I held out my hand. ‘Call me Fliss, please. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Both of you,’ I said, taking Daphne in as I spoke. Doug looked down at my hand.
‘None of that here, lass. The way my two have been chatting about you, we feel like we already know you, don’t we, Daph?’
‘We really do,’ she agreed, laughing as she snuck a quick glance up at her handsome son. ‘Come on, give us a hug!’
I hugged them both, feeling the knots I’d tied myself in over the meeting already melting away. Jesse hadn’t told me much about his parents, apparently in contrast to the amount they’d been told about me, but it didn’t matter. They both had the same warmth that had emanated from Jules the first time I’d met her.
‘Yes, yes, hello, you!’ Doug said, bending down to fuss Ned. ‘I expect you’re looking forward to a nice bit of roast chicken, aren’t you?’
Ned’s ears pricked up and he began doing what I could only describe as a happy dance on the spot.
‘You said the magic word, Dad.’ Jesse laughed, bending down to give his dog a pat. ‘Go on, boy.’ He motioned towards the kitchen and Ned took off.
‘Come on through and Doug can get you a drink. What would you like? I do love your dress. Isn’t it beautiful? Jules did say you had wonderful style. I can see what she means now. Here, take a seat. Doug, where’s that drink?’
‘She hasn’t had a chance to tell me what she wants yet.’ He spread his hands on a laugh. ‘Although I reckon this might hit the spot.’ He turned back towards the fridge and a moment later had extracted a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. ‘What do you say?’
‘I say yes, please!’ I replied, hugging Jules and Pete before taking a seat at the well-worn, long kitchen table.
‘Good girl. Should always keep a bottle of Champagne in the fridge, I reckon,’ he said, busying himself with glasses and I realised where Jesse had picked up the habit from.
Jesse sat beside me, his hand resting on my knee. ‘You OK?’ he asked quietly.
I smiled and nodded. I’d been nervous but within moments, I’d been made to feel entirely at home – but better. I’d never felt this comfortable or valued within my own family and I felt a pang as Jules said something to her dad as she helped him with the drinks. He responded, taking her hand as he did so. The love in each of their eyes was clear and I couldn’t help but wish I knew what that felt like.
Jesse’s hand moved to mine and I snapped out of my daze, my gaze hooking onto his. He said nothing but the gentle squeeze of his hand said more than any words ever could have.
We didn’t leave until gone nine o’clock that evening, having been persuaded to stay for tea, Daphne insisting that we all must as otherwise, she and Doug would be eating leftovers for days.
‘So lovely to meet you, Fliss,’ Daphne said as I hugged her back tightly.
‘And you. Thank you so much for having me.’
‘Our pleasure, love,’ Doug added as I hugged him too. ‘Look forward to seeing you again soon.’
‘Me too.’ And I meant it. This had been one of the best days of my life. A wonderful Sunday roast with all the trimmings, and family around the table, talking, laughing, all enjoying each other’s company – and I’d been a part of it. I’d been made to feel a part of it and I knew I’d never forget it.
20
‘Goodness! It’s like a peacock parade out there.’ Gertie, one of the villagers I’d come to know through the time spent at Jules’ café, bustled in and plopped her shopping bags down at her usual table. ‘Hello, dear. How are you? Another warm one out there.’ Spring had now merged into summer and, although some of my newly discovered garden plants were struggling somewhat, the rooftop solar panels for the heating were coming into their own for hot water.
‘I’m fine, thanks, Gertie. You?’
‘Oh, not too bad, not too bad. Not part of all that wedding hoo-ha up at the big house, then?’ She cocked her head at the door.
‘No, nothing to do with me.’
‘That’s a shame. Jules said you had some lovely frocks, didn’t you, love?’
‘Talking about me behind my back?’ I asked, grinning at my friend.
‘Not at all. We were discussing your wardrobe. With envy, I might add. Do you want to try one of my chocolate shortbreads? It’s a new recipe.’
‘Jules, are you trying to distract me with baked goods?’
‘Is it working?’
‘Absolutely. Hand it over.’
