Page 84 of Life After

“Everything is fine, love.” Denise leaned in and kissed Jen on the cheek, then turned her attention to Suzanne and drew her into a hug. “It’s lovely to see you, Suzanne.”

“Likewise.”

“Come on. Follow me.” Denise angled her head towards the closed back living room door. “No use standing out here in the hall when all the fun is happening in there.”

Jen frowned. What fun? Since when did her mum have fun in the middle of the day…andinvite people over for said fun? “Come on, babe. Mum must have been drinking.” Jen winked and headed for the living room. She didn’t let go of Suzanne’s hand. Right now, it was the one safety she felt. Even though Denise had told her not to worry, that meant she was going to worry a whole lot more. As Jen stepped into the back living room, Grace was sitting at the dining table. “Oh, hey.”

Grace smiled, just about, and then it dawned on Jen. Dan had probably gone back home after they’d bumped into him outside Suzanne’s and proceeded to tell a pack of lies about her. She wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’d had something to say about Suzanne, too.

“Is…everything okay?” Jen asked, realising there was nothing to suggest Toby was here. “Is the baby okay?”

Grace smiled. “Of course. He’s fast asleep on the couch. Mum has been dancing around the living room with him for the last hour. Poor thing couldn’t keep his eyes open.” Grace pushed her chair away from the table and rose to her feet. “I didn’t want to tell you I was coming because I know you don’t like it when you think I’m sneaking around.”

“Mm. I have no other option, though, do I? Your wanker fiancé has made it perfectly clear what he thinks of me.”

“Jen!” Denise chastised.

“No, Mum. Jen is right.” Grace rounded the table and took Jen in her arms. “He is a wanker. I’m so sorry about the things he said, Jen.”

“H-how do you know about that?” Jen drew back but held onto Grace’s arms. “I mean, there’s no way he came home and told you himself.”

“Beryl from the newsagents. She overheard him in the street weeks ago, but I only found out about it a few days ago. He came clean when I challenged him, and then he said he’d seen you last week over on Belmont.” Grace eyed Suzanne and smiled. “You must be the woman my sister never stops talking about.”

“And you must be Grace. The sister Jen talks about often.” Suzanne smiled. “Suzanne. Lovely to meet you.”

“Let’s not stand around. Make yourselves comfortable.” Denise ushered the three of them into the living room, turning the TV off as Jen and Suzanne situated themselves on the opposite couch to Toby. He was spread out like a starfish with a cushion preventing him from rolling over the side. “He’ll be awake soon. He’s due to be fed.”

Jen smiled at her mum, then gave her attention to Grace once more. “So, what’s going on? Why have I been brought here? If Dan finds out?—”

Grace held up a hand. “Dan knows.”

“He does?” Jen was surprised by that. If Dan knew, he surely wanted to be here with Grace and Toby in case Jen decided to kidnap him and feed him drugs. She shouldn’t see the funny side of it, but it was all she had left where her sister’s fiancé was concerned. If she didn’t laugh, she’d cry. “Where is he?”

“He’ll be here soon. I’ve told him hehasto be here.”

Jen shook her head. “I’m not sitting here, in my childhood home, while a guy I don’t even know snarls at me from across the room. He can shove it up his arse for all I care.”

Suzanne lay a supportive hand on Jen’s knee. “If you don’t feel comfortable with him around, we can leave. Whenever you want, just say the word.”

Jen had just fallen in love with Suzanne all over again. “I appreciate the support.”

“I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. You shouldn’t have to feel that way in your own home. I won’t stand for it.” Suzanne leaned in and kissed Jen on the cheek. “But I could murder a cuppa if anyone else fancies one?” She turned her attention to Denise. “If you could show me to the kitchen, I’ll take care of them.”

Denise grinned. “Of course. Follow me.”

Jen watched Suzanne as she got to her feet. She was purposely removing herself from the room so Jen could be alone with Grace. “Thanks, babe. I’ll have a coffee.”

“Coffee. Got it.” Suzanne turned to Grace. “Grace?”

“Could I have a tea, please?”

Suzanne nodded and smiled, then followed Jen’s mum into the kitchen. The kitchen door closed behind her, so Jen watched Grace across the room. “He’s lucky I didn’t punch his lights out, Grace. I don’t care who he is…nobody speaks to me like that in the street.”

“Trust me, he knows. I’ve madesurehe knows what’s going to happen moving forward.”

Jen rested her ankle on her knee and sighed. “I don’t even know what that means.”

“I told him this morning that he seriously needs to decide what he wants here. It’s either me and mywholefamily or him on his own. I’m done with his bullshit. I don’t know who he thinks he is.”

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