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“Hello,” she says, straightening. I know she’s terrified, but she’s so beautiful. The slight breeze lifts her red hair and stirs the fabric of her dress around her. She looks absolutely stunning.
“Catie!” My mother gets up and comes over to her. As I release Catie’s hand, Mum envelops her in a huge hug. “I’m so excited to meet you at last!” Mum says, moving back a little and holding her by the upper arms. “Goodness, Saxon, I know you said she was gorgeous, but you didn’t explain just how beautiful she is.”
“Words couldn’t describe,” I say, grinning as Catie blushes. “This is my dad, Neal.”
“Really pleased to meet you at last,” he says, shaking her hand.
“Likewise.” She smiles at him. “Your sons look very like you.”
“Definitely not the milkman’s,” Mum says, and Catie laughs.
“This is Brandon and Jenny,” I say, indicating them.
They both get up to greet her, saying, “Catie, so wonderful to meet you.”
“And this is Jackson,” I say, introducing Kennedy’s husband, a kind-looking guy in his early thirties with glasses and a thick beard.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” he says, “so good to put a face to the name at last.”
She shakes hands with them all, taking it in her stride, gives Kennedy a hug, and kisses Eddie, who pulls her hair and makes her laugh.
“Hey Kip,” she says to him, and he waves.
“I’ll have a hug if there’s one going,” Damon says, and he pulls her into his arms and hugs her.
There’s a flurry of activity then as we get settled, with everyone fussing around her.
“Neal, move Catie’s chair into the shade, would you? Her skin is far too delicate to sit out in the sun.”
“Damon, could you pass Catie another cushion, please?”
“Pongo, out of the way, boy. Let her sit down.”
“Do you want to put your feet up, honey? Brandon, push that stool over. There you go.”
“What would you like to drink, Catie? Anything at all—tea, coffee, or Pammy’s homemade lemonade is just to die for?”
I sit between her and Kip, trying not to laugh, and exchanging a grin with Kip at Mum and Dad’s enthusiasm.
Catie’s completely bemused by this point, but she gives a bright smile. “The lemonade would be lovely, thank you.”
“Pammy, can we have two lemonades please?”
A few minutes later, Pam brings them over to us, glancing at us as she puts the glasses on the table.
“Pam, this is Catie,” I say, “and Catie this is Pam, my second mum.”
“So lovely to meet you,” Pam says, shaking her hand. “We’re all so thrilled to have you here.”
“Thank you so much.” Catie watches her walk away, then smiles at Mum. “You have a beautiful house.”
“Oh, thank you, yes, it is a gorgeous place to be on such a nice day.”
“Before we forget,” Jenny says, “we have something for you.”
“Ooh yes, let’s do presents,” Mum says.
There’s another flurry of activity as a pile of presents is produced and laid on the table in front of us. “This is just for starters,” Mum says. “We saw a few things and couldn’t resist.”
