As he shampooed his hair, he knew that that wasn’t going to happen.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Pippa stood at Kam’s front door and took a deep breath. She had a feeling today was going to be a day full of laughter, even if most of it would be at Kam’s expense. She’d enjoyed meeting his sisters yesterday – they were so much fun – and watching all four of them together was fascinating: whilst they were all definite individuals there was something about the four of them that was so similar, their mannerisms, the way they laughed. It was both freaky and quite adorable. It was like one person split into four.
Just arriving at Kam’s flat was making her tummy flip. She had never been there before and was fascinated to see where he lived and what it was like. She imagined she’d be walking into a man-pad, with wall to wall surfboards, wetsuits hanging over the bath and all sorts of man toys, kayaks, paddleboards and the like littering the house.
The building itself had been a great big old smokehouse and net store, part of the fishing heritage of Treporth but now repurposed as swanky apartments. She had always wanted to have a peek inside to see if they were as swish as the advertisements had suggested. She was also slightly curious as to how Kam was managing to fit his family into a two-bedroom apartment.
She felt her tummy flip again as she pushed the buzzer and waited for him to answer. She reminded herself that there was no need to be anxious; this was merely a day out with a colleague’s family, not a date. However, it was a struggle to get her disobedient body to believe it: the speed of her beating heart and the nerves that were making her feel more than a little sick were convinced it was a date, and a date with the whole family at that. Which meant she had to make a good impression on everyone rather than just one person. No pressure at all.
‘Hello, come on in,’ Kam answered the intercom and then whispered, ‘Rescue me, they’re all insane.’ Making her laugh before she had even walked in through the front door.
‘Hello, are you ready for adventures?’ She wandered into the hallway and he led her through to the living room. It was a huge room, all modern steel and glass and lots of light juxtaposed against high ceilings and old granite wall. She noted that, bar the bedding neatly folded at the end of one of the huge sofas, the room was immaculate. No smell of musty socks or damp wetsuits. Just a clean citrus smell pervading the house along with the sound of hairdryers – more than one – all of which she assumed belonged to his sisters.
Kam was dressed down in a T-shirt and jeans today, with the jet black of his hair shiny from the shower. His house told her that he was no boy but all man, his physique and smell backing that up. And those arms peeking out of the T-shirt were screaming man with every muscle, every dark hair on show.Oh, be calm, she told herself, whilst her mind immediately went to places that would putFifty Shadesto shame. His mother was in the next room and she had enough good sense not to race over there and peel that T-shirt off his body.
‘Hello, I can’t thank you enough for this.’ Kam seemed oblivious to the filth racing through her head.
‘Honestly, I’m really happy to do it. I’m just a bit worried about fitting us all in my car. Did you say your friend Ben might be joining us as well?’
‘Yes, mum insisted. She practically brought him up, so he’s virtually a brother rather than a friend. But don’t worry, my mum’s got her car and that fits eight, so we’re all good.’
‘Okay, is your mum driving?’
‘Not unless you want to take your life in your hands. She’s a demon behind the wheel, look at her…’ He paused as his mother walked into the room.
‘Ah Pippa, how lovely to see you. Such a good girl. I hear you are to be our tour guide, hmmm?’ She enveloped her into a great big hug and Pippa breathed in a deep floral scent and felt immediately comforted, as if all was well in the world. No wonder Mrs Choudhury’s family were all so close; that hug had some kind of superpower pheromone blasting out making everyone feel safe.
‘I am indeed. Kam told me all the things his sisters liked so I’ve managed to work those in but he was pretty rubbish at telling me what your favourite thing is.’
‘Ah, that’s so simple.’ Kam’s mum went and ruffled his hair. ‘Why is this still wet eh? Your guest is here and you’re not ready?’
‘Why don’t you say that to the girls? They’ve stolen my hairdryer despite bringing their own, and have turned my room into some kind of beauty salon and won’t let me in. They’re the ones who need to get a move on.’
‘Hmm. Anyway, Pippa, ignore them for now but my favourite thing is actually my children. If they’re happy, I’m happy just watching them. Now don’t go telling me that’s creepy,’ she jumped in as Kam opened his mouth. ‘Although, Pippa, the truth is I prefer them when they’re doing as they’re told or asleep. Ireallylike them when they’re sleeping.’
‘Was Kam terribly naughty as a child?’ asked Pippa, impressed with how she was keeping her face straight.
‘Him and Ben were a handful. They turned me grey overnight. I have so many stories to tell you. Absolute pickles, the pair of them. It’s a good job I had girls after that or I would no doubt be in my grave now, dead from stress at an early age.’
‘You talk such nonsense,’ Kam laughed at his mother’s exaggerated face as she recalled her parental woes.
‘I shall look forward to those stories. He always pretends he was so good. Kam said Ben is joining us today. I haven’t met him yet.’
‘How so? He and Kam are usually joined at the hip,’ Mrs Choudhury smiled at Pippa as she said this, and then turned and flashed Kam a very cross look. ‘Andnonsense, how dare you?’
‘Kam and I spend time together in work, but that’s it usually.’
‘In that case, we shall have to change that. Kam, Kam, why have you not taken Pippa out yet? She hasn’t even met Ben. How do you expect to get yourself settled down if you don’t take the first step?’
Pippa laughed as a look of utter mortification flashed across Kam’s face. It wasn’t enough to stop Mrs Choudhury though.
‘I say to him – I’ve been saying for years – “When are you going to get married? Why are you not trying harder? Look at how old I am.” Now, and with his father ready to retire. We need some grandchildren and I’d like them before I’m too old to enjoy them.’
‘Hahaha, are you getting the why-can’t-you-find-a-nice-Hindu-bride talk again, Kam? Oh Mum, that’s too funny. I thought you had stopped that. You know Kam is never going to do anything whilst you nag. I’m ready now. Where are we going?’ Nisha headed into the room, and she looked more than ready: she looked absolutely gorgeous. Neither her mother or Kam seemed to notice and both turned on her at the same time.
‘I don’t nag! How dare you say such nonsense!’
