Page 86 of King of Clubs

Returning to the dining area, I saw Seb hugging a woman who looked like an older version of Eva. Her eyes held the same almond shape and her hair was equally as dark and as soon as he released her, she spotted me. Her face immediately warmed and she walked towards me with her arms outstretched.

“Marlee, it is so lovely to meet you,” her embrace was warm and she smelt like ginger and sugar. “I hope you like gingersnaps because I made about thirty of them.”

“Hi,” I said smiling, “I’ve never tried them but they smell delicious.”

“Good. Because it’s your job to decide who makes them better.”

Seb groaned, running a hand through his hair and I shot him aplease explainface, but he only shook his head with a sigh.

“Do not let her persuade you, Marlee,” Eva called as she placed a tray of cookies on the table. “Mine are cinnamon and they’re much better. Ask your boyfriend.”

“Oh, pish posh,” Judy replied before excusing herself to use the bathroom.

As soon as she was out of sight Eva whispered, “Mine will be better but I will understand if you lie.”

Oh God. I’d been thrown into the middle of a family bake off and had to choose between his mother and sister. As if I wasn’t already nervous.

Before I could contemplate my escape, perhaps through the fire escape, an older gentleman carrying a six pack of beer appeared. As he walked towards me, Seb and Eva both took a noticeable step back and watched.

“You must be Marlee, I’m Toby.” He grinned and I felt my eyes widen before I composed myself and shook his outstretched hand. Seb and Eva, who were apparently children, were both silently laughing behind their hands and I intentionally sucked my teeth before answering which only sent them scurrying back to the kitchen, laughing louder.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Toby. Let me put that beer in the fridge for you.”

By the time Seb headed to the door to grab the food I couldn’t remember why I’d been nervous. Eva was as lovely as I remembered and Judy treated me as though we’d known each other for years. She and Toby sat side by side at the table and when he spoke, her face would soften like a woman whose day started and ended with him. It was obvious they loved each other.

Eva and Judy were each telling me the story behind their cookie choices, often at the same time and with no regard for each other, when Seb appeared with dinner. Excusing myself to use the bathroom before we ate, I quickly washed up and reached for my phone. Arna and Flick would be desperate for an update by now and I wanted to tell them this was not an overbearing mother situation before eating. I quickly scanned the absolutely hilarious advice they were giving me for winning over mum, none of which was appropriate, and told them I would give them a voice clip with all the details later, before returning to the table.

Everyone served themselves a plate and again, the conversation was effortless. There was an ease to their dynamic and a level of mutual respect which was comforting. Judy had done a fine job raising her children alone and it was clear she held them both in high esteem. Her face fell ever so slightly when Eva talked about moving to the city next year, but she masked it well, a skill her son had mastered from her no doubt, doing her best to be happy for her daughter and the new opportunities she would have.

When the cookies were served and I was asked to determine the most delicious, I genuinely couldn’t decide. They were both unbelievably moreish and regardless, Iwas notgoing to be selecting a winner.

“Honestly, how am I supposed to choose a favourite? They are both delicious.”

“Oh, come on, mine are way better than Mum’s,” Eva pouted.

“I taught you everything you know, girlie,” Judy said with a smirk as she handed the other half of her cookie to Toby.

“I’m the worst cook, truly. I’d love to be able to bake like this,” I admitted, reaching for another one of each.

“Seb can bring you over for our next family dinner and I will teach you how to make these. They’re unbelievably easy.” It was such a kind gesture I simply nodded, the comfortability of being within such a loving family environment enough to make my heart ache for my parents.

“They love you,” Seb whispered in my ear with a brief kiss to my cheek and I leant into his touch. I noticed the way his mother watched us fondly and for the first time in such a long time, there was a comforting glow surrounding my world. It was a feeling of contentment and it started with the man beside me.

I headed into the kitchen to clean up while Seb walked his mum and Toby downstairs and Eva ducked to the spare room to put her pyjamas on. Seb was going to make us cocktails while we relaxed.

Family dinners were always so special with my parents and it was with a soft fondness that I remembered the way my mother set the table while Dad and I talked all things Hearts. Tonight brought back some of those memories but not with the familiar ache I’d become accustomed to. Seeing Seb with his family, reminded me of the whispers of joy I’d so often experienced with my parents. And instead of feeling sad, I felt lucky.

“Will you be offended if I zone out and watch some horrifying five-minute craft hacks before we have a drink?” Eva called and I shook my head to the empty kitchen with a laugh.

“Only if you share any good ones with me,” I smiled, both at how comfortable I felt around her already and the fact she was myboyfriend’ssister. I had a boyfriend.

“I can tell by that answer you’ve never watched any. They're shocking. But they help me zen out. I getpeople poopedso easily and just need to recharge.” I looked up at her as she reappeared, ready to make a joke about how similar she was to her brother when the cloth fell from my hands.

No. No. No. No. Not happening.

My breath hitched and I lent forward, gripping the bench for support. She ripped the pastel green headphones from around the neck and put them on the bench with a heavy clang.

Her voice was muffled, battling with the foggy wave moving through me as I fought to remain upright.

---