Alex's moustache twitched at the corner of his mouth when Duncan insisted on calling him Sir or Mr. He eventually relented with a hand going up and then wavering slightly. "Alright if you insist Mr Moran." He actually liked that this boy had polite manners. 

He chuckled at the comment he made at his mother having to chase the poor man away. "Well we do enjoy our tea, us Brits." He admitted. "And my daughter makes a fine pot of tea indeed!" He beamed with pride, she had her UNrebellious moments...

"I surely look forward to greeting your folks if they do decide to show up. It's actually Victoria's birthday next month so I'll be throwing a big garden party for the whole town. It's a rather special event." Nothing was too good or expensive for his little girl. His princess. She was all he had left in the world. Of course he was going to spoil her. 

--

In the kitchen, Tia hummed as she stirred the stew pot atop the stove. "This sauce is coming along nicely, dontcha think Miss Vixy!" She had always called her nicknames affectionately. Victoria ventured over from slicing some fruit for dessert to taste test the sauce. With a delicate hand she took the wooden spoon, held her hand underneath to catch any drips and sipped the hot broth. "Mmhh. Yeah. I do declare Miss Tia you have done it again!" She playfully teased her friend. Tia shook her head. "It was your idea to put the thyme and rosemary in." she pointed out as she wiped her hands on her apron. 

Victoria chuckled. "I do declare Miss Vixy has done it again!" She pointed an index finger in the air as she smiled brightly. The girls did have some fun. Much to Alex's and Belle's disapproval. Tia's dad didn't seem to much mind though. Speaking of Miss Belle....the door was heard opening and shutting as heeled footsteps were heard. Belle ventured into the room and greeted the ladies and took off her pale yellow hat. Adoring in a long black cloak over a long black dress, her hat was the only thing colourful. She used to dress in such bright colours in her youth but all she seemed to wear these days was black.  

"My word! The market was busy today!" She exclaimed and handed Victoria a bag of some sorts. "Here, I got you some more of those bows you like for your hair. And Lord! What happened to your dress!" She pointed toward her dirty skirt from where she had ventured out into the field to rescue the calf.

"We had an emergency. In faaact...let me introduce you to our hero of the day." she removed her apron and led Belle into the lounge by her hand. She found Alex and Duncan chatting between themselves as she presented Belle. "Duncan, may I present Miss Belle, my au pair." She then directed Belle to Duncan. "This is our neighbour Mr Moran."

"O-oh...pleasure!" She glanced at Alex, who winked back at her, you could see they were formulating an idea into their heads [i]already[/i]....