Chapter 33
Jasmine stood over the Moses baskets, smiling tenderly at the two sleeping babies. She’d just fed them, whilst Robin was in the kitchen preparing for their visitors. As promised, Bunty and Perry were coming for dinner. Since bringing the twins home, Robin’s domestic skills had known no bounds.
‘You’re actually a decent cook,’ Jasmine had remarked.
‘Don’t sound so surprised. I lived alone for a few years,’ laughed Robin. He refrained from telling her that his diet had mainly consisted of ready-made meals from the local shop, or Sunday roasts at his mum’s. Still, even he had to admit his cooking had hugely improved, probably because he’d had to pitch in whilst Jasmine was occupied with the babies. Not that he wasn’t a hands-on dad, far from it.
Bath time was his favourite time with them. They loved the water as he gently splashed their wriggling little bodies. He pictured teaching them to swim in years to come, all of them enjoying family life on the bay. Robin, like Jasmine, felt blessed to be bringing their children up in such idyllic surroundings. Although they hadn’t been born and raised in Samphire Bay, they were so pleased it was now their home and the place where Barny and Jemima would spend their childhood.
There was a gentle knock on the back door. Jasmine went to the kitchen to see Robin welcome in Bunty and Perry.
‘Hi, come in.’
‘They’re fast asleep at the moment,’ said Jasmine, giving Bunty a hug. ‘How was Skipton?’
‘Wonderful, thanks,’ smiled Bunty.
‘Here’s a little something we bought there for the twins,’ said Perry, passing the wrapped presents.
‘Oh, thanks,’ replied Jasmine, deciding to open them when they were awake.
‘Hope you like chilli?’ asked Robin.
‘Lovely,’ replied Bunty, then added, ‘did you make it, Robin?’
‘I did,’ he proudly answered.
‘Chilli’s his signature dish,’ teased Jasmine, having had it quite a few times.
‘Practise makes perfect,’ chipped in Perry with a chuckle.
‘Come through, have a look at them.’ Jasmine led them into the sitting room, where the twins still slept peacefully.
‘Oh!’ cried Bunty on the verge of tears, leaning down for a closer look. Robin and Jasmine exchanged a warm smile. ‘Aren’t you just adorable?’ As if answering her, they both opened their eyes and gurgled, their tiny hands thrusting away. ‘Aww…’ Bunty was taken away at the sight of them.
‘Do you want to hold them?’ asked Robin.
‘I’d love to,’ replied Bunty eagerly. She and Perry sat down next to each other, while Robin and Jasmine gently passed them each a baby. Even Perry’s eyes began to fill when Jemima’s starfish hand closed over his thumb.
‘I can’t wait to become a granddad,’ he told them gruffly.
‘Well, I don’t doubt you will be, seeing how happy Emma and Felix look,’ said Bunty.
‘Ah, still loved-up then?’ asked Jasmine with a smile.
‘Very much so. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear wedding bells in the not-so-distant future,’ replied Perry.
Robin shifted uncomfortably. It bothered him that he and Jasmine weren’t married. This only made Jasmine laugh when he voiced his concern, but Robin couldn’t help the way he felt. Given his way, he’d have married Jasmine when first learning of their pregnancy, but had agreed to put it off, as preferred by Jasmine. But surely it was time now the twins were here? He looked towards her. She was totally oblivious to his unease.Maybe he should just take the bull by the horns and propose – produce a ring she couldn’t resist and name the day.
‘Let’s open the presents,’ suggested Jasmine and gave him a parcel, interrupting his thoughts. ‘Aw, they’re gorgeous!’ she exclaimed, lifting up the Peter Rabbit plush toy.
‘Thanks,’ smiled Robin. He tucked Flopsy Bunny into Jemima’s Moses basket. ‘Right, well, I’d better check on dinner.’
Once gone, Bunty grinned at Jasmine. ‘Robin seems very domesticated.’
‘He’s brilliant. I don’t know how I’ll cope when he goes back to work.’
‘Well, we’re always here to help,’ said Perry and sincerely meant it. He’d surprised himself at how the twins had affected him. He gazed down and saw two tiny blue eyes staring back at him and melted.
