Page 62 of Life After

“I did, actually.”

Thank God for that. It meant Jen wouldn’t spend the evening at Suzanne’s feeling guilty because her mum was home alone. “Good. Maybe even live a little and take a cab. Have a few glasses of wine and enjoy yourself.”

“Maybe I will.” Denise laughed and eyed Suzanne. “You’d think she was the mother sometimes, I swear.”

“I think you equally look out for one another. Jen has told me about the support you’ve given her recently. It’s admirable.” Suzanne topped up hers and Jen’s glasses of water. “These days, parents can be quick to cut their child off if they lose their way.”

“She’s my blood. I carried her for what felt like an eternity. I don’t have it in me to turn my back on someone so kind-hearted and beautiful.” Denise reached out and stroked Jen’s cheek. “You’re thriving now, my love.”

Feeling a ball of emotion swell in her throat, Jen quickly cleared it away and smiled. “Yep. Course I am.”

“And I don’t worry about you anymore. Not since you met Suzanne.” Jen knew how much her mum had worried since her release from prison, but she felt better knowing that worry wasn’t there anymore. She knew Denise would always wonder where she was and what she was doing, that was just the mother in her, but hearing her say what she just had meant that she trusted Suzanne. That mattered a lot to Jen. “You look…healthy. Happy, too.”

“I am. Stupidly happy.” God, she was happier than she had been in a long time. “You know, we should all go out for dinner one evening, Mum. My treat…since I owe you a million of them already.”

Denise rolled her eyes and tutted. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell her that she owes me nothing at all.”

“I think that’s just who Jen is as a person,” Suzanne explained. “She’s forever doing something really lovely.”

“Oh, yes?”

“Mm. I’ve lost count of the number of times she’s brought me flowers when she’s over at my place.Andshe knows how to pick them, too.”

“Oh, don’t get me started on the flowers. She’s always had an eye for the beautiful things in life.” Denise nodded towards Suzanne. “Case in point.”

As Jen looked to Suzanne, she caught her blushing. “She’s not wrong, babe.”

Suzanne shook her head. “Oh, stop it.”

“I’m serious.” Jen lifted a shoulder. “When it comes to people, I have an eye for beauty.”

Suzanne gave Jen a look that said, ‘keep talking, and it’s going to be your lucky night’. But she hadn’t complimented Suzanne for any reason other than because she simply wanted to.

Denise turned her watch towards herself and sighed. “Damn it. I only have a few minutes left on my break. I really don’t want to cut this short.”

“Don’t worry, Mum. We came here unexpectedly, and I know you have to get back to work.” Jen knew they had all the time in the world for Denise and Suzanne to really get to know one another. She sure as hell had no plans to introduce anyone else to her mum in the future. “We can always come and see you when you’re not working and have a brew. Maybe some lunch at home.”

“That would be lovely. I’d really like that.”

“Then it’s a plan. I don’t know when, but it’s definitely a plan.”

Denise got to her feet and smiled down at Suzanne. “It’s been wonderful meeting you.”

Suzanne also rose to her feet. She stepped around her chair and embraced Denise, melting Jen’s heart as she did so. “We will definitely see you again soon.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Denise drew back and eyed Jen. “I mean it.”

“You’ll be sick of the sight of us before long.”

Denise tutted as she took her coffee cup from the table and stepped back. “Not possible, my love. I missed your face so much when you were away that it’s going to take the rest of my life to fill that gap.” Denise leaned down and kissed Jen on the cheek. “I love you. Be safe.”

“I love you, too. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

“I know you will. You always do.”

Denise turned and walked away, leaving Jen sitting there with a chest bursting full of love. Just months ago, she was wondering if she would ever recover from her past, and now here she was…deeply in love with Suzanne and with a mother who cared a great deal about her.

“It’s beautiful to see,” Suzanne said, breaking Jen out of her thoughts. “Seeing the bond you two have…it’s truly beautiful.”

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