Friendly Visit

By Beej and Atonia

Toni stopped by The Greenery and picked up a couple of pretty hanging plant gardens. She was going visiting today and touch base with her neighbors. She’d gotten over her momentary embarrassment after returning from the states with Travis and moving in with him. So far everyone she’d met had been friendly and glad to see her.

She parked her car at Ceri’s and took the baskets out of the trunk and walked up to the door and rang the bell.

"I'll get it," Bron called as the doorbell rang.

Ceri was busy kneading bread dough and was grateful to her sister. "Thanks, sis. Show whoever it is into the lounge-room while I get the dough in the tins and I'll be right with you."

Bron smiled as she looked back at her sister, the characteristic flour on the tip of her nose. She was still smiling as she opened the door. Seeing who was standing there made her smile even broader. "Toni!! How wonderful to see you. Come on in. Ceri's in the kitchen, but will join us as soon as she gets the bread ready for the oven." Leading Toni into the lounge-room she called out to her twin, "Ceri, hurry up, you'll never guess who's come visiting."

 “Oh it’s good to see you too, Bron,” Toni put the baskets down at the doorway and came into the lounge, “Ooo... homemade bread sounds yummy. I buy my homemade bread these days at Lucy’s - if Tomalee isn’t baking. You know I’m about to turn that man of yours loose at the clinic; he’s my last patient.”

"I'm sure Ceri will make sure you don't go home without a fresh loaf, they won't take too long to cook. That's wonderful news about Ed, but hang on though, what do you mean he's your last patient? You're not leaving are you?"

Before Toni could answer the worried looking Bron, Ceri came in shaking her hair free of the last pins that had been holding it up as she cooked. "Toni!" she squealed, "How wonderful to see you. Where have you been hiding yourself, we've missed seeing you around."

 “Hi Ceri,” Toni gave her a hug, “I’ve been pretty busy learning my new surroundings and no Bron, I’m not going anywhere but I’m not working at the clinic any longer. I’ve hired two new people because Travis really didn’t want me to work and not be able to travel with him. So this is going to work out for us. And besides…I’m building a nest…we’re going to have a baby!” Toni clapped her hands with joy.

The twins screamed in stereo at Toni's wonderful news, and fought to be the first one to give her a hug. "That's fantastic news, girlfriend. What a wonderful father the little one is going to have, Travis seems so caring. Ed will be pleased that you're hanging on at the clinic until you've finished with him. I don't think there's any way I could get him to go to a stranger; you know what he's like."
 

 Ceri took her time to hug Toni before rushing back out to the kitchen to get them all a nice cool lemonade. "Try this, Toni. I've just made it so I hope it's not too fierce, and you must take some bread back with you; give Travis a treat. I'm making extra right now because we have Terry staying, so there's more than enough for you as well."
 

 “Thank you both so much, Travis would love some bread… you said Terry is staying with you, I’m  a little out of the loop may I ask why is something wrong?” From the looks on their faces she knew something was terribly wrong. 
 

 The twins sat on the sofa opposite Toni and looked at each other before speaking. Ceri took a deep breath, let it out, then breathed in again. "We know you're not a gossip so we can tell you as we know it won't go any further. Of course it's okay to talk to Travis as we know he can be tight lipped when required. It's all about M. She went off to join Medicine Sans Frontiers, and Terry recently got news from his partner, Dino, that the group of medics M was with have been taken hostage." Ceri stopped as tears filled her eyes.
 

 "Terry flew out, but when he saw the state of the last known encampment he was physically sick and Dino told him that there was no way he was going to let Terry take part in the negotiations or rescue. He was sent home with an escort. He called us over and when we got there he'd thrown a beautiful piece of Waterford Crystal at a huge wall mirror. We decided there and then that we weren't going to let him stay in that huge house on his own, especially as M chose it. There are too many reminders everywhere you look," Bron continued.
 

