was expecting something else to be delivered. She walked up the narrow stairs and came to another door which was also open. She looked inside and saw Tina’s apartment – the first room she saw was a huge living room with a black leather sofa and chairs. There were boxes all over the room – the walls were painted a soft pastel pink on the upper two-thirds of the walls and a dark grey on the other third – it was a nice effect and made it look warm
“Anyone home – can I come in ?”
Tina suddenly appeared from a door beyond the living room
“Mom !! “
“Can I come in ?”
“Of course you can “
Tina was wearing faded jeans and a black sweatshirt with her blonde hair tied back into a ponytail. She ran across and greeted her mother with a massive hug
“Thank you for coming over “ Tina said
“I wanted to see this apartment for myself – do I get the tour ?”
“Of course  – this is the sofa and chairs that my second dad bought me”
“He has always liked spoiling you “
Tina grinned “I have my hi-fi in one of the boxes and there are pictures to put up and I want some rugs – I cannot afford the two I have seen -maybe from my next pay cheque if I don’t go out for a couple of weeks – not that I want to “ she was talking fast which she always did when she was excited- “come through “
The kitchen was small but Kate could see it was perfectly functional – a cooker, sink and a fridge freezer as well as plenty of units – enough for Tina who was not the most adventurous cook.
“No microwave ?”
“Not at the moment but Melvin and Rosemary are getting a new one and Bette has asked them if I can have the other one – there is nothing wrong with it – we are going over there this weekend for dinner “
“Is that the first time you have seen them since the two of you started seeing one another again ?”
“Yes – Bette has been seeing her dad every week for about a month. After – well after everything that happened she punished them both – she feels that she was mean to them and she wants to make amends”
Kate smiled – she knew from Rosemary that Melvin had took losing the closeness he shared with his daughter very hard. At least one family was coming together – at the same time as her family got more divided.
“And your bedroom ?”
Tina lead her mother back into the living room and through another door  – her bedroom was big. It seemed to be more of a bedroom/ study – there was a desk was well as shelves, a wardrobe, a set of drawers and two blanket boxes.. The walls were a soft pale lilac colour which suited the room.
“This is lovely and roomy- tell me where all the furniture came from “
“I bought the bed – it came in a flat pack kit thing – Bette had to help me put it together. Someone at the station was getting rid of the wardrobe and drawers – we brought them here and one weekend Bette stripped all the old paint off them and has given them so many coats of varnish – they look great don’t they “
“They look new – they will last you a long time “
“Bette put the shelves up – I couldn’t even drill the walls – but I put the blanket boxes together myself – yes they aren’t perfect, yes I nearly slugged Bette more than once but I did them myself”
“Well done darling”