Page 45 of Paper Roses

“That’s just because all of this is new. Everyone feels like this during their first renovation. You get confidence the more you deal with things, and you’re doingfine.”

“Really?”

Pulling back, I cup his face in my hands, feeling the sharp bones of his cheeks under my fingers. “Really.” I stroke down his face, burrowing my fingers in his silky hair. “You’re amazing,” I say again softly, aware of him lifting towards me. I’m lowering my head to kiss him the way I’ve dreamt of doing in my empty bed every night when footsteps sound on the street.

I look up and freeze.

“Whatnow?” Artie says.

His disgruntled voice would make me smile if I wasn’t watching the Titanic of disasters about to occur.

“Ohshit,” I breathe.

“What is it?” he asks frantically.

I turn his head gently to face the street where a red-haired lady is walking briskly. “Do you see that woman with the cross face who’s approaching the house?”

“Yes,” he says a little uncertainly. “She’s not another neighbour, is she?”

“I wish,” I say grimly. “That is my mother.”

“Oh shit.”

“You can say that again. By the look on her face, I’d guess she knows we got married.”

seven

. . .

artie

I watch the lady coming up the street towards us. She looks nothing like Jed, in that she’s small and red-haired, but there’s something about her fierce expression that reminds me of him.

As his words sink in, I shift so I’m standing behind him. He shoots me a wry look. “Don’t reproach me,” I whisper. “She’s your mum. If there’s trouble to be had, she can find it with you.” Then I remember that he’s in this mess because of me. “I want you to know I’ll be very supportive,” I add quickly. “Just from a distance.”

This amuses him, because he bursts into laughter that’s merry and full-throated. I stare because Jed in full-on merriment is a rare sight.

His mum pauses, her expression softening as she looks at her laughing son. I let out a relieved breath and smile.

“Well, that’s a sight I don’t see too often,” she calls.

I give a muted squeak as Jed throws his arm over my shoulders and draws me close to him. His body is big and hotagainst mine. “Can you play along with me?” he whispers into my ear while nuzzling it.

I shudder at the feel of his warm breath on my neck. I want to curl into him and never leave. I realise he’s waiting for an answer and drag my attention back to him. “What?”

“Can you pretend that we’re lovers?”

It’s sonotwhat I thought he was going to say. “I beg your pardon?”

His mum is nearly on us, and he whispers desperately, “Can you pretend we’re in love, and that’s why we got married?”

Before I can reply, his mother stands before us. “Well?” she says, glaring at her son. “Is it true?”

“Is what true?” Jed asks, bending forward to kiss her. He towers over her, and as she hugs him, I can read happiness in every inch of her body. This is what a parent should look like when they see their child. Not the way my father always did—nervous and wondering what I’d done to upset his wife this time.

They pull apart and she slaps his arm gently. “So, I was at Asda this morning and I bumped into Sally Barker. I think her daughter works for you. Ingrid?”

“Yes, that’s her,” Jed says quickly, his face nervous. “She’s a very good receptionist. A little noisy, but she’s excellent at her job.”

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