Page 106 of Commitment Issues
Chapter Forty-Four
Freddie
“Will you come back with me to London?” Elliot asks as we walk hand-in-hand along the beach.
“I was hoping you could stay a couple of days, for the weekend at least, and meet my family.”
Please say yes…I want him to get to know them, and for them to get to know him.
He smiles, warmth filling his eyes as it fills my heart. “I’d love to, but your mum and dad… Would they be okay with us sharing a room?”
“They won’t have a problem with it.”
So many girlfriends and boyfriends have come and gone over the years, and neither of my parents batted an eyelid. Not that many were connected to me.
“Are you really sure? Because there’s one aspect they might not be too happy with.”
“What—?” He’s looking at me, one brow raised slightly as he waits for the words to sink in. “Do you mean the age difference?”
“I’m a lot nearer your parents’ age than I am yours, sweetheart.”
I shake my head hard. “No. The only thing they want for all of us, me and my brother and sisters, is to be happy.”
“And are you?” he says, his voice low.
I smile, before I answer him with a kiss. We make our way back to the house the way we’ve come, through the garden.
Music’s beating out from the kitchen, ’80s hits Mum loves so much pumping out. It’s loud, but not loud enough to drown out her squawking that’s meant to be singing.
“Mum?” I shout over the music, and she stops in mid howl, and turns, her gaze finding mine and Elliot’s joined hands, just for a moment, before she smiles.
“You’ll be staying the night then, Elliot? Good, you can help us eat the mountain of food and drink we’ve got in to celebrate Freddie’s triumph.” She says the word with a flourish.
And it is a triumph, I know it is, but I can’t help the sinking in my heart. The fact is, I am going away for a year. I can’t pass up this chance and it’s like the elephant in the room. Elliot and I have got to talk about it. Almost as though he’s reading my thoughts, he squeezes my hand.
“I will, if you and your husband don’t mind of course? And yes, it is a triumph and deserves to be celebrated. I know Oslo well, I do a lot of business out there so I’m going to be visiting. A lot.”
I turn and look at him, and see the quiet determination in his face. My heart settles and my nerves calm. There’s still so much to talk about, but for now the choppy waters within me have calmed.
“I’ve asked Elliot to stay the weekend.”
“An excellent idea. You could show Elliot the glories of the local area.” She quirks her head to the side and looks thoughtful. “There’s the petting zoo near Wadebridge. They’ve got a new donkey and he’s a great attraction. And there’s the potato museum, that’s riveting. And of course the new chip shop that opened up in the village back in the spring. The vicar’s nephew is running it. He was in the Scrubs for armed robbery. Or was it horse stealing? The nephew, that is, not the vicar. But a very handsome lad, he is. He’s been the biggest excitement around here for years.”
“Mum…” But my mum starts laughing.
“Or, you could explore our stunning countryside and wild coastline,” she says, with a warm smile. “But before all that, Elliot, I’m afraid you’re going to be subjected to Freddie’s brother and his sisters, along with his two nieces. And my husband. I hope you’re ready for that?” She levels her gaze at Elliot and there’s a challenge in her eyes. You take on one Jacobs, you take on all of us, it says. I hold my breath and only let it out when Elliot answers.
“I’m more than ready.” He meets her gaze, and they exchange smiles as though they’ve come to an understanding only they know about. The spell, because that’s how it feels to me, is broken when my Dad walks into the kitchen. He looks across to Mum, and something passes between them. Whatever it is, Dad’s happy with it as he sticks his hand out to Elliot. It’s greasy and dirty from all the cars he’s been working on, but Elliot doesn’t hesitate and clasps it in his.
“I’m Simon, Freddie’s dad. You’ve come for my boy?”
God, but I want the ground to open up.
“I have, if he’ll have me.”
“He will. Reckon you can do with a drink.”
Before Elliot can answer, Dad’s opening the fridge, and pulling out the beers.
