‘Matching goose bumps,’ Nick said. ‘Crikey, Mum, where did you find these? I bet there aren’t many men who meet the girl of their dreams when they’re six then get reunited when they’re thirty-two.’
‘You were so right,’ Elise said, looking through the photos. ‘He’s Steven.’
I nodded. ‘It certainly looks that way.’
‘Steven?’ Callie said. ‘Who’s Steven?’
‘Long story.’
‘I’m in no rush.’
I cringed, but I already knew Callie well enough to know she wouldn’t let this go. ‘This is really embarrassing so I’m only going to give you the short version…’
I blushed once I’d finished.
‘She got the name right,’ Sue said.
‘What do you mean, Mum?’ Nick took hold of my hand and squeezed it.
Sue looked very pale. ‘When you were born, we named you Steven.’
‘Then how come we all call him Nick?’ It was Callie who actually said it but I’m sure it echoed what we were all thinking.
‘Because that’s the name on his birth certificate. Well, Nicholas is. Don’t you remember me telling you this?’ Sue looked at Nick but he slowly shook his head. She continued. ‘When I went into hospital to have Nick, my best friend and neighbour, Jen, was seven months pregnant. Unbeknown to me, she was rushed to hospital the same day and had a premature boy. We were in different hospitals with no way of contacting each other. Coincidentally we both named our babies Steven. Jen and Keith weren’t sure if their Steven would live so they registered his birth quickly, unaware we’d named our baby Steven too. When we found out, we hoped and prayed her Steven would survive and, assuming he did, John and I decided it would be too confusing being in the same class at school, having the same date of birth, living on the same road, and having the same name so we went for our second choice instead.’
‘Are you sure you told me this?’ Nick said. ‘It doesn’t ring a bell at all.’
Sue nodded. ‘You went through a phase of asking everyone to call you Steven when you were about five or six. Then you decided you wanted to be a girl and asked everyone to call you Keeley Fawcett instead.’
Callie gave a snort of laughter from across the room. ‘Sorry, everyone. Inappropriate moment as usual.’
‘Can I just check I’ve understood this,’ Elise said.Thank you, Elise!I was too shocked to speak myself. ‘Are you really saying that his birth certificate says “Nicholas” but he was actually born Steven?’
‘Yes. Frustratingly, Jen emigrated to South Africa when the boys were two and we lost touch so I could have stuck with Steven after all. Nick, are you sure you don’t remember me telling you this?’
He shook his head. ‘No. Although, scarily, Keeley Fawcett rings a bell.’ He turned to me, frowning. ‘Are you okay?’
‘A bit stunned. Madame Louisa was right all along.’
‘Looks like it.’
‘And I was right. You really aretheSteven.’
He smiled and looked at me so tenderly, I felt like I could melt.
A slight cough from across the room interrupted the moment. ‘I think it’s time we made our exit, don’t you Mum?’ Callie stood up and reached for her bag. ‘I think these two could do with a bit of alone time.’
‘Of course.’ Sue stood up too. ‘Congratulations to you both again. Nick, I’ll give you a call next week. Maybe I could have you both over for dinner when you’re settled?’
‘And I’ll give you a call, Sarah, because I need to know the full Steven story from start to end.’ Callie gave me a hug. ‘The more embarrassing the better. I think it’s important that I know everything about my future sister-in-law.’
‘Callie! They’re not engaged.’
‘Not yet, Mum, but look at them. It won’t be long. I bet he’s already picked out the ring and been planning the perfect proposal, haven’t you, Nick?’
Nick’s flushed cheeks made my heart race.Oh my God! He has!
‘What was that you were saying about leaving, Callie?’ Nick put his hands on her shoulders and marched her towards the door. ‘I think you’d better do that right now before you say another word.’
