Serena was the first to see her and her voice cut through the air with a burst of excitement. "Mummy!" She called, her fingers cutely waving with delight.
Alice and Pete turned towards Lina, and holding back her surprise she crossed over the road to meet them.
"Hey, Alice. Maddy." She greeted. "And you Max, how are you?" She waved.
"I'm fine, Mummy Ena. How do you do?"
"I'm good." She smiled fondly at him. "How do you do?"
"Great."
Lina nodded with a smile. She loved how finely mannered he was. He was exactly like Pete — all prim and proper, and she was certain a few years from now, he was going to break hearts if he possessed half the charm his uncle has.
She turned to Pete, who was silently staring at her. "Hey."
"Hey." Lina couldn't but notice how ordinary and casual his voice was. His eyes lacked the gleam they usually possess when he looked at her. There was politeness — something that was perfectly ingrained in him, but there was no passion.
