‘Natasha,’ groans a petite dark-haired woman in the crowd. ‘Can younothave these conversations about my brother when I’m around?’
‘At least he hasn’t flashed his bits all over the internet,’ Natasha returns lightning quick. ‘Not likesome peopleI could mention. Some people and theirmighty aubergines.’ Laughter and sniggers break out around us again as Natasha leans in. ‘Anytime you like, I can hook you up with some really interesting internet links.’
‘Oh. Thanks?’ Something tells me, despite the veggie references, this isn’t produce porn,
‘Let’s just say, Ivy’s husband isn’t only famous for the blockbusters he stars in. He has an interesting line in home movies, too.’
Her words, and her resounding nod, are heavy with meaning. But as the bad boy movie star strolls towards us, I find I can’t speak. My head does a double take, even though he doesn’t look so swaggery and so superstarry as he walks towards us with a wriggling toddler balanced on his hip.
‘Here you go, mama,’ he says, handing over the dark-haired child to the petite brunette.Ivy, obviously. ‘One slightly less stinky boy with one clean diaper.’ His adoration for his family is obvious as he kisses his wife on the temple and tickles his son’s chubby legs to the boy’s delight.
Catching my gaze, Ivy smiles kindly. ‘If we’re waiting on that lump to introduce us, we’ll be grey-haired grannies.’
‘I was gettin’ to it,’ Mac grumbles.
‘And where’s Louis?’ she demands suddenly.
‘He’s with Ma. Being introduced to all the other grannies, having his pockets filled with sweeties, no doubt.’
‘I haven’t even met him properly yet.’
‘Is it my fault he was in bed when you got back last night? Oh,’ he adds, throwing a theatrical hand to his chest. ‘So sorry I didn’t bring him to LA, your Highness. But some folk have to work.’
‘There’s no need to be fatuous,’ she returns.
‘It’s facetious,’ Mac growls.
‘No, I was right the first time,’ she volleys back.
As Mac opens his mouth to reply, Dylan cuts in.
‘Mac. Good to see you.’ One arm still wrapped around his wife, he holds out his hand. ‘Don’t worry. I washed ’em,’ he adds with a smile.
‘Dylan.’ Mac’s tone is less than impressed. And... I’m apparently not important here. ‘Oh,’ he adds, following a pause pregnant with disbelief. ‘This is Ella.’
‘It’s lovely to meet you,’ Ivy replies sincerely. ‘You must have the patience of a saint to put up with him.’
‘For the love of all that is holy,’ mumbles Natasha. ‘Here, give me wee Al. You two need to go and clear the air. Jesus, I’m like the Ban Ki-moon of bloody Auchkeld,’ she mutters in an undertone, taking the small boy from his mother’s arms.
I thought she was addressing Mac and Dylan, with maybe Ivy and myself to tag along as referees, but as Dylan’s large hand lands on my shoulder, I realise she meant only the siblings.
‘This has been a while coming. I think we’d be better steering clear.’
‘Aye,’ exclaims Natasha. ‘Firecrackers, the pair of ’em! Or maybe just crackers.’
‘I’m Dylan, by the way.’ He holds out his hand for me to shake. And, wow, is he handsome. More so even than he is in magazines, the movies, or on TV. And though I’ve no idea how he looks in his home movies, I could imagine. Very easily.
‘H-hi,’ I stammer as our fingers touch. ‘I’m Ella.’
‘I know. I’ve heard all about you,’ he says with a wink.
My heart plummets, because he can’t mean...
‘Seems you had the same unorthodox introduction to the family as I did. And yeah, I do mean a naked one.’ He chuckles at my horrified expression, carrying on. ‘You should know there are very few secrets in this neck of the woods. And at least you didn’t have Ivy standing behind her dad like I had Mac.’
‘He never said—’
‘No, I expect not.’ His expression clouds. ‘They’re not as close as they once were. That’s kinda my fault. But, hey,’ he adds brightly, ‘we’ve all been looking forward to meeting you. Ivy especially, and I should tell you, Fin is a big fan.’
