“Good. That’s sorted then! See you tomorrow. Love you!”
She hangs up before I can say anything else. Lunch? While I’m this tense? While my stomach is coiled into a knot? At least I’ll be able to tell Penny everything that’s been going on while on neutral ground, and with Alistair there to help explain, it might be even easier.
* * *
“Thankyou for coming at such short notice,” I say as I drive along country roads. I let out a shuddering breath and Alistair reaches across the gear stick to take my hand.
“It’s about time I met the family.” He grins. “I put my smartest shirt on just for this.”
I return the smile and then turn into the pub carpark. Judging by Alistair’s relaxed demeanour, I’m the only one with butterflies flapping about inside my stomach.
“Faye?” Alistair says, pulling me from my thoughts. “Are we going inside?”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Yes. Come on.”
We make our way into the pub. It’s been about five years since I last came here. It was with Scott during the summer and Nathan brought Jessica with him for the first time. I remember him ordering champagne and Penny ended up so drunk that she passed out on the car ride home. I later learned that Nathan was topping up her glass without us noticing.
He always encouraged her to be naughty.
“Hey, Mum.”
When I turn around to give Penny a hug, I’m surprised to see Tim with her. But before I can react, she throws her arms around my neck.
“Mummy, we’re engaged!”
“What?” I whisper.
She pulls back and then flashes a diamond in my face. “Tim asked me to marry him. Isn’t it amazing? Look at this ring! I can’t believe how gorgeous it is.”
I turn, somewhat dazed, to Tim, who is beaming like he’s the cat that got the cream.
“It’s a little soon so I’m not surprised you’re shocked, Mrs Mathis,” Tim says. “But Penny is the most amazing woman. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.”
Penny makes an “aww” sound and sinks into his torso.
“Wow,” I say. Then I remind myself that this is supposed to be a happy occasion and I force a smile onto my lips. “Wow. Congratulations to you both.”
Penny hugs me again. “Thanks, Mum. It means so much to me that you approve.”
I definitely haven’t given her my approval, but I don’t tell her that. I hug her back until she pulls away. Then Penny turns to Alistair who I awkwardly remember is still standing behind me.
“Oh, sorry. Alistair, this is Penny, my daughter,” I say.
“And I’m her favourite son, Nathan.”
I hadn’t even noticed him approach. But there he is. My stepson, all six feet of him. I blink, completely overwhelmed by all the people, all the noise.
“Aren’t you going to say hello, Mummy Faye?” he asks.
“Of course. It’s good to see you, Nathan.” I turn to Penny. “Where’s the table?”
Penny smiles. “Over here. Isn’t it lovely? Tim had it all decked out. The balloons are so pretty.”
As soon as I see the “Congratulations” confetti spread across the tablecloth, I know I can’t tell Penny about Claire now. This is anengagement party. It isn’t lunch with my family.
We sit down and order drinks, making polite chitchat. But I need to know more.
“So, Tim,” I turn to the man who is going to become my son-in-law. “You proposed. How romantic.”
