Tabi nods emphatically before they run towards the cinema.
I’m being pulled in two directions, and Rosie senses something.
How can I have everything and not let anyone down?
CHAPTER 64
Rosie
“Hey, Tabi,” Gregory shouts.
Tabi’s face scrunches, and she plays with her bracelet as she greets her best friend. “Hey.”
Gregory’s mum hugs me as Tabi and I join the parents and their children outside the screen. “Is she okay? She looks peaky.”
“She’s scared of the dark cinema, but she can grab me, and we’ll sit outside if it gets too much.”
“Of course she’s late again,” one parent grumbles to another.
I bite my tongue. I shouldn’t let them treat me like this. My confidence wanes. If I can’t defend myself, how can I protect my daughter? I’m a crap mum.
“I’ve had lots of presents,” Gregory says to Tabi. “I got a climbing frame and a new bike.”
Tabi nods and looks warily at the screen door.
“The present—I left it in the car,” I say to Gregory’s mum. “I’ll give it to you after.”
“It must be exhausting to be so disorganised,” the mumwho commented on my lateness mumbles out of the corner of her mouth.
The other mum cackles as they stare at me.
“Here you go, baby. Sorry for making us late.” Niki presses a kiss to my cheek. He gives me the present for Gregory I’d left in the car.
“Oh my god. You’re that racing driver,” the snarky mum says, staring at Niki like he’s made of melted chocolate.
“I prefer to go by Rosie’s boyfriend.” He grabs my hand and holds my knuckles against his lips, brushing a kiss against them. Shivers dance across my neck, and my smile grows as he winks at me.
“You’re dating a racing driver? How did you two meet?” the mum of a child that’s bullied Tabi asks me. “You’re not the kind of guy who slums it at the carpet factory.”
“I work for Coulter Racing, although we met last year,” I explain.
“It was the best day of my life. I fell for Rosie quickly, but I wasn’t good enough for her. She’s the most beautiful person inside and out.”
One of the mums guffaws.
“Something funny?” he asks. “By the way, where are all the dads?” The only dad in the group is Gregory’s.
“They don’t come to things like this. They spend Saturday mornings on the golf course.”
Niki laughs loudly. “Seriously? Wow, I hope I never get to the point where I don’t want to spend time with the woman I love and the most incredible child in the world.”
That causes grumbles, although Gregory’s parents chuckle behind their hands.
“By the way, baby, which children bullied Tabi? I’d like to chat with their parents,” he says with a loud whisper. The parents in question raise their eyebrows. “I wanted to tell them I’ve seen how hard parenting is. Not everyone can be like you.”He presses another kiss to my knuckles. “But if they need pointers on making their children more respectful, I’m sure you’d be willing to help. Tabi’s the sweetest, funniest bundle of joy I’ve ever met, but not everyone is as good a parent as you. You’d be willing to advise them, wouldn’t you?”
Their jaws practically smack against the floor. I didn’t know anyone could shut up the mean mums who’ve treated me like crap for the last year. For the first time, I have someone on my side at these gatherings.
“I’m always happy to help them,” I reply, “if I can fit them around my busy schedule—unless they think I’m too disorganised.”
