Jasper grins. “I still give it six months.”
“Jasper.” Theo sighs.
“I’m just saying. Babies have a way of ruining plans.”
Theo stands and starts clearing plates. “Whatever happens,” he says, “you’re not doing it alone.”
That hits deep.
Jasper raises his cup. “To Geoff. Unexpectedly responsible.”
I clink mine against his, then Theo’s, and take a sip that tastes more like relief than coffee.
Jasper lowers his cup and fixes me with a look that means he’s about to say something annoying but well intentioned. “Right,” he says. “When are you telling Mum?”
My stomach tightens instantly. There it is. The boss level.
“I hadn’t… scheduled it yet,” I say carefully.
Theo snorts. “You mean you’re avoiding it.”
“I mean I’mpreparing,” I reply. “Mentally.”
Jasper leans forward, eyes bright with far too much enthusiasm. “I want to be there.”
I blink. “What?”
“When you tell her,” he clarifies. “Especially the bit where you explain that the mother of your child is not your girlfriend.”
Theo nods. “Yes. That’s a group activity.”
I groan and rub a hand over my face. “You are not helping.”
“Oh, we absolutely are,” Jasper says. “Someone needs to witness it.”
Theo smiles sympathetically. “Mum will be… invested.”
That’s one word for it.
“I need a whisky,” I groan. The thought of telling my mother, the woman who rules over the Guernsey WI like a queen bee. Perfect posture. Immaculate hair. The faint air of someone who expects the world to behave if she raises an eyebrow just enough. Yeah, I need a drink.
“Make it two,” Jasper adds as Theo heads behind the counter and pulls out his private bottle of whisky, the one he keeps there for our meetings.
Theo chuckles as he places the glasses on the table. “She does like things doneproperly.”
“She’s going to ask questions,” I agree in horror. “A lot of them.”
Jasper grins. “Especially about the friends bit.”
“That’s the part that’s going to kill me,” I admit. “Trying to explain that this isn’t a scandal, it’s just… unconventional.”
Theo winces. “Mum is not known for embracing unconventional.”
“She is,” Jasper counters. “As long as it’s on her terms.”
I sigh. “The Queen of Guernsey.”
Theo raises his glass. “Long may she reign.”
