by Annie Dyer
“Brought a friend, Im?” Shay gave me a look that told me he’d found his entertainment for the afternