Ed's surprise birthday barbecue

"E-d!" called his mum, after she'd covertly ushered us into the house to take our positions.

Trudging down the stairs, expecting to leave for lunch with his grandmother, a burst of laughter exploded as Ed's jaw dropped noticing two old friends casually laid out in the living room.

"And you had no idea?"
"Didn't you wonder what all the food was for?"
"Didn't you wonder why we hadn't left for mum's yet?"
"And didn't you wonder what mum was cooking all that food for?"

Ed shook his head to the negative, bewildered.

But I think the combination of mum's home cooked Mexican food, introducing us to the latest fluff-ball kitten, and catching up with one another after so long was far preferable to lunch with relatives.