Sibling Rivalry

My son is home (briefly) from university.  I tell myself that he comes home because hemisses his family and relishes having his very own double bed in his very owndouble room with (because he's the only boy in the family) his very ownen-suite bathroom.  In reality I knowhome comforts have nothing to do with it and he simply wants me to attend tothe vast suitcase he is trailing.  Namelybecause it contains a fortnight's worth of washing.  Not to mention ironing.

So I open the front door and yell, 'Yoo hoo,' tonobody in particular, 'Rob's home.'  Mr Vis at work, so obviously no response from him. My step-daughter Rianna is not visiting, so ditto.  There is a creaking noise from thelanding.  The sound of the dog haulingherself out of her basket.  It goes onfor a bit.  The hauling that is.  The dog is getting on in years and herwaistline gave in to middle age spread years ago.  Eventually there is a thud as all four pawsfinally connect with the landing. Seconds later the dog makes a lethargic appearance and dutifully wagsher tail at Robbie.  So where is theyoungest?  I peer up the stairwell.  Eleanor's door remains resolutely shut.
Now at this point perhaps I should mention Robbie isnearly 19.  He's a young man.Independent.  Screamingly clever.  Motivated. An A* student who knows exactly where he's going in life. WhereasEleanor, 14, has freedom hampered by her age, is clever but lazy, and notparticularly motivated unless you mention words like 'shopping' or 'HarryStyles' (who she wants to marry one day). Is it any wonder therefore that Eleanor is jealous of her brother.
I knock on her bedroom door and tentatively goin.  A sullen face regards me from behindher laptop screen.  'Yes?' she askscurtly.  'Your brother's home,' I say.  'Yes, I heard you,' she snaps.  There then follows a little chat about thevagaries of being civil, saying hello, making conversation to a family memberwho now only has his big toe in the family nest.  'Why should I say hello first?' Eleanor demands.  Does it matter who says hello first?  Apparently so!
In due course Robbie finds his sister and sayshello.  'Hello,' I hear her mutter.  As he turns his back to walk away I catch mydaughter apparently bowing down to Mecca (in Robbie's direction) andworshipping the floor.  But her facialexpression is not one of adoration.  Ipretend not to see.
I cook dinner and we eat altogether.  This in itself is a rare event.  Mr V is still not home from work and if wewaited for his arrival frankly it would be bedtime.  Usually Eleanor takes her meal to the kids'room to watch 'documentaries'.  For this read'reality programmes'.  And I take myplate off to my computer where I bash out a few hundred words betweenmouthfuls.  By the time my meal isfinished it is always stone cold.  As wesit down at the table Eleanor's lip curls into its familiar teenage expression.  'I always know when my brother is homebecause napkins appear and we sit up at the table.'
By the time dinner is served a spat is in full swing.  Finally Robbie snaps. 'Just what is yourproblem?' to which Eleanor rumbles, 'You, oh favourite child!' It's only when Ithreaten to make free with roast potatoes and collapsing broccoli that the twoof them become silent.  'I have nofavourites,' I tell Eleanor firmly, 'you are both unique and amazing people whoI love dearly.'  To which Rob smiles andEleanor sneers.
In due course I clear up and the two of themdisappear upstairs.  As I load thedishwasher every single nerve within my body is on full scale alert.  When will they kick off again?  I hear noises.  Gentle at first.  Then rumblings.  And then the sort of din that has meabandoning everything and hot footing up the stairs two at a time.  I fling open my son's bedroom door ready tobreak up World War Three.
But instead a joyful sight greets my eyes.  The noise they are generating is one ofhappiness.  My children are sittingcompanionably together on the edge of Rob's bed, half watching a funny clip onYou Tube but also gabbling about university life, school life, teasing andtaking the Mickey out of each other, gossiping about their friends, tellingjokes, roaring with laughter and generally behaving like they are two long-lostbest friends.
I guess this is what sibling rivalry is.  A mixture of both loathing and love.  But right now it's love.  Long may it last...