“We’re here.” Alex brings the car to a halt outside a small chalet. The lapping of the water in the distance from the marinasoothes me as I step out of the car. Twirling around, taking in the surroundings, my cotton dress flares at the knee. I can see why Finn chose this place to live. With the boats in the marina and the beach up ahead, it’s an artist’s dream.
“Mum.” Finn’s voice booms from the doorway and I spin on my heel. He steps closer, towering above me, but he’ll never be too big for a hug from his mother.
“I’ve missed you, son.” I rub his back as I embrace him, then my smile widens as a curvy woman like myself, albeit much younger, appears in the doorway.
With her frizzy blonde hair and slogan t-shirt that readsAlways be yourself, unless you can be a turtle, I’m certain this is Shelly, my future daughter-in-law. Though she looks a little different from her picture on the boat that made it into theLondon Daily. A picture that once seen is impossible to unsee.
“You must be Shelly.” I release Finn and take a few steps to smother my son’s fiancée.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jones,” she says with a strained voice. It’s then I realise I’m squeezing the life out of her.
“Ms Jone. I haven’t been a Mrs for a while, but please call me Merryssa.” I let her go, trying to contain my excitement that at age thirty, my son is finally settling down. “I’m so happy to meet you. Finn doesn’t stop talking about you.”
“Mum,” Finn whines as if he’s a teenager and I’ve just embarrassed him in front of his date.
A loud thud makes me jump.
Alex huffs as he wheels my suitcase to my side. “Your luggage ma’am.” He scowls, not liking the role of porter.
“Thank you, Alex.” I’m not about to entertain his mood and spoil this moment.
Behind Shelly, two more people appear. “Here they are, Marley,” a woman says, her floral headscarf covering most of herblonde hair streaked with grey. She jingles as she steps out of the chalet, an arm full of bangles resembling that of a fortune teller.
“Mum, Dad, this is Celeste and Marley Myrtle, Shelly’s parents,” Finn says from behind me as I’m pounced on.
Marley engulfs me, pressing me against his multicoloured kaftan that would give Joseph’s technicolour dreamcoat a run for its money. “Ms. Jones, it’s a pleasure.” He pulls back, holding my shoulders at arm’s length. His voice is calming, as if he’s just returned from a mindfulness retreat.
“The pleasure’s all mine.” I force a smile, a little overwhelmed at meeting my future daughter-in-law and her parents in one go. My hand smooths over my hair, trying to tidy any flyaway strands. “I’m sorry you caught me after a long flight. I thought I would have time to freshen up before being formally introduced.”
“We just got here too from our tour around France. Turns out the B&B is fully booked,” Marley says casually.
My eyes widen. “So, where are you staying?”
“Finn kindly offered us his bed for the week. We were going to bunk up in Shelly’s camper.”
“Didn’t want to disturb the love nest.” Celeste nudges Shelly’s arm, wiggling her eyebrows.
Finn gives me a sheepish smile. “You have the spare room, Mum. Shelly and I will sleep on the sofa.”
I scan the tiny two-bedroom chalet before me. “Sounds cosy,” I say, trying to add a positive spin on the situation.
Alex seems to have cheered up as he silently chuckles. He knows I like my space. I could barely share a home with him, let alone three strangers.
“Finn, you must let your mom take the master bedroom with the en suite. Marley and myself are used to roughing it,” Celeste says and I relax my shoulders a little.
Shelly clears her throat. “Mom, there is no en suite. There’s only one bathroom.”
I gulp. “One bathroom?”
Alex grips the handle of my suitcase with a huff. “Should’ve taken me up on my offer in the first place.” His biceps strain as he lifts my case.
“Offer?” I furrow my brow, watching him wrestle with the case.
With a grimace, he loads it back into the boot of his convertible. “This solves everyone’s problems, Merryssa. You’re staying with me.”
Chapter Two
ALEX
