Claire’s smile was huge. “I’ve missed all this.” She glanced up at the door where Betty now stood. “And I’ve missed you most of all.” She bounded up the steps and wrapped Betty up in a hug that went on forever.
Oliver wasn’t sure they were ever going to separate.
Claire was supposed to be staying with his mum over the holidays, insisting that she didn’t want to turf Oliver out of his room, but looking at the two of them now, Oliver refused to let her go anywhere else tonight. The sofa was plenty big enough for him to sleep on.
Leaving them to their tearful reunion, Oliver turned back to the car to start unloading the luggage. It was then he noticed a strange car parked outside Ed’s house. Not that it necessarily meant anything—people parked anywhere there was a space, but that didn’t stop the niggle of uncertainty creeping under his skin.
Apart from his family and Aiden, Oliver hadn’t seen anyone else visit him.
Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have other friends, idiot.
Oliver shook his head, telling himself not to be such a jealous arsehole. It was none of his business who Ed had round. Besides, Ed didn’t strike him as someone who was used to having multiple partners on the go at once; he’d been reticent enough about getting involved with Oliver. Still, probably a conversation worth having.
Unless he goes sooner than you’re expecting, and then it’s probably a moot point.
Maybe that was another thing they needed to get out in the open. Oliver didn’t want to find out Ed was leaving with only a week or two notice. He wanted to be ready. Well as ready as he could be.
He’d obviously taken too long getting the boot open because his mum had joined him, her hand resting on his shoulder.
“Everything all right?” She glanced back to where Oliver was looking just as Ed’s front door opened.
A girl stepped out, smiling widely, laptop bag slung over her shoulder, Ed behind her as he saw her out. She gave Ed a little wave, then walked down the path to her car.
Of course.
Oliver never saw this side of Ed’s work because he was out all day.
“Oh,” his mum murmured beside him. “I see your taste in men has improved.”
“Shh.” He nudged her with his elbow, making her grin.
Ed spotted them, and Oliver had no chance of pretending he wasn’t blatantly staring at him, so he waved and beckoned him over. Waiting until the girl had got into her car before shouting, “Come meet my mum.”
“Let me get my keys.” Ed ducked back inside, reappearing a few minutes later with a coat on and presumably his house keys. Pulling the door shut behind him, he walked down his drive towards them, the smile on his face doing nothing to settle the butterflies in Oliver’s stomach.
Why was he suddenly so nervous about Ed meeting his mum? He’d wanted to introduce them to each other at some point; this wasn’t exactly unplanned.
“Ed,” he started when Ed got close to them, “This is my mum, Sam,” Turning to his mum and steadfastly ignoring the amusement in her eyes, he said, “Mum, this is Ed Middleton, Elise’s nephew.”
They shook hands and said their hellos, then, of course, Claire and Betty saw them and more introductions were made. Oliver wondered if Ed was starting to regret coming over. Neither his mum nor Claire were subtle in their appraisal of him.
When Betty started to get cold, Oliver ushered them all inside, insisting he’d be okay getting their bags.
“I’ll help,” Ed offered, earning approving looks from all three women, and Oliver groaned under his breath.
“You should come join us for a bit,” His mum said, smiling up at Ed like he was the best thing ever. Oliver sympathised.
Ed shook his head. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Oh nonsense,” Betty tsked at him. “Come and have a cup of tea. Oliver’s been baking again, and I know how much you like his cake.”
Oliver ignored his mum and Claire’s matching smirks. Jeez, those two could make a euphemism out of anything.
Ed glanced from Betty to Oliver. “If you’re sure I’m not—”
“You’re not,” Oliver said quickly, deciding, fuck it, they all knew about them anyway, and gave his hand a quick squeeze before letting go with a smile he reserved solely for Ed.
“Well, in that case. I’d love to.” His gaze never left Oliver. “Thank you.”
