Chapter 20

Indigo at her parents house, in the kitchen with Henrietta and Gaz. Henrietta says "Are you staying for dinner, Indigo?"
Indigo doesn't answer. Gaz punches Indigo in the arm. Indigo says "Ow! What was that for?"
Gaz says "You were asked a question."
"Sorry, Mama. What was the question?"
Henrietta says "Are you staying for dinner?"
"Would you mind?"
"Of course not."
Gaz says "I do. Now I won't get as much."
"You may have to buy some food for your place."
"Mama, Indigo's using dirty words."
Henrietta sits down and says "Leave you sister alone. Can't you see something's bothering her? What is it?"
"Summer blues?"
Indigo says "Could say that. Mama, what kind of trauma would make someone distance themself from others?"
Henrietta says "Where's this come from?"
"Only asking."
"Is it a work thing?"
Gaz says "Summer project?"
Indigo says "Thought if I understood people better, I could help them more."
Henrietta says "I would say that if a person distances themself from everyone that's fear, but if they are only doing it from a few people that would be shame."
"Shame? Shame over what?"
"That would be down to the individual. There are many theories. That's my take on it though."
"Thanks, Mama."
"I hope I helped."
Gaz says "What a choice. Scared or ashamed Summer."
Indigo hits Gaz and says "Shut up."
"Make me."
Indigo punches Gaz in the leg. Henrietta says "No fighting at the table. What's going on?"
"Indigo thinks she saw Summer. I think it's getting to her."
"Summer? Your Summer?"
Indigo says "Yes. No. I'm not sure."
"What have you been doing to find out?"
"Everything I can."
Gaz says "We're going to see if we can find her tomorrow night in the club she was spotted."
Henrietta says "Gareth, you're going too?"
"Of course. Indigo said she'd introduce me to one of her friends."
Wilson says "Have you warned the poor girl?"
Indigo says "Hey, Pop. I have and she's actually looking forward to meeting him."
"Brave."
Gaz says "I would have gone anyway. Indigo could use the extra eyes and I know what she looked like."
Wilson says "What who looked like?"
Henrietta says "Summer."
"If I'd of known that this mornimg."
Indigo says "Why?"
"I bumped into her mother."
"You saw Sabrina? When? Where?"
"In town."
"Where in town? What time did you speak to her?"
Henrietta says "Indigo."
Gaz says "Let Pop breathe a second. He's not on trtial."
Indigo says "Sorry, Pop."
Wilson says "No need to be. I did speak to her. She asked after us and I asked how they had been."
Gaz says "And?"
"And she said a family emergency had taken them away but now they're back, and Summer is an event planner."
Henrietta says "What's that?"
Gaz says "A party organizer."
Indigo says "Did she say anything else?"
Wilson says "Yes. She said to tell you she expects to see you soon."
Ric says "Who expects to se you?"
Indigo says "An old friend's mom."
"Which friend?"
Gaz says "What's it to you?"
Henrietta says "Ric, you're filthy. Go wash up."
Ric goes upstairs. "Sorry. I didn't know he was here."
Wilson says "I'm lost."
Indigo says "Can you not tell Ric about Summer or Sabrina, please?"
"I'm not going to lie to my son."
Gaz says "What kind of parent are you?"
Indigo syas "I'm not asking you to lie."
Wilson says "Then what are you asking us to do?"
"Withhold information. For now."
Henrietta says "One condition."
"Anything."
"When you speak to her, she comes for a meal with all of us. And you tell your brother."
"I can't promise anything."
"Neither can we."
"You do remember he always left the house when she'd come over?"
"It's been a long time. Give hime a chance."
Gaz says "Mama, he thinks she's going on a blind date with a guy."
Ric enters the kitchen and says "What are we talking about?"
"Tomorrow night."
"Tomorrow night? Oh, your date. Are you sure you don't need me there? I can get my shift covered."
Indigo says "Thank you but no. It'll be fine."
"You're my baby sister. It's my job to worry."
Gaz says "What about me?"
Ric says "What about you?"
"I'm your baby brother. You've never offered to check my dates out."
"That's different."
Henrietta says "How is it?"
"He doesn't get dates."

Reviews

[Jennie Baron]

This is a realistic family scene, but it might benefit from a little more description of the characters and setting. The reader can get a little lost in the dialogue. I also suggest using verbs other than "says," maybe words that say more about HOW the line is said. You can also add gestures, expressions, etc.