Page 98 of Cookout Carnage
‘Yes, we’re going for an English country garden theme this time. Lots of pink.’
Tristan took the larger gift bag and gave it to Clara. ‘I brought these for you. They might give you some ideas.’
Clara looked flustered. ‘Oh, thank you, Tristan.’ Sherilyn leaned forward to see what he had bought as Clara pulled out three large hardback books.
‘Out of the Blueis by Tricia Guild. It’s photos from fifty years of her design company. It’s signed by the author,’ explained Tris.
‘Oh my,’ replied Clara, looking inside the book. ‘To Mrs. Boden, may this inspire your creativity. Best wishes, Tricia Guild.’
If Sherilyn felt bad before, her self-loathing had reached new depths.
‘The second book is a bit of fun. It’s photographs from fourteen eccentric English homes so you can see how off the wall our style can be. The third one is an in-depth look at the colour wheel and its effects on interiors. It’s by a famous paint company in the UK.’
Clara was leafing through them, her eyes wide. ‘Oh, these are so fine. Look at this, Emmett. Ain’t that fancy?’
Emmett peered over her shoulder. ‘Well, I never.’
Tristan passed a smaller gift bag across the table to him. ‘Sherilyn told me you were into cars. I hope you like it.’
Emmett lifted out a small package, wrapped in tissue paper, and opened it up. Inside was a car hood ornament of a beautifully sculpted eagle. The metal was shining but slightly tarnished in parts.
‘It’s a Chevrolet Eagle from 1931,’ said Tristan.
‘Oh my,’ replied Emmett.
Sherilyn dug her nails into her thighs. How much money and time had Tristan spent on these gifts? He couldn’t have chosen more perfect presents for her parents. Only Clara and Emmett weren’t her parents.
‘Thank you, son,’ replied Emmett, carefully wrapping the ornament back up. ‘That is real thoughtful of you.’
‘I’ve also got a little something for Wiener,’ Tris continued. ‘But I didn’t know when I would have the opportunity to meet the most famous member of the Boden household.’
‘We’ll bring him over to your house tomorrow morning before the parade,’ said Sherilyn quickly.
Amy appeared. ‘Are y’all ready to order? Today our specials are roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, and cream tea with English muffins. To drink we have something called ‘builder’s tea’.’
Sherilyn saw Tristan’s eyebrows raise slightly.Oh god.
‘Fascinating!’ said Emmett, taking off his glasses and laying them on the table. ‘I think I’ll have it all. Tristan?’
‘Er, I was wondering if I could possibly try something traditional from Kentucky?’
Amy opened her mouth and Sherilyn blanched.Please say something normal.
‘Fried chicken?’
Emmett and Clara’s shoulders relaxed. ‘Yes, capital!’ exclaimed Emmett. ‘Fried chicken all round. And tea.’
‘I’ll have coffee, if that’s okay?’ asked Tristan.
‘My dear boy, you don’t need to do that on our account,’ said Emmett.
‘It’s fine, sir,’ Tristan replied. ‘I don’t actually like tea that much.’
Clara’s jaw dropped open. ‘You don’t like tea? But, but you’re British!’
‘I think I was given a bit too much as a child and it put me off,’ he replied.
‘Rightie-ho then! Coffee it is!’ said Emmett.
