2 - Push It:
"Y'all are sure that this is OK babe?" It was the millionth time since the train had left Euston Mack had asked me THAT question.
"Yes," I sounded a wee bit snippy. I regretted it at once. To make amends I reached across the table's scratched Formica and took her hands in mine. "All it is, is you spending a couple of weeks at my place. I mean, come on, you've handled tougher situations before. Right?"
The train began to slow down as it approached Stafford Station. Outside the gloom was gathering as the afternoon got older.
"But it is a big deal y' know hun," Mack is usually the epitome of coolness. I'd never seen her look even slightly nervous before. But there are distinct signs of stress now. "I'm meeting your mom for the first time it's a major milestone in a relationship. If she doesn't like me things could go, what's that Brit phrase I've heard y'all use? Oh yeah, pear shaped."
"It'll be fine, trust me," I tried to put her at her ease by sounding reassuring, "mum's looking forward to meeting you."
I gazed into her blue eyes, reached across and brushed a strand of blonde hair off her face then lent forwards. Mack followed suit, and we kissed.
Mum met us in the station forecourt. I swear when she saw us come through the gate from the platform, walking hand-in-hand, she clapped her hands and gave a little bounce of joy. Mack, switched on as ever, picked up this.
"Looks like someone's glad to see you," she said quietly.
"Make that us, and more significantly, you," I said out of the side of my mouth. "I live in the same house as mum. She sees me all the time. It's your arrival she's over the moon about."
"Why?" Mack asked.
"Because you're the first woman I've been serious about since..." I paused and caught myself, "...since, you know, Rachel died."
Mum rushed forwards to greet us. She gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek then turned to Mack who offered her hand to shake. Mum dodged it and closed in for a hug.
"Did you have a good journey? Is London manic? How are you finding life over here Mackenzie? Should I call you that? I've heard Michael call you Mack on the phone, which do you prefer?"
"Mum!" I said through gritted teeth.
"Mack's just fine Mrs Madog."
"Oh please, call me Jen," she replied. "Right, I managed to find a parking spot that's only a mile away from the station, does anyone need a hand with luggage?"
As usual I had my ex-army Bergen on my back, and Mack had a posh-looking suitcase on wheels. Nothing that we couldn't handle.
"I think we can manage, what with Mike being ex-British Army and me having been a Green Beret when I was in the National Guard," Mack told mum.
"Green Beret? That's like the A Team off the telly?" Mum asked, she didn't wait for an answer, "ooh, fancy that."
"That's right Ma'am," Mack nodded.