Chapter two

Catherine rounds up quickly with the cleaning to answer her mum's phone which continues to ring on the sofa in the living room.She dries her hand with the apron on her and picks up the phone.

' Hello, this is Catherine,' she gently speaks, 'how can I help you?' 

' Hi Catherine,' answers a sweet voice 'please can I speak with Mrs Beth' 

'So sorry she's not around but can I rely your message to her when she gets back?' she pauses , unsure of the caller's decision then adds 'I'm her daughter by the way' 

'Ok then,' the voice agrees ' Tell her Bianca Kingsley...'

'Sorry wait a moment ' Catherine cuts in as she gets a sheet of paper and pen from her study table at the other side of the room to pen down the message. 'I'm all ears'

'Okay tell her Bianca Kingsley from Ashley street call to let her know she is back in the country and will like her to resume back in the house preferably weekend'

Catherine writes down the message and adds 'Okay will surely do that'

'Thank you' the voice says and hangs up.

 Catherine drops the phone and places a book on the paper so as not to get missing. She walks back to the kitchen to start cooking.

 Minutes later the door opens and her mum enters. 'Kat!' she calls, ' I'm back'

'Welcome mum,' she leaves the kitchen and helps her with her bag. She notices the grins on her face. 'Sorry mum '

'Thank you' she replies and sits on the sofa gently resting her back.

Catherine goes to the kitchen and pour a glass of water. She hands it to her mum and studies her face 'You okay?' She sits on the table, facing her

Her mum collects the glass cup and replies 'I'm fine. It's just the stress' 

'Sorry mum. 'Were you able to book an appointment with the doctor?'she asks

'Yes,' she replies, ' next week Tuesday '

'Okay' she stands and faces the kitchen to continue cooking but walks back having remembered something.

' Yeah mum, someone called,' she walks to her reading table to get the paper ' she said she's Bianca Kingsley from Ashley street. She want you to come back to your work this weekend ' she reads from the paper and hands it over to her. 'Obviously from one of your old employers who knows how great and diligent you are at your work'

 Her mum laughs back at her words as she reads the paper. Her face brightens and faces Catherine 'You remember Kingsley family I told you left the country two years ago?' She asks 

 Catherine shruggs ' You know, you probably have a lot of them' 

She nods ' Yes but this family is different, Bianca is kind and she has a loving family except for the step son,' she pauses and continue ' I can see you've forgotten them'

'i don't remember mum. But I hope you're not considering going back?' she asks

Her mum frowns 'Oh Kat it's nothing much trust me just a few clean here and there '

'And thereby endangering your life?' Catherine throws her the question and shakes her head ' I'm sorry I can't allow this'

'Kat' her mum calls

'No mum!' She vehemently declines. ' I know you're thinking of where to get your treatment money and my tuition fees. But don't worry it will all get sorted out'

Her mum draws her to her side ' So should I call her and say no?' she asks 'what if I'm her last option?'

'Mum, how can you,' she pauses and swallow hard. 'Okay let me do it' 

'No,' her mum rejects ' I won't give in to that '

Catherine tries to explain ' Mum you just said it yourself that it just a few clean here and there. It won't be a big deal.' She reassures 'Don't worry I'll try to be fast with it so I can come home faster' she adds

Her mum gently smiles and agrees. ' Kat darling,I'm sorry this Mum has to put you into all this. If only I can do better'

Catherine hugs her and replies 'it's okay mum and besides you're enough for all I need'

'Not even a space for a guy?' het mum jokingly asks while releasing her

'Mum!' 

'Ofcourse Kat I'm joking' she replies to the serious look on her face

'Better, cause you're all I need'

Her mum laughs

'What Mum?'

'Kat when it's the right time, you'll have one right?'

'Whatever till then' She stands and walks to the kitchen 'You want some rice?'

'Kat you're changing the topic' her mum jokingly says after her

She answers from the kitchen ' When the time comes mum, we'll have a true conversation '