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I laugh. “You’re going to love him, then.”
The universe shines down like a dream on me today. Josh’s tea is enough to impress, and my parents take a tour of our place before they take a seat in the living room. Time for the conversation. They grill Josh, and they grill me some more, but slowly, slowly, the conversation turns to other matters. Belgravia. The workout equipment, the best exercises to do for you back muscles. Sports. Flowers in the courtyard. And then us. Me and Josh. What are our plans?
I could cry with happiness when my boyfriend holds me to his side like the proudest man on the planet.
“Your daughter is the greatest woman there is. No offence meant, Debbie,” he laughs. “Honestly, whatever my plans are, or wherever they lead, they will include Ella’s along with me. I wouldn’t let her go for anything. I would run into a burning building if she asked me to, or climb Everest if she wanted some photos for her timeline. I’d even watch Nighttime Whispers ten thousand times in a row.”
My fucking God, I could poke him in the ribs, especially when Mum leans back on the sofa and says I love that show, too.
It feels like we’re awaiting a verdict. The thumb up or down from the Emperor and Empress after a gladiator battle. I hold my breath, waiting. I know the signs. I also know the words that will give the result.
“Shall we have another cup of tea, Deb?” Dad asks, and she nods.
“Yes, please,” she says to Josh. “If there’s one going.”
Holy fuck, it’s a success. It’s a fucking success. I want to leap into the air with joy, I really do. I squeeze Josh’s knee as he gets up with an of course and heads over to the kitchen.
I lean towards Dad when the kettle’s on.
“So? Do you like him?”
He shrugs, pretending he’s still thinking about it. “He seems alright.”
“So does the guest room,” Mum says. “I think we could try it out for a night or two, what do you think, Ted? I’d quite like to.”
He looks over at Josh in the kitchen – my stunning boyfriend making tea, just the way they like it.
“Yeah, ok, we can give it a try,” Dad says, and then he reaches out and squeezes my shoulder and my heart soars to the sky. He doesn’t tell me he’s proud of me, but I can see it in his eyes and the small nod he gives me.
I nearly lunge at Josh in happiness when he delivers the fresh tea.
“Mum and Dad are going to stay with us for a few nights,” I tell him, and his face lights up like mine.
“Really?” he says, and looks at them. “Wow, that would be an honour.”
We relax into the sofas, all set for another round of getting to know you questions, but Josh wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“Ted, Debbie, it would be incredible if you could do me another honour,” Josh says. “My parents have invited you to Sunday dinner next weekend. They’d love to meet you, and my mum makes insanely good Yorkshire puddings.” He meets their eyes, one after the other, imploringly. “I’d really appreciate it if you could join us.”
Dad smirks, just a bit. “Yorkshire pudding is always a winner,” he says, and looks at Mum, who nods at him. “Fine, count us in. I hope your mum makes a good cup of tea, too. If she was the one that taught you, she’ll do alright.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Josh says with a laugh. “And her apple crumble is to die for.” He pauses, and looks at me, with an expression worthy of a cringey romance movie. “Just like your daughter is.”
Under any normal circumstances, I’d roll my eyes, but not today.
It makes my parents smile, and that is enough to die for.
Epilogue
Three months later
Last time I took a flight to Sydney, I was all alone, and the twenty-two-hour journey seemed to stretch ahead into the distance.
But not today, with Josh at my side, and his hand gripping mine. I feel on top of the world as the plane rockets down the runway and lifts us up into the sky. Top of the world. Ha. Yes. Literally.
“You ok, baby?” he asks, and I grin before I look out of the window – the UK disappearing down below. Farewell Belgravia for three weeks. Luckily, we haven’t got a Cockapoo puppy yet, like we’ve been debating.
“I sure am ok,” I tell Josh. “Couldn’t be better.”
