Jake got up, went to the kitchen and put the lasagne in the oven to warm. He came back to Vic with three sets of cutlery, which he laid down on the coffee table infront of her.
‘Somebody joining us?’ Vic enquired.
Suddenly, Norman was awake and running outside, and then Vic noticed someone getting onto the boat. Jake went forward to greet their dinner guest with a kiss on each cheek.
Joti grinned as she caught sight of Vic. ‘Hello, sis.’ Tears started running down Joti’s pretty face.
‘Hello.’ Vic was smiling through her tears now too.
‘Dad was right in his letter about me not being lonely,’ Joti blubbed. ‘I’ve got a whole new family here now, and honestly, Vic, I can’t tell you how happy I am that we’re related. I’ve always wanted a sister and I could do so much worse than you.’
‘Me, too,’ Vic laughed. ‘That nosy old tosser of a neighour of ours is going to have a field day when he tries to work this one out!’
‘What? That we share the same dad, I’m half Sri Lankan and now I’m living with your brother!’
Jake looked to the window. ‘There he goes, sprinting to the Windsor and Eton Express offices without his trainers on.’ They all laughed.
‘Oh, yeah.’ Joti started picking at the bowl of crisps Jake had put down in front of them. ‘Not sure if I told you this.’ She started laughing to herself. ‘After the RSPCA incident, I took Chandler out under cover of darkness and got him to shit on the old bugger’s front lawn.’
‘Oh my God, that’s hilarious.’ Vic shook with laughter.
Jake looked on with pride and amusement as his two daughters joyously conversed.
‘Well, you taught me everything I know on that front,’ Joti sniggered.
‘Although my actions were completely indefensible,’ Vic added.
‘I forgive you.’ Joti grinned and added, ‘Well, you better sit down… Dad – as I’ve got something else to tell you both.’
‘Dad. Wow.’ Vic faltered, still finding it hard to believethat she and Joti shared the same father. ‘And what now?’ she exclaimed. ‘I’m not sure if I’m ready for any more surprises.’
Joti pulled a black-and-white shiny-looking piece of paper out of her bag and put it in front of her face.
‘You’re pregnant?’ Vic gasped.
Jake went in to look closer. ‘And there’s two of them!’
‘You’re pregnant with twins?!’ Tears started to run down Vic’s face. ‘And they are my brother’s, I take it?’
‘Yes,’ Joti gasped. ‘I’m not that much of a harlot, and I know I’ve only known him for five minutes, but when you know you know, and I’m not getting any younger, and he was up for it, so we started practising and it happened a lot quicker than we both thought.’
‘I’m so happy for you both.’ Vic took a deep breath, meaning what she said but not denying the pain she also felt at realising that, despite the fact that she had found peace with the decision to not have children, she would never feel this joy herself.
Joti squeezed her hand knowingly. ‘I have to say, when I told him it was twins, Albie did nearly faint, but as you know, my divorce settlement was good and my dad – my other dad, that is – also left me a tidy penny. And I now have a toy boy who is good at DIY, so it’s a win-win really, all around. I love my job and will probably go back, plus Albie can choose his hours if he wants to work. It will be a perfect arrangement.’
Jake kissed Joti on her head. ‘Congratulations to you both.’
‘I think Albie will actually make a really good father,’ Vic added, blowing her nose.
‘And you, dear sister, will make an amazing auntie.’
‘Oh my God, yes.’ Vic’s face lit up. ‘Auntie Victoria. I’m going to be an auntie.’ She laughed.
‘We can share – one each, if you like,’ Joti went on.‘I’m going to need all the help I can get.’
‘Have you told Mum? About the babies, I mean.’ Vic stood up to help Jake.
‘We just did. She was over the moon. In fact, so emotional that Albie is going to stay with her and have dinner whilst I am here.’
