Alex shook hands with everyone, making easy conversation. Gina was clearly already sold on him. Even my dad gave me a little look that seemed to intimate something. I wasn’t sure what but he seemed pleased so I just took it at face value and carried on.
Once everyone had taken their seats and the boys had settled a little more, a toast went up and champagne levels went down. Our orders were taken and we all munched on olives, breadsticks and sun-dried tomatoes as we waited for the starters to arrive. I saw Alex’s eyes take in the Tiffany bag at my place setting.
‘Are you going to open it?’ Amy asked, trying to peer into the bag.
‘Later, if that’s OK?’ I flicked my glance to Charlie. He nodded. As I turned back, I caught a glimpse of something in Alex’s expression. A tightening of his jaw. But the next moment it was gone and I wondered if I’d seen anything at all.
‘Alex, do you have a James Bond car?’ Liam asked during a momentary lull in the conversation.
I saw Alex’s glance flick to Charlie and then to me.
‘No.’ He smiled. ‘I don’t. Wish I did, though. They’re really cool, aren’t they?’
Liam nodded quickly in agreement. ‘Charlie has a James Bond car.’
‘I know he does. Nice, isn’t it?’
‘Mmm hmm.’ Liam returned his concentration to his drawing and it seemed that his questioning was done.
‘So, where did—?’
‘Auntie Libby?’
Or not.
‘Yes, Liam?’
‘Is Alex your boyfriend?’
I could see smirks all around the table, including one on Alex’s face.
‘Umm, well…’
‘I am,’ Alex filled in.
‘Oh.’
I waited. Experience told me that my eldest nephew and his enquiring mind weren’t done with me yet.
‘But couldn’t Charlie be your boyfriend instead of Alex, Auntie Libby? Then we get to go in his James Bond car.’
A second of silence descended on the table.
‘Ouch,’ Alex said.
‘Alex drives a police car!’ I blurted.
Like a lot of small boys, Liam and Niall had an affinity for anything that had sirens.
‘Are you a policeman?’ Niall asked.
‘I am.’
‘Is your police car here?’ Liam asked, his interest in Alex now a little more piqued.
‘No. We have to leave them at work but maybe Libby could bring you into the station one day and I can show you all round it, if you like?’
Two small boys whipped their heads to me. ‘Can we, Auntie Libby? Please?’
