The family gathers

”I think it is fascinating and funny, before the professor came it was to easy and got boring” hon ler strålande mot Thomas. ”Thank you, it meams so much to hear”

Connie sträcker sig fram och rusar till Cora I håret lite.
"It's fun to be able to teach someone about art. And she is picking up fast, remind me to give you some more course books before I leave."

”Hey! Min frisyr” piper Cora förskräckt.

Connie bara skrattar. Att retas med syskon får allt att kännas lite mer som vanligt.
"Don't worry sis you are still looking beautiful. I will help you correct it before dinner if it bothers you so. You can even borrow from my hairdecorations"

Thomas må le. En glad latter. Å se jentene slik er akkurat som det pleide å være da de var små. Han ser på Aithne. "Connie always teased Cora like this. And Cora lets herself be teased."

"you can help me do the accounting when you come home on summer break, Cora. It would be great to have some help with that". Mannen som skötte räkenskaperna är ute i kriget förstås. Som alla andra.

Athine skrattar till.
"So that's why she bullies the younger girls"
"Hey I don't bully them!" Connie lägger dramatisk handen mot bröstet
"Why are you spreading lie like this about me dearest?!" Hon bryr sig inte att dölja hur nära de är. Det är ändå bara Will som inte vet och han verkar fortfarande ha "kärlek är pinsamt" allergin.

Fiona fnissar och tömmer sitt glas. Att sitta tillsammans här, lyssna på barnens retsamma prat. Åh vad hon har saknat dem alla.

Will fnyser. "You did tease though. You and Mikey used to say we were to little to do anything with you."

"We are big siblings that's part of the job," Connie ruffsar till Wills hår.
"But also you and Cora are so much younger than us. Me and Mikey is only one year apart after all."