Charlotte stepped inside and hugged Debra. “Hi, Mum.”
Then Caleb slid past her and headed straight inside. “Hiya.”
There didn’t seem to be any immediate assessment of Billie standing in the middle of the living room, but she was sure it would come. She wasn’t exactly easy to miss.
She glanced at Billie, who still looked like the picture of calm, and smiled. Billie straightened, present without trying to perform. God, Debra loved her for that.
“Kids…” Debra cleared her throat as her heart started to pound. “This is Billie.”
Billie lifted a hand and smiled. “Hi.”
Charlotte and Caleb stood there, staring back at Debra and Billie.
“And I…uh,” Debra paused and took a breath. “Billie and I are together. We’re dating.”
The silence that Debra expected didn’t follow.
Charlotte lowered her overnight bag to the side of the couch, then smiled. “Okay.”
“I…what?” Debra’s brows drew together. “Just…okay?”
“Mum, it’s 2026. I don’t care who you’re dating as long as they treat you right.”
Debra could only stare at her daughter.
Then Caleb shrugged in agreement. “Yeah. That’s pretty much it.”
Entirely shocked by their reaction, Debra loosened her shoulders and sighed inwardly. She hadn’t realised how much she’d wanted their blessing until now. “You’re fine with this?”
Charlotte snorted. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
Debra opened her mouth, but she had nothing. She’d built herself up for confusion and questions. She’d expected snide remarks or sheer horror. Not…this.
Charlotte’s attention shifted and landed fully on Billie. “So, Billie…”
“Yes?” Billie straightened beside Debra.
“What do you do?”
“I own a tailoring house. Bespoke suits are my thing.”
Charlotte lowered her gaze to Billie’s shoes. “Those Italian?”
“I…yes. They certainly are.” Billie seemed impressed by Charlotte’s observation. “Handmade.”
Charlotte nodded slowly. “Cool.”
Debra pressed her lips together, suppressing a laugh. She’d forgotten to mention that Charlotte was studying fashion at university. Perhaps she should have led with that, and Billie wouldn’t have been marginally stunned.
Caleb shifted his weight, his hands shoved in his pockets, then surprised Debra completely by speaking again. “You make suits?”
“I do. I provide a women-only service over on Savile Row.”
Caleb nodded, impressed by Billie’s choice of career. “That’s actually kinda sick.”
Debra froze.
Kinda sick.
