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Grace sighed. “I’m regretting this already.”
“I regretted it the moment you suggested it.”
“So did I. I was merely being polite.”
I laughed and tugged her along with me. Mum had her hand over her eyes like she was a sailor looking for land on the horizon, and I knew she was about to shout for us to hurry up before the dog got out.
“Oh, Charlie!” Mum yelled, right as a little white-and-brown blur darted past her and headed in our direction.
Charlie darted towards us and launched his tiny self at me. His front paws swatted at my legs as he panted excitedly, his fluffy tail wagging furiously.
Honestly. He could fuel a power station with the way that thing moved.
“Hello, Charlie,” I cooed, releasing Grace’s hand to bend down and love on my family dog. “Who’s a good boy?”
Grace fought back a laugh as Mum folded her arms in the distance. “Not him, by the looks of it.”
“Eh.” I looked over at Mum. She was glaring at me. “She’ll get over it. This is Charlie.”
“I think I should probably greet your mum before the dog,” Grace said slowly.
“Yeah, maybe.” I patted my thigh. “C’mon, Charlie. C’mon. Hi, Mum,” I said when I reached her.
“You knew I didn’t want him out,” Mum said, raising her eyebrows at me.
She had this particular talent of making me feel about three inches tall.
This look was the precursor to that talent.
“I know, I’m sorry,” I replied contritely, leaning forwards and kissing her cheek. “Mum, this is my girlfriend, Grace.”That was weird. “Grace, this is my mum, Katie.”
Right.
Was I done here?
Charlie jumped at my legs again, and I shifted to the side to let Mum and Grace greet each other.
There was a hint of surprise in Mum’s voice when she said, “Girlfriend? Oh, it’s lovely to meet you, Grace.”
“You, too,” Grace said, almost uncertainly. “Should I call you Katie or would you prefer something else?”
I glanced up in time to see Mum smile so wide that the corners of her eyes crinkled. “Oh, Katie is fine,” she replied, clapping her hands together. “I would introduce you to my husband, but he’s not here.”
I frowned. “Where is Dad?”
“Your sister finagled him into getting one more suit fitting.” Mum was not amused if the dark flash in her eyes was anything to go by. “Like the previous four didn’t do the job.”
Grace pressed her lips together as if she were trying to hide a smile.
“Well, thank God I wasn’t here for that,” I said, flashing Grace a look. “She’s not looking for me, is she?”
“I have no idea what she’s doing. In all honesty, Will, I’m avoiding your sister like the plague,” Mum continued. “If I don’t, one of us isn’t making it to her wedding.”
“Let me guess. You brought her into this world, and you’ll take her out of it?”
“Exactly. I did, I can, and I bloody well will if she carries on.” She sighed. “No wonder your grandfather kicked her out.”
“It must be bad if you’re agreeing with Grandpa.”
