“You’re moving to Glasgow.” Mum. Trying to compute the facts in her head.
“To Kilmartin. To the school. I can live there with Fox if we’re married. It’s the right thing to do, for now.”
“It’s 2026, darling, nobody needs to be married for anything. And when are you planning this wedding?”
“I don’t know!” I tried to be calm, when on the inside I was having all sorts of panic.
“So, you need me to plan a shotgun wedding, get your house rented out, and how are you getting your things up to Scotland?”
Thank God. On board.
“Please, Mum. I need help. I still need to work and Fox is so busy, and I don’t really know where to start.”
“Johan at the golfclub owns a rental agency. He’ll do the house. I’ll ring him.”
“Thanks,” I breathed. In and out. Family. This was the whole point of that word. Having people help you through the little things when they were just too big to tackle. Making the big things small. The HUGE ones manageable. Like this.
“So. We need a venue. I’m assuming you want this done like…yesterday? I know you, darling, no patience at all when you have your mind set. So. We have the Garden Hotel down the road. Dull, in my opinion. The Greenshaws’ wedding was a disaster. Scotland, Noah. What does Fox want?” Mum had already picked up a notepad and pen, taking a sip of her wine before making bullet points. A list. Titled Noah and Fox with a heart.
“He…doesn’t mind. If I can give him options, that would help us.”
“Kilmartin village. Does it have a venue?”
“I don’t know, Mum!”
“Well, leave it with me. Gosh, this is exciting, isn’t it, Derek?”
“Thrilling,” Dad replied, tapping on his phone. “Johan will sort the house; I’ve given him your number. Simple. And Tarek from the club has family in Oban. I’ve asked for recommendations for venues.”
“Fabulous. See? We’ve got it all in hand. How is the lovely Fox?”
“He’s good, Mum. The school is great, he’s really busy, and…”
“We’ll come visit, don’t you worry. You said there’s a hotel? We can book.”
“You should. Fox would like that, if you came to visit.”
“Oh, we will. Derek, are we still free the weekend after next?”
“Mum!”
“Oh shush, we’re pensioners. Let us have fun, and Scotland is lovely in autumn. Did it snow when you were up there?”
“No, it was actually nice and warm. Cool at night.”
“Derek, are you googling the hotel? See if they have a room. We’ll need a rental car. How was the drive up?”
“Should you not ask Fox first?” My dad was the only sensible person in the room. That was obviously clear.
“Nope. He’s our son now, so we can go see him if we want.”
I had to smile when I should perhaps just have banged my head against the table.
“You know how proud of you we are, don’t you?” My dad was…great.
“Noah, we couldn’t be prouder. We love you, we love Fox and whatever mischief the two of you are up to? We’re on board. It will be fine. And if it all goes funny somewhere? Nothing we can’t handle, what do you say, Derek?”
“I think it’s good. No hanging around just for the sake of it. Get married. Have some kids. Be happy. That’s a solid plan, Noah. I agree.”
