Page 114 of Spiralling Skywards
“Sorry if you feel like I’m pushing you, Bub. I love you and want you to be happy. We’ll go at your pace, I promise.”
I got teary instantly. I didn’t know why I was being such a bitch about things. This was a happy day. I was getting married. Liam was going to ask Grandad and my brother’s permissions first, then he was going to “propose” to me in private, and we would make the big announcement the following day. Obviously no one knew that Liam had already asked me, and I’d already accepted.
We both stood and I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“You’re not pushing me. My period’s due, I just need you to take off my bitch knickers so I can wear them.”
He slid his arms around my neck and tried to pull me closer, but Winston had wedged himself between us and was now sitting on my feet.
“Find a room, you two.”
I looked around Liam to see my brother coming towards us, Nan behind him. Liam couldn’t step away from me quick enough when he saw her.
Luke had driven up straight from work the night before and would also be staying the weekend. He loved it here, and although he’d never said as much, Nan had let slip that it was him that had paid for all the renovations that they’d had done to the place. He was also the one who paid a gardener to come in once a month and a cleaner to come once a week.
“Hey, Nan.” I ignored Luke’s comment and stepped around him to give Nan a cuddle. I swore she got shorter every time I saw her.
I breathed in the familiar sent of her Anais Anais perfume that she’d worn for as long as I could remember.
“Let’s take a look at ya, Sarah.”
She held me at arm’s length and inspected me as if I were something on sale that she wasn’t sure about buying.
She shook her head. “You get more gorgeous every time I look at ya. You lost some weight?”
“Don’t think so, Nan, but I’ll take it if you think I have.”
“So come on then. Introduce me to the Aussie fella I’ve heard so much about. Still curling your toes is he?”
Liam cleared his throat from behind me, while I glared wide eyed at her. What a traitor. Last time I’d been to stay, Sasha had been with me, and we’d sat up enjoying a few wines with Nan, discussing men and sex. I may have had a few too many and revealed things about my sex life that I had no right discussing with my seventy-six year old Nan.
“Don’t give me that look, Sarah. If he’s that good, I wanna meet him. Might even take him for a test run myself, so you better watch out.”
I stepped aside and reached for Liam’s hand so I could pull him forward.
“You’ll do no such thing, Nan. What would Grandad say if he heard you wanted to chase after younger men?”
“He wouldn’t say anything. He’d just be happy that they were makingmehappy and savinghima job.”
“Seriously, Nan, can wenotgo there?” I heard Luke say from beside me.
“I’m sure there’s plenty of men out there that would love to make you happy, Mrs Carter, but this one is very much taken. I’m Liam, Liam Delaney, Sarah’s boyfriend.”
Liam laid on the charm, giving her his best crinkle-eyed smile and a wink.
“Oh my days, would ya hark at that accent. No wonder you let this one into ya knickers! I wouldn’t even bother wearing any around him.”
“Nan!” I’m not sure who screeched her name louder, me or Luke.
“Oh shut up, the pair of ya, I’m just pulling your leg.”
She rubbed her hands together before holding one out.
“Less of the ‘Mrs Carter’. It’s Mai or Maisie, whichever you prefer.”
“Good to finally meet you, Mai. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to make it happen.”
“Get here and give me a cuddle, and I might let you off.”
