Read Online Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones - Free Book Online

Mrs Humble’ line of thinking. It just makes all this today a little bit ironic, doesn’t it?
    George re-enters with the chilled wine, followed by Mercy, who has put the flowers in a vase. She places them on the table. George makes a huge fuss of Rosie.
    Rosie    Here he is. Romeo himself. Hello, Mercy.
    Mercy    Hello, dear. Don’t you look pretty?
    George    She’s not a looker but she’s got character and I love her.
    Rosie    Thanks for that, Dad.
    Mercy    How’s little Felicity?
    Rosie    She’s a ball of energy.
    George    ( discreetly to Rosie ) You’re feeling okay? About –
    Rosie    I’m fine.
    George    That’s my girl.
    Rosie    Let’s have some wine.
    George    Yes, let’s get this party on the road. ( George starts to pour the wine. )
    Mercy    Not too much for me.
    Flora    Where’s Felix?
    Mercy    Oh, I gave him a shout and he says he’s coming. He was just sorting out the post.
    Flora    ( bewildered ) The post?
    George ushers Flora to sit.
    George    Come on. Let’s not worry. He’ll be down in a minute, I’m sure.
    Flora and Rosie sit.
    Rosie    Sit next to me, Mercy.
    Mercy    Oh, thank you, dear.
    George seats himself at the head of the table opposite Flora. The only seat left is the small gardening stool.
    George    First of all I’d like to propose a toast. Raise your glasses. To Flora and her future happiness.
    As they raise and drink their glasses, Felix enters. He is wearing the suit that Mercy got him from the charity shop. It is far too small for him. His ankles and wrists are very much on display. It is, in fact, one of his father’s old suits. When Flora sees him she nearly chokes on her wine. The others react strongly.
    Felix    Oh, wait for me. I don’t want to miss anything. ( He snatches up a glass and raises it. It is empty. )
    George    ( sotto voce ) Jesus Christ.
    Rosie    ( amused ) I think you ought to review your capsule wardrobe, Felix.
    Mercy    I told you it would be an odd fit.
    Flora    Where did you get that?
    Felix    From the charity shop.
    Mercy    I could take the hems up.
    Flora    ( to Felix ) How could you?
    Mercy    It won’t take five minutes.
    George    What is it? Bunny, what’s wrong?
    Felix helps himself to a glass of wine.
    Flora    It’s James’s suit. He’s wearing his dead father’s suit.
    Mercy    Oh. Oh, dear.
    Felix    I wanted to be smart for you, Mother.
    Rosie    Come on then, give us a twirl.
    Felix    You can never be overdressed, according to my mother.
    George    Take it off.
    Felix    And also there is a deplorable lack of good, affordable millinery around these days. Isn’t that right?
    Flora    Just ignore it, George. It’s fine. Fine. We’re going to have a pleasant day. I’m not going to get upset. It suits you, Felix. Very grunge, darling. ( She takes a sip of wine. )
    Felix    What’s on the menu?
    Mercy    Gazpacho soup.
    Felix    Yummy.
    Mercy    I’ve never made it before. I hope it’s all right.
    Felix goes and sits on the stool. He barely reaches the table.
    Flora    Please find yourself a more suitable chair.
    George    He’s fine.
    Felix    Oh yes, I’m fine. Suitably low status.
    George    Come on then.
    Mercy    Let me serve it up.
    Felix    ( to Rosie, a little awkward ) How is Felicity?
    Rosie    Fine. She’s at a friend’s birthday party.
    George    Causing havoc, no doubt.
    Mercy gets up and starts to ladle the soup out. She goes round the