Tea & Biscuits

The doorbell rang. Alice took a deep breath and forced her face to into gentle composure even though it belied the turmoil beneath.

'Alice! Hello!' Alan smiled at her and stepped inside the small hallway.

'Alan...' Alice murmured ' Come through...would you like tea?'

Alan glanced at his watch. The film didn't start until 7.30, they had loads of time. 'Tea would be great, thankyou. How have you been keeping?'

Alice took a deep breath and turned to face him. She liked him and he had been so helpful to her but this, she couldn't forgive him and her anger was bubbling up like a volcano.

'I know, Alan.' She spoke through gritted teeth and the force of her words hit him like a brick.

Alan recoiled, his eyes wide. They had agreed to keep everything quiet until they knew where they were going and Beth had come straight home and told her mother?

'She told you?' Alan was incredulous.

'Actually, no she didn't. She didn't need to, I am her Mother and I know my daughter, I could see it all over her face!' Alice was whispering but her voice was seething.

Alice had walked up to him and was so close to his face he could see the veins in the whites of her eyes.

'What were you thinking? I can't believe you would use her this way, after everything. You know how vulnerable she is, Alan. And she is young enough to be your own daughter!' Alice forgot to keep her voice down and was starting to shout at him.

Alan took a step back. He was shocked but he was listening to her every word.

'Is this what you had in mind all along, Alan, is it? Befriend a young damaged girl, groom her and then, just when things seem to be getting better, move in on her, satisfy your own needs, just because your own relationship isn't working out?'

Alice was pacing up and down the kitchen, her hands clenched into fists, eyes blazing at him.

'Is that what you really think, Alice?' Alan was furious. 'Because if it is, then you are guilty of mis-judging me. And I thought we were...friends!'

Alice looked at him. She hadn't expected him to respond in this way. She went to reply but he spoke first.

'This is too ridiculous for words. Do you really take me for the sort of person who would manipulate a situation for my own ends? And, no, I don't want to just use Beth for my own 'needs' as you so delicately put it. I have fallen in love with her, which by my understanding is something that cannot be planned for. Or has it been so long you have forgotten?' Alan spat the words out.

Alice was shaking.

'Alan...I....I'm sorry.' She rubbed her hand over her forehead, sighing deeply.

'So am I Alice, but I will not stand here and be accused of something so....vile...so base. I thought you knew me better than that.'
Alan was hurt. He liked Alice very much and had tried to be as supportive to her as he had to Beth. If she had slapped him in the face it would have hurt less.

They stood in the kitchen, an awkward silence between them, when Beth appeared in the doorway.

'Have you two finished?' Her voice was quiet, her face pale. Alan looked closely and could see she was trembling.

'Beth...' He went to her but she pushed him away.

'No... Alan...please.' She looked at her mother who had the grace to look and feel ashamed.
'How could you, Mum...how could you? Beth's hands were shaking and Alan could see she was holding an opened letter, gripping it tightly.

'I'm sorry Beth. I had to know...I just worry for you.' Alice was looking down at her feet.

'I'm not talking about THIS...' she waved her hand between her mother and Alan, who felt helpless and could only stand by and watch.

Beth shook the letter in front of her mother's face.

'I'm talking...' she was whispering so quietly Alan could hardly hear her ' about this....'

'Beth, sweetheart.... what is it?' Alan was desperate to help her, she was obviously upset.

Alice's eyes drifted to the letter. Her hand flew to her mouth.

'Oh my god....' she whispered.

Beth kept her eyes on her mother but replied to Alan.

'My mother has been to the prison. She went to visit Steve'

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