‘Totally. It’s the right side of normal. We could not do what we’re doing with my mum. Let me tell you. She’d be in your sock drawer after the first date.’
‘That’s rather intrusive.’
‘She doesn’t mean to be like that, but she’s intense. I’m her baby boy and she’s always going to look out for me.’
‘But you’re a grown man. Don’t you find that under-mining?’ she asked.
‘Nope. In her eyes I’ll always be her baby. It’s the power of maternal love. It’s intense. Plus she’s done so much for me – I can let her get away with a little overprotectiveness.’
Ros wasn’t sure. It sounded like a violation of privacy to her but she wasn’t going to argue. What did she know about maternal anything?
***
They reached the park and walked down to where the wisteria covered the arch that went across the path. ‘This is very Instagrammable,’ said Cameron, swapping Gazza’s lead to his other hand so he could get his phone out.
‘Is that even a word?’
‘It’ll keep Uncle Pete happy. Look like you love me.’ Cameron held up his phone to snap a selfie.
‘And how would that look?’ Ros was genuinely curious. Would her uncle read anything into these photos?
Cameron was grinning and Ros was frowning. ‘It doesn’t look like that. Just smile and it’ll be fine.’
‘Will it though?’ Ros was getting concerned. ‘I’m not great in photos at the best of times. Even Dad said my passport photo looked like a police mug shot.’
Cameron nodded. ‘I’ve got an idea.’ He passed Gazza’s lead to Ros and she wondered what he was doing. He manoeuvred her a little so the purple backdrop of the wisteria was in shot. ‘Ready?’
‘No, because I have no idea—’ She didn’t get to finish her sentence because Cameron lifted Gazza into her arms and the overexcited pup began trying to lick both their faces. Despite the unwelcome doggy kisses it did make Ros laugh and Cameron snapped away.
‘You had better have got a good one,’ she said, wiping her chin, but she wasn’t cross. She felt a bit giggly, which wasn’t like her.
‘Yeah I think I did,’ he said, scanning the reams of shots of her laughing.
Chapter Eighteen
Wednesday was Darla’s night off from the cocktail bar. It was a great opportunity to have a catch-up with Ros. She was itching to hear her side of the barbecue story.
Ros had already chilled the wine and they sat on the sofa and shared their updates. Ros went first and gave a detailed account of the event as only Ros could. Darla was surprised that Ros didn’t use the flip chart. ‘In conclusion I asked that in future he run things like that by me before taking action, and he brought me those flowers.’
Darla glanced at the beautiful bunch of blooms in a vase on the table. ‘Wow, they must have cost him a bit.’
Ros seemed to look at them afresh. ‘I suppose they must. They are lovely.’
‘I get where you’re coming from completely, but I’m more traditional and a little less militant than you so I actually think it was a nice thing that he did. Women like that would never listen even if you challenged them; they’d put that down to you overreacting but when someone else calls them out they might take notice.’
Ros gave her a knowing look. ‘They’ve left the break room every time I’ve gone in there this week. One of them even walked out with her half-eaten sandwich in her hand.’
‘You should speak to Human Resources.’
‘And say what? The mean girls are being mean again? We’re not in primary school. No, I’m going over their project with a fine-tooth comb and I’m hoping to find a number of areas for improvement.’
‘Be careful. Don’t give them any reason to get you into trouble.’ Darla sipped her wine. Ros was smart but she wasn’t that streetwise and whilst she did everything by the book, many people didn’t. Darla feared Ros could be outwitted by underhand tactics.
‘They won’t because I’m implementing a new policy. Cameron thinks things will improve if I make an effort to be more approachable and find common ground with others. I’m picking one person a day and I’m engaging them in superficial conversation whilst attempting to look friendly. I’m avoiding the mean girls but that still leaves plenty of people.’
‘Blimey, that is a big change. Well done you. You might even make some friends,’ said Darla.
‘It’s fine. I don’t want to be friends with these people. Talking of friends, have you lured Elliott yet?’
