Visions of the Heart

Chapter Three-1

Chapter Three“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Josh and Jake, happy birthday to you!” Sophie stood in the kitchen, arms wide and face beaming, as she greeted her twin boys. “Nine years ago you were tiny, tiny babies. Now look at you, all growing up.”

Josh rubbed at sleepy eyes, while Jake hitched up the trousers of his too large pyjamas.

The kitchen floor was covered with presents, cards, brightly coloured streamers and shiny balloons which floated about and drove the dogs into a complete tizz.

“Stop that!” Sophie tapped the Labrador's shiny snout as he skittered around with excitement.

“This is awesome,” Josh decided, as he fell to his knees and began inspecting tags, “even better than Christmas. Here,” he handed a large rectangle to his younger brother by ten minutes.

Jake, the quieter twin shook the gift, before tearing the paper off and adding it to the growing heap in the centre of the room.

“Wowee,” he exclaimed, as he gazed in delight at the limited edition Star Wars Lego set.

There was a creak from the door that had the dogs bounding over to investigate. Ryan O'Neill staggered into the kitchen, stretching a muscular torso, hips and legs covered by a snugly fit pair of pyjamas bottoms.

“Happy birthday lads,” he boomed.

“Dad, dad. Look, a skateboard,” Josh skidded towards him, grinning with delight.

“Cool,” Ryan ruffled his hair then glanced at Sophie, “any coffee on the go?”

“Just made some Mr O'Neill,” Heidi their housekeeper interjected, as she stumbled out of the utility, carrying an armful of laundry.

“Cheers love,” he winked playfully, causing a red flush to stain the older lady's cheeks.

“Here, let me,” Heidi dumped the freshly washed clothes into the ironing basket, before hurrying across to pour Ryan's coffee, just as he liked it.

“The club has been on the phone,” Sophie whispered, drawing Ryan away from the boys, “something about a commitment that you made to open a charity fun day?”

“Oh man,” Ryan clamped his hand across his mouth, “I totally forgot. Yeah, I promised them babes.”

“It's your sons' birthday,” hissed Sophie, “how could you forget?”

“It's for charity,” Ryan protested, taking a loud slurp of coffee, “it won't take long babe. Just a quick speech and maybe a few autographs, I'll be back in a flash and Del can come with me, keep the crowds in order.”

Sophie grimaced at the mention of 'Del', aka Derek, their multi-talented gardener. He was a decent enough bloke, but whose loyalty to Ryan could be rather overbearing at times. Sophie felt she was constantly vying for Ryan's attention, whenever Del was around.

“He's our gardener, not your bodyguard,” Sophie shook her head and sighed with resignation. “Make sure you're not long then, I need you back home to help supervise things.”

“I'll be super speedy. I'm doing it for the disadvantaged kids honey,” Ryan's voice took on a whining tone, his eyes wide, looking for sympathy. Sophie softened, he knew how much she loved children.

“Fair enough,” she mumbled, as he held her in a bear like vice and began nibbling her ear.

Inwardly she was fretting over all the organising that today's magnificent party had entailed. Her stomach was flipping with worry and she had been up half the night planning what to do if the weather turned bad. Maybe a trip to the Wacky Warehouse or McDonalds would have been more sensible, Sophie surmised. Then a glance out of the window showed the promise of a sunny day, which lifted her spirits and allayed the pangs of creeping doubt. Hopefully it would be just perfect for all the outdoor activities which she had planned. And Jules was coming; funny, sweet, kind Juliette, her university buddy and confidante. That alone was enough to instil happiness and excitement.

“Wowzers Mom, Dad, look, a candyfloss machine from uncle Del.”

Sophie mustered a grin, while silently cursing the sugar overloaded, rotten teeth inducing present. Maybe she could place it into strategic hiding, somewhere dark and cobwebby that the twins would be too frightened to search. No such luck, they were slitting open the box in excitement and ferreting around for instructions.

“Can we have candyfloss for breakfast…please?”

“Urm, er,” Sophie tried not to be swayed by two cherubic, upturned faces.

“There's a candyfloss machine!” She erupted with glee, “coming later, when the party starts.”

“Awesome,” both boys shouted in sync.

“I'll make some homemade pancakes for you,” Heidi said with a fond look their way, “you can have syrup and lemon juice with them, your favourite.” Sophie threw her housekeeper a smile of gratitude.

“I love candyfloss,” Ryan high fived them and Sophie wondered who really was the biggest kid.

“Mr O'Neill, what about your figure?” Heidi tutted good naturedly.

“What this?” He lifted his t-shirt to reveal a set of impressive pectorals, “all paid for by Chattlesbury FC. They're mega firm, would you like a feel?”

Heidi had the grace to blush, while looking anxiously at Sophie.

“Take no notice of him,” Sophie laughed, with a roll of her eyes, “it takes him hours in the gym to look that way.”

“Hey, hey, I'm a natural beauty!” With a cheeky wink, Ryan disappeared up the stairs to get ready, with the dogs chasing and yelping after him.

“Well, I suppose we had better tidy up,” Sophie surveyed the wrapping paper debris and began stuffing it into black refuse sacks.

“How many gifts have you had?” Heidi asked, as Josh and Jake finally opened the remaining parcels.

“Twenty-seven! Each!” Josh cried triumphantly.

“Oh my, you are lucky, lucky boys,” Heidi commented.

Sophie knew that their housekeeper adored the boys and had not intended to chastise them, but still, Sophie felt irked. Once again she had gone completely over the top, it was the same for every birthday and Christmas. There were way too many and there was still more to come.

“I forgot how many I had bought,” Sophie muttered with embarrassment.

