Page 63 of Electric Kiss

“Yeah. Not feeling the need to get dressed right now.”

“And you’re drinking tea. The next thing you’re going to do is dip a chocolate digestive into the tea.”

Daisy smiled at her mum, then dipped her head and concentrated on making sure the biscuit didn’t get too soggy and plop into the tea. She gave her mum a side-eye glance and ate the soft biscuit.

“Things must be bad. Tell your mum all about it.”

“They hate me,” Daisy said once she’d finished her biscuit.

“Who do?”

“My brothers.”

“Still?”

Daisy dropped her head and hummed. She had told her mum the truth as soon as it happened. She needed to be warned. All her brothers had Imelda’s number, but only as a next-door neighbour. Someone who would water the plants to collect a parcel for them.

“Have you had any messages from them?” Daisy asked.

“No. But then I wouldn’t expect them to get over it anytime soon.”

Daisy put her head in her hands and willed herself not to cry.

“I know they didn’t take the news well, but they’ll come around. Freddie raised good sons,” her mum coaxed on the other end of the video call.

Daisy grabbed the box of tissues from the side table and blew her nose.

She shook her head and then looked at her mum with watery eyes.

“No. They were so angry with me.”

“We talked about this, but I have to admit I didn’t think they would walk away from you.”

“It’s all gone horribly wrong. I thought I could be happy here. Make a life, fall in love, get married—”

“Hey, did I hear you upset?” Nate said from the entrance to the dining room.

He was out of shot but could see the laptop screen. Nate gave an eek face and went to step back.

“Is that him?” Imelda asked, grinning.

“Yeah, do you want to meet him?” Daisy said, a smile splitting her face.

“Better had if you’re going to marry him in a few days,” Imelda replied. “The last time I saw him, he was a baby.”

Nate rolled his eyes and then smiled. He ran his fingers through his hair and then turned to the picture hanging on the wall. Daisy watched as he tried to make himself presentable. She couldn’t care what he looked like, but straight out of bed was his best look.

“Come and meet my mum,” Daisy said and reached her hand out to him.

Nate walked over and stood behind Daisy, then bent to kiss her cheek and wrap his arms around her neck. Daisy instantly felt better and draped her arms over his.

“Hi, Mrs Turner,” Nate said and waved with one of his hands.

“Hi, Nate. I knew your mother,” Imelda said with a sad smile.

“Yeah, she said she knew you too. She said you were great friends before you had to leave. She thinks the same thing the rest of the island thinks. I haven’t told her anything.”

“I appreciate that, Nate. I’ll tell her some of it when I see her at the ceremony. Does she know I’m coming?”

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