Friday Flash

Friday Flash Fiction: The best pie in the world

She bent down and peered through the murky glass. She could just see the top of the pie rising nicely. The smell of the baking pastry had started to fill the kitchen, she sucked it in as she slowly straightened up again and went to the window. The great-grandchildren were running around on the grass. It was good to see the lawn being trampled again.

“Something smells good,” she turned to see her youngest grandson grinning from the doorway.

She laughed and hobbled over to him, reaching up to cup his face in her hands and kiss him tenderly. “Mel! It’s good to see you!” she said and he squeezed her tight.

“And you Nana, and you. How’re you doing these days?”

“Bit slower, but still running just fine,” she said, heading for the washing up. He stopped her and picked up the rubber gloves himself.

“I’ll do this Nana. What smells so good?”

“Blackberry and apple pie. Your little sister’s here already.”

He peered out the window as the sink filled with water. “She’s had more kids again?!”

“Yes.”

She watched him frown and shake his head. “They’re all so damn ugly,” he muttered and she chuckled. She was getting old, but her hearing was still good.

“How’s work?” she asked, easing herself into one of the wooden chairs around the kitchen table.

“Hellish,” he sighed, swirling the soap suds in the water. “I’m overworked and unappreciated.”

“It’s better than being bored,” she said. “You’d only be miserable without the family business.”

“Mmm,” he grunted. “Is he here yet?”

She almost pretended not to know who he meant, but decided against it. “Not yet. Are you two still bickering?”

Mel scowled. “He’s a stubborn idiot. Why doesn’t he just apologise? We’re all suffering because of what he did.”

“Suffering?” Nana scoffed. “You all have good jobs and respect. That’s more than a lot of people have these days. Your brother will come round, he’s just a little sore that’s all.”

“Sore? Sulking more like,” Mel pouted and Nana saw the child in him again. He said nothing more until all of the dishes were sparkling and dripping merrily on the drying rack. “I’d better go say hi to the monsters,” he muttered, coins jangling in his pockets as he left.

She heard a brief exchange between him and his little sister and then she appeared at the door.

“Hi Nana,” she said, flopping into one of the chairs and fanning herself with her straw hat. “Hot out there.”

Nana nodded, ignoring the way the chair creaked, and pointed at the plums in the bowl. “Help yourself.”

“I bet he was bitching about me having more kids. I could see it all over his face.” The plum juice ran down her chin. A screech from the garden and then a terrible wailing made her eyes roll. “I’d better get back out there,” she said, hauling her bulk back onto her feet.

Nana wasn’t alone in the kitchen for long. The youngest of her grand-daughters pushed the screen door open and slipped inside quietly, as if hoping that the others in the garden wouldn’t notice her arrival.

“Hello Nana,” she said and pecked her on the cheek. She sniffed and wrinkled her nose just enough for her grandmother to notice.

“You’ve lost weight,” she replied, eying her thin frame critically.

She shrugged. “I watch people stuffing their faces day in, day out. I just don’t have an appetite any more. That’s apple and blackberry pie, isn’t it?” She sighed when Nana nodded. “I think I’ll pass. I’d better go and say hi, they’ll only think I’m ignoring them.”

Nana watched her leave and twisted the edge of her apron with worry. She checked on the pie again. It was browning at the edge of the crimped rim.

“Nana?”

She jumped, startled by the soft voice behind her. She turned to see her favourite grandchild smiling shyly by the table, positioned so that he wouldn’t be seen from the garden. She laughed and hurried over to embrace him. “You startled me! Why are you sneaking around like that?”

He shrugged, shuffled back. “They’re all here, aren’t they?”

She nodded. “Why don’t you go and tell them the pie is nearly ready?”

“Can’t you do it Nana?”

“You’ll have to face them sooner or later. Is it really that bad?”

The way he looked down at his shoes, how it made his blond curls hang down and bounce gently, tugged at her breast.

“They all hate me Nana. They don’t understand how hard it is to be the one in charge. They all want special treatment but I can’t keep everyone happy. There’s work to be done, simple as that. Just because they’re my family doesn’t mean they get to slack off.”

She caught hold of his hands, still as soft as she remembered. “Poor darling, there’s a lot on your shoulders, I know. How’s your back?”

“Still sore. I don’t think it’ll ever heal.”

“I can’t do anything about work, or your back darling, but I can cook a mean pie. Come on now, let’s go out there together. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to see you.” She led him outside, out onto the lawn where the rest of the family were either lounging or squabbling. “Look everyone!” she said, squeezing his trembling hand tight. “Lucifer’s here!”