April sneered in her heart, in her past life when Lucy and Rachel would always apologise like this. She would immediately take the blame herself even when she wasn’t in the wrong.

“I am glad it’s all cleared up, now if you will excuse me.” April didn’t want to hear her insincere apology or see her false tears.

Lucy was momentarily stunned but she quickly composed herself as she could see Martin watching their interaction, “If it’s all good then give me a hug sis and stay for dinner. Mrs Kitty is cooking your favourite.”

April smiled back and dodged Lucy as she reached out to hug her, “What’s my favourite food?”

Lucy’s arms were outstretched and she dropped them at her side she was enraged but didn’t show it, “Sis just come sit down, we can chat like old times. Father wants you to stay too.”

April looked to her father, he was still standing not too far away and he seemed to be contemplating something. She wanted to stay for him but also didn’t want to be around Lucy and Rachel. Wanting to know their true motive she sighed and gave in, “Sure.”

Rachel then stood and walked towards them she hugged Lucy and smiled towards April, “Come then and sit down.”

Even though Lucy smiled at April, she could feel no warmth or earnestness from it so she just nodded. April went to her father and held his arm and walked past the dramatic duo before entering the kitchen.

This would be the first meal she would have in her family home in this life and she wanted to allow Lucy or Rachel the opportunity to fall flat on their faces. It didn’t matter which of them it was as long as they wouldn’t bother her for a while her aim would be achieved.

April lead her father to his seat at the head of the table, April then took the closest seat to his right and sat down. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rachel and Lucy stop for a moment in their tracks before continuing walking to their seats. Rachel sat beside her father in the left and Lucy sat beside her mother. 

Tom approached and set down some cutlery for April smiling cheerfully, “Now you remind me even more of your mother.” He then backed away and said, “Excuse me.”

April smiled and saw her father raise his head and take a proper look at her.

His laughter lines beside his eyes showed as he smiled in response to Tom, “Now that Tom mentions it, you could be your mothers double.”

April cheerfully smiled back at her father, she felt his heart that had disappeared shone through his eyes. 

Rachel was not happy with what was going on this evening she had no upper hand ever since April had come home. Ruining the moment between father and daughter she announced, “It’s your birthday soon and we have decided on your present but if you would like anything else do let me know.”

April saw the light dim in her father’s eyes and it was like the moment they had shared never existed, to begin with. Sighing she responded, “What present have you decided on for me?”

Mrs Kitty arrived with a trolley and laid out two meat dishes and three side dishes of vegetables on to the table. April saw her sneer at her before she returned to the kitchen.

She never knew what she did to these people for them to despise her so much. But for every little thing, they had done or would do she would pay them back a thousand times.

As April waited for the answer she served her father and herself. There was sirloin steak, lamb chops, broccoli, asparagus and chipped potatoes. This was a normal dinner here in the family home but she had never been part of it.

When her mother was alive they would cook together while waiting for her father to finish work but it was always home cooking not this extravagance on a normal day. Her mum was the definition of humble.

Rachel saw her serve her father and couldn’t help to clench her fists. She relied on the fact that the father daughter has such a bad relationship to take a firm hold of this family. Where did this sudden bond come from?

“Well… Rather than letting your mother’s paintings get dusty and just sit around the nine in your father’s study will be auctioned for Charity.”

April smiled at this, “Nine? Doesn’t my father have ten of my mothers paintings in his study?”

“Yes we will keep one of course, but we will send it to get appraised with the others.” Rachel smiled brightly.

“Oh, I see.” April took a sip of water seeing Rachels happy expression she turned to her father, “Father I, of course, do think we should give to charity but if it’s for my birthday couldn’t I take my mother’s paintings as a gift to my new residence?”

Martin looked up from his plate and glanced at April, “They are yours as much they are mine if you want to take them away then you may.”

April nodded and smiled as she started to eat happily.

Rachel and Lucy were left with their mouths open like two fish gasping for air, “But… But what about me?”

April turned her head to Lucy, “What about you? It’s my birthday and my mother’s paintings. What has it to do with you?”

“But… My final art piece, what will I do… Aghh.” Lucy was about to open her mouth to confess to wanting to use Kathleen’s painting for her final art piece but her mother pinched her leg making her cry out in pain and stop talking.

“Now that’s settled… Tom please take my mothers paintings and place them in my car please.” April announced cheerfully.

Tom hurried to carry out Aprils request he was very happy that Kathleen’s paintings would be safe now.