‘What time are we off to your mum’s?’ He glanced at the kitchen clock.
‘Ashleigh said they were arriving about midday, so we’ll give them some time to get settled and head over.’
‘Can’t imagine Evie with a little one. I still think she’s a baby herself.’
‘Same age as Bertie,’ she reminded him.
‘Yep. And remind me’ – his memory, especially where names were concerned, was a little hazy – ‘what’s their baby called?’
‘Levi.’
‘As in the jeans?’
‘Yes, but please don’t say that to Kat and Evie!’ She smiled for the first time that day at her super-klutz darling.
‘And Elio is bringing his girlfriend. Must be serious; don’t remember him introducing us to anyone before, much less bringing them to Ruthie’s with some of the family present.’
‘Her name is Pia, and Sophie said he’s keen as mustard. They study together and apparently it’s love. But they’re only seventeen. The heart is fickle at that age. I expect they’ll go off to uni and meet other people.’
‘Well, I won’t bother learning the name Pia then!’ he teased her. It was a nice distraction from the sadness that underlined her every thought, worrying about Tony.
Ashleigh
‘Oh! Will you look at him.’ Ruthie placed her hand on her chest and shook her head. ‘He’s the image of your dad, don’t you think?’
‘Erm ...’ Ashleigh gazed at the face of her grandson in her arms and felt the quickening of her pulse and the melting of her heart, the falling away of all negativity and worry at the sight and scent of this beautiful baby. Surely the most beautiful baby ever to have existed! He was perfect, absolutely perfect. ‘I guess he does a bit.’ She winked at Kat and Evie, who sat side by side on the sofa. No one had the heart to explain that it was Kat’s egg, fertilised by their trusted friend, that had made Levi, and therefore Dennis Brett’s DNA was not directly involved.
‘Is he good, a little sleeper?’ her mum asked, the visit already putting a sparkle in her eyes and her posture the best Ashleigh had seen in a long while.
‘Well, he’s yet to figure out which is day and night, but luckily Evie is great at night feeds, so ...’ Kat beamed at her wife.
‘Well, he’s a lucky little boy to be so loved.’ Ruthie spoke in earnest and it warmed Ashleigh to hear such approval from his great-grandma.
Levi made the smallest sound and emitted a light snuffle.
She raised him to her shoulder and stood, holding him against her with his head resting in her palm, safe against her chest.
‘No need to worry, my boy. Your nana’s got you. I’m right here. Go back to sleep, little Levi. Your great-granny is right, you are so very loved.’
She looked over his head to Evie, who stared at her with an expression of love. It would have been hard for her to explain just how connected she felt to the little one, understanding the first time she saw him the swell of unconditional love that so many people had spoken of. It was also the most terrible confirmation that she had not felt this before, not with such immersion. Something she would never, ever admit or discuss. How could she? It wasn’t that she didn’t adore her daughter, she did, but rather it was a love that had grown over the years, as they survived the ups and downs of divorce, and had got to know each other.
It was easy for her to see now that when she was trying so hard to figure out life, dogged by so much self-doubt, it had felt almost impossible to love herself, let alone love Evie. The only person she had truly thought she loved was Archie. More than loved,worshipped, as if he knew the secrets of life and, if she was good enough, he might just reveal them to her one by one.
The love that had come to her in recent years had taught her that true happiness lay in equity and respect. Right on cue, she heard his voice in the hallway.
‘Couldn’t find Cheddar, so I got Wensleydale instead. Hope that’s okay?’
‘Lovely, Victor, thank you. How much do I owe you?’ Ruthie reached for her handbag, always within reach, where her purse nestled.
‘No, no, that’s fine, Ruthie. My gift to you.’
Ashleigh shared a lingering look with her husband, the kind of look that spoke of a deep love and affection. The kind of love and affection that meant they were both in it for the long haul, come what may.
‘Can I hold him?’ Victor walked forward.
‘No, Grandpa!’ Ashleigh teased him. ‘You have to wait your turn.’
‘I think I’ll have a long wait, eh, Evie?’ He smiled.
