Chapter Sixty-Eight
‘Your kids are a credit to you,’ said Liam.
The two of us were snuggled together on his sofa, sipping a glass of wine. Joy and James had since returned to university, but both had given their blessing about Liam.
‘He seems like a really nice guy, Mum,’ James had later said.
Joy had agreed.
‘It’s obvious from the way he looks at you, Mum, that he’s crazy about you.’
‘Do you think?’ I’d blushed.
‘Totally,’ James had said. ‘And it’s genuine. Not forced.’
Even though Liam had since declared his love, it was nice that my children had picked up on his affection.
‘And he has an amazing house,’ Joy had added. ‘So he’s definitely not a gold digger.’
I was both glad and relieved that the initial introduction had gone well and that the kids were happy for me. I looked adoringly at Liam as we continued our conversation.
‘Obviously I think my kids are fantastic,’ I said. ‘But then I’m biased. After all, they’re my children.’
‘And, um’ – Liam ventured – ‘did I meet with their approval?’ He sounded nervous, and I loved him even more for that.
‘They liked you enormously,’ I assured.
‘Phew,’ he said, blowing out his cheeks.
‘In fact’ – I set my wine glass down and turned to look at him properly – ‘I’d say it’s about time you met the rest of my family. Sally – that’s my sister – will adore you.’
‘I’m sure Victoria will love you too,’ he said. ‘She’ll be after girly shopping trips the moment I’ve introduced you.’
‘Er…’ I gave Liam an awkward look. ‘You didn’t ever tell her about-’
‘Ah, you mean, calling my sister Vampy Victoria and thinking she belonged to my harem of women?’
‘Um, yes,’ I muttered.
‘No, of course not. Not that there was ever a harem.’
‘Hindsight is always an amazing thing,’ I countered. ‘Also, Alice is chomping at the bit to know if there’s anything going on between us. She’s already given me a bit of a grilling.’
‘Alice?’ Liam looked alarmed. ‘If you tell her anything, you might as well employ the town crier.
I giggled.
‘I confessed I was seeing you soon, but said that lots of people would also be seeing you.’
Liam looked puzzled.
‘You’re talking in riddles, Jen. What do you mean?’
I arched an eyebrow.
‘You surely haven’t forgotten! I’m talking about when the sealed bids are revealed. The Starlight Society will meet at the community centre with’ – I posted quotation marks in the air – ‘any other interested parties.’
‘Ah,’ said Liam, as realisation dawned.
‘Do you think you’ve won?’ I said, fishing.
‘Yes,’ he said with a rueful smile. ‘I apologise in advance for upsetting you and the others. And don’t ask me what I bid, because I’m not telling you.’
‘I wasn’t going to!’ I protested, giving him a playful nudge in the ribs.
He caught my hand.
‘Listen, whatever happens, whatever the outcome, whatever the uproar that follows, promise me that it won’t affect us.’
For a moment, I simply stared at him.
‘I promise,’ I said quietly.