Heidi shrugged, “If you can afford it why not. They are lovely boys Mrs O'Neill, so polite and kind, you don't need to how you say, expose?”

“Explain,” Sophie corrected, “thank you.”

While the boys grappled with new skateboards and Heidi started on the washing up, Sophie consulted her to-do lists. She pondered on how many children would be coming today. Truthfully she had lost count. There was the whole of Josh and Jake's class for a start, then a large group of the younger village kids were expected, as well as a few moody teenagers. She also suspected that Ryan had been inviting some of his footballer buddies, along with their families. Oh well, she sighed, better just get on with it. The doorbell chimed and Sophie hurried through to the hallway. Sophie's mom, Yvonne, stood on the doorstep, posing in a long, fur, winter coat, her eyes shielded by oval sunglasses.

“Morning babes,” she air kissed her daughter's cheeks, “are you sure it's a good idea to have an outdoor party? It's blooming cold.”

Sophie tutted at her mother's air of negativity, “of course I'm sure. Look, it's going to be a beautiful day.” She pointed at a bright, rising sun, “besides, I have fifty rain macs on loan from the Disney store, just in case.”

“What about the grown-ups?” Yvonne persisted, “I've just had my hair styled.”

“There's an adult tent for us all to shelter in,” bit back Sophie, “come in and see your grandchildren.”

They traipsed back into the kitchen, where the twins paused their game of fling the frisbee, to catapult themselves instead at their Nan.

“Woah!” Yvonne laughed, hugging them tight, “darlings, I have an extra special surprise for you.” She clapped her hands in delight, “come with me. You too.” She winked at a puzzled Sophie, then took the boys hands, leading them outside to the huge driveway. There was nothing there, except for a small selection of gleaming sports cars.

“We're ready,” Yvonne yelled.

The rumbling sound of an engine could be heard emanating from behind the large hedge, then two long haired youths appeared, driving what looked like quad bikes.

“Wh-what?” Sophie stared open mouthed, as they performed circles on the drive, before coming to rest in front of Josh and Jake.

“Happy birthday darlings,” Yvonne drawled, with a proud smile, “go on, have a go, they're yours now.” Yvonne looked as if she were going to explode with excitement.

Josh and Jake whooped with delight, flinging themselves at the throbbing machines.

“Helmets,” screeched Sophie, as she clutched her throat with worry. The two youths duly plonked safety headgear on the twins, strapping them securely and giving them a pep talk on the basic mechanics of the bikes. Then they were off, careering around the drive, skidding and twisting, spluttering mud and gravel everywhere.

“I feel faint,” Sophie mumbled.

“What's wrong with you. It's an excellent present, you should be pleased,” Yvonne sniffed, “don't be such a killjoy.”

Sophie turned on her mother, eyes blazing, “you should have told me. Aren't they a little young for quad bikes? Besides the safety implications, they must have cost a fortune. It's too much Mom.”

“Bah!” Yvonne turned her nose up, “the man in the shop said they're all the rage now and it's my inheritance money, so I can do whatever I like with it.” Sophie had almost forgotten that her mom was loaded and had never worked a day in her life. Money was like a turned on tap for the Fletchers, ever flowing and taken a lot for granted.

“Make sure you're careful,” Sophie yelled, as Josh and Jake disappeared out the drive, to begin spinning around the cul-de-sac.

“Don't worry Mrs O'Neill, we'll watch them,” the gangly youth and his friend lumbered after them, shouting 'brakes' and 'slow down'.

Sophie spent the next half hour peering after them, gasping each time they bounced off the kerb or narrowly missed a tree trunk. There were no cars parked in the street, of that Sophie was thankful, but still, her nails dug into her palm each time they manoeuvred a tricky bend.

“Best present ever,” chirruped Jake, as he pulled to a shuddering stop, almost flattening his nan's toes.

Sophie breathed a shaky sigh of relief, as she snatched the keys from the ignition, “that's enough for today boys.”

Josh jumped from the vehicle, high kicking with excitement, “wow, thanks Nan. Totally awesome!”

Ryan had surfaced from his male beauty administrations, looking gorgeous and smelling like a male perfume counter. His verdict on the quad bikes was predictably positive.

“Me and you later Del eh?” He slapped the gardeners back.

“You're on!” Del replied, as he climbed into Ryan's new Audi R8.

“See you later baby,” Ryan hugged Sophie tightly, his hands lingering over her buttocks.

“Don't be long,” warned Sophie, “or I'll send Mom after you.”

Ryan chucked her under the chin, “it's a promise.”

Then with a salacious wink he was gone, zooming away, sunglasses snapped firmly in place, leaving a trail of billowing dust.

Sophie glanced at her Mom and let out a resigned sigh, “it is a fantastic present, thank you. Now come on, you can help me prepare for the kid's party of the century and boy have we got a lot to do.”

* * *

By early afternoon the garden had been transformed into every child's fantasy; a world of wonder and delight. Sophie and Yvonne had struggled to open the double gates which led into the back garden, allowing a fleet of brightly painted vans to set up position near the patio. There were vehicles selling all sorts of delicious, child friendly foods: ice-cream in an assortment of flavours, candyfloss and sweets, hot dogs and burgers, chips and pizza.

“The kids are going to love this,” Yvonne commented, as they watched them preparing their counters.

“It's not very healthy,” conceded a worried Sophie, “but look, there is a jacket potato van.”

“I think that's more for the adults,” laughed Yvonne, “don't stress honey, it's just for one day, they can have salad for the rest of the week.”

Then came the bouncy castle, the crazy golf, the face painters and the balloon artists. The last people to arrive were the circus folk – clowns, acrobats, jugglers and extremely tall men walking on stilts. Josh and Jake tore around the huge garden, not sure what to do first.