Page 64 of Never Too Late to Date

‘I’m sorry… I’m so sor⁠—’

The second ‘sorry’ dissolved into a storm of tears. Fighting the racking sobs that overtook her body was useless. It was better to wait until they had subsided. A tissue was thrust into her hand, this time by Christian. But again, no hint of a smile.

A particularly noisy nose blow had them both staring at her again. After a few more sips of water, she couldn’t put it off any longer. Standing up and facing the music was what they both deserved. She kept one hand on the table to steady herself.

‘I’m so sorry it had to be like this.’

Neither man moved an inch.

‘But yes … it’s true.’

She turned to the slightly taller of the two men, stood still as a statue.

‘Christian, you are Giannis’s biological father.’

‘No!’

It was Giannis’s shout that echoed round the room, the anger in his voice clear.

‘I’ve already got a father. A father who’s always been in my life, a father who loves me.’

‘I know, Gianni mou, I know.’

‘Don’t mou me, Mama. Not now. Not after what you’ve done.’

Christian’s face was white as a sheet under the overhead lighting.

‘Suze, how could you keep it a secret? Why didn’t you come to me?’

Her world was going black again. She slumped back into the chair.

‘Please, I will explain everything to you both. But not now.’

She turned to look at her son, pleading with her eyes for him to show her some love. Giannis was the one whose life would change the most. Her revelation had swept away everything he knew about himself. His beloved dad hadn’t had any part in creating him. He was no longer half Greek by birth, but one hundred per cent British. He was so proud of being Greek. On top of everything, that would be one of the toughest things to bear. Christian had had one big shock, that was for sure, but it was her son she needed to protect.

Suzie got to her feet again and looked Christian in the eye.

‘Gianni and I are booked on a ferry back to the island tonight. There’s a car coming for us in ten minutes. The best thing to do would be to leave as planned. I was never going to the party if I’m being honest. But people will be expecting you to go. Give me your number, and I’ll call you tomorrow.’

Christian’s laugh was harsh.

‘If you think you’re doing your disappearing act again, you’ve got another think coming. We’re going to sort this mess out once and for all. I’m coming back with you. Now you’ve landed this bombshell on both of us, I want a chance to get to know my son. You owe me that at least.’

Giannis’s silence was loud in the room.

Suzie knew enough about Christian to know he wasn’t going to back down. Maybe getting both men out of the city was the best option. She had one hell of a lot of explaining to do either way. The hurt in Giannis’s eyes tugged at her heart, as did the blind shock in Christian’s. This wouldn’t be an easy fix, for any of them.

‘OK, fine. Do you need to speak to anyone before you go?’

Christian wagged his finger in front of his face.

‘Oh no, I’m not letting you out of my sight. We all go together. I’m sure there are hotels on this island of yours that I can book into, and I’ll have my luggage sent on. All I need for tonight is a toothbrush.’

A text on her phone told Suzie the car was waiting.

‘Right, let’s go now then, while everyone’s at the after party.’

Both men nodded, faces stern. It was like looking at the pair of antique china dogs that had faced each other on the mantelpiece in her parents’ house, almost identical but with slightly different markings. She’d pay good money to see the dimples on either of the men’s faces again, instead of disapproving glares. She picked up her bag and pulled her heavy suitcase out of the wardrobe.