‘Don’t they hate me?’
He looks aghast. ‘Of course they don’t!’
‘You never told them what happened between us?’
He recoils. ‘Yeah, I did, but nobodyblamesyou.’
‘Your mum doesn’t think I’m a complete hussy?’ I can’t help feeling a small spark of hope.
He rolls his eyes. ‘My mum would giveanythingto meet you.’
‘She has,’ I say drily. ‘On your wedding day. I was, “Bronte, there to do the photos”.’
He looks pained. ‘Yeah,’ he says, looking away. ‘I’m sorry about that.’
I sigh. ‘You don’t need to keep apologising.’ My voice sounds leaden.
He stuffs his hands into his trouser pockets and hunches his shoulders.
‘You really want me to come?’ I find myself asking.
He glances up at me. ‘Yes.’
‘Okay,’ I say.
What the hell have I got myself in for?
I end up buying new make-up as well as clothes, then insist we go back to Alex’s so I can get ready properly. My nerves intensify dramatically on the short drive to East Finchley, where Jo and Brian live. I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this. I stare out of the window with longing as we pass an Underground station.
‘Don’t even think about it,’ Alex warns. ‘They’re expecting you.’
‘Eek!’ I reply with a gulp.
He smirks and reaches across to take my hand.
I’m so nervous the electric shock this time barely registers.
Alex ushers me up the garden path. ‘I promise you they’re lovely.’ He presses the doorbell while I fight the urge to bolt.
A squeal comes from somewhere deep in the house. ‘Jo,’ Alex murmurs. Then the door whooshes open to reveal her husband.
‘Bronte!’ Brian exclaims, greeting me like an old friend as he sweeps me up in a hug. A second later he’s replaced by Alex’s sister.
‘I’m so happy to meet you at last!’ she gushes, beaming from ear to ear. She’s a bit taller than me with shoulder-length dark hair swept up into a tousled bun.
Alex’s dad is a tad reserved, tall and slim like his son with a chiselled jawbone and a perfectly straight nose, but he offers me what feels like a genuine smile as he shakes my hand and retreats.
Alex’s mum, Clarissa, however, with her startling, all-too-familiar blue eyes, greets me very amiably.
‘It issolovely to meet you,’ she says, clasping my hand in both of hers. ‘Alex has told me a lot about you.’
It takes all of five minutes for my nerves to dissipate. Alex wasn’t lying. I’m among friends, not enemies.
The day is a revelation. Some of Brian and Jo’s friends from their NCT group turn up with their little ones, and Alex and Jo’s aunt and uncle also join in the celebrations. Clarissa takes me under her wing when Alex is called away to repair a broken toy, and I feel oddly at ease in her company.
The warm feeling that has been expanding inside me is threatening to burst by the time we leave that afternoon. I feel better and more at peace than I have in years. I turn to look at Alex in the driver’s seat.
‘Thank you,’ he says, glancing at me.