 Ceri took up the story. "The worst thing is that there have been no ransom demands as yet, so it's looking really bad. Terry hasn't really spoken too much, he still needs to tell Bridgid and Marie, but when he and Max got back from picking up some of his things, he said he couldn't face going back to that house...ever. So he's our houseguest for as long as he needs to be. It's a joy to look after him, but I know that he doesn't want to be a burden and is looking around for a smaller place to rent or buy."
 

 Toni was shocked, “Oh my God, I didn’t know what a terrible thing to happen, she was so helpful when I opened my clinic, referring patients. This is just awful and poor Terry he must be in a state.” Toni wiped her face. “It may be too soon but I want to make the offer now, you know I have that lovely house sitting empty and it’s not good for a house to sit empty, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have live there than Terry. He’s more than welcome to stay there as long as he wants.
 

 “I can’t imagine what he must be going through. I’m so sorry for you both and of course I won’t say anything but I’d like to tell Travis. He feels very much a part of this community and cares about his neighbors.”
 

 "Oh, Toni; we didn't mean to upset you. Yes, of course you should talk to Travis about it. He seems to be very community minded, a wonderful addition to The Glen; and what a wonderful offer to Terry. We'll give him a few days and then let him know. I dare say he'll want to come over to speak with you and Travis about it," Bron said.
 

 "Now," Ceri cut in, "Dry your eyes and I'll put the kettle on. I think we all deserve a nice cuppa and a double chocolate muffin, care of Lucy's."

Toni smiled and dabbed at her eyes, “A cuppa sounds wonderful and Lucy’s muffins are always welcome. We stopped by there the other day and bagged up a lot of goodies. Travis’s father is busy helping to build the butcher shop right across the corner from her bakery. I think sometimes that man should have been a carpenter.”
 

Her thoughts went back to her empty house again, “I’m sure if there are any renovations that  need doing at my house, Bill would be happy to help, he just finished his own house down below ours and I’m talking to Travis about knocking out walls to turn one of the bedrooms into a nursery. So much to think about now with the baby on the way.”
 

"We can't wait for the shop to open, especially as the beef wll be from Travis' station. It's such a bind having to drive into Coffs to get meat to stock the freezer. It must be great to have a handyman as your soon to be father-in-law. Has Travis inherited any of his dad's skills? I shouldn't think any work needs doing at your old place. Didn't you do it all out not too long ago? I don't think Terry would need anything fancy. As long as everything works he'll be right."
 

 “Everything worked when I left but you know the house has been empty for a few months. Travis is pretty handy, he knows what to do with a tool box.” Toni sighed, “the father-in-law bit has to wait until next summer. We do plan to marry after our divorces are final it’s something we both want and it’s important to Travis especially since we’ll have the little one by then.”
 

"We were all sorry you and Richie didn't work out. You both seemed so happy, but seeing you now, you look radiant and fulfilled. Sorry our divorce laws down here are so long winded, but the time will go quicker than you know, then The Glen will have another wedding to look forward to, and perhaps you can combine it with a Christening too," Bron smiled.
 

"Yes, and thanks again for offering Terry the house. We'll let him know to come see you and Travis about it when he's ready," Ceri added.
 

  "Thank you both for being good friends and for the tea and muffins, I should run I've another stop to make on the way home. When Terry is ready have him call and we can meet him out there to look at the house."
 

  "Thanks again about the house, Toni. We'll let Terry decide when he's ready to call you; and you must visit again soon, and bring Travis with you next time." Ceri said, standing up to fetch a couple of cooling loaves for Toni to take home.

"Yes, Toni. Don't be a stranger," Bron added. "If you don't get a reply here, pop on down to our place by the lake, Bron is often there n her studio. Ed and I would love to show you our home. You and Travis will always be welcome, both here and at my place."

Ceri came back in with the bread, wrapped up in crisp white tissue paper, and handed them to Toni. The twins walked her to the door and gave her a hug and a kiss before she walked to her car.
 

 "Thanks so much we'll do that, I'd love to see your home Bron. Oh bread, Travis will love this." Toni opened her car door and placed the bread on the seat. "I brought you both a little something," She smiled and handed them the flower baskets. "Give my love to your others." She waved and settled behind the wheel wondering if she would make it home without tearing into one of those fragrant loaves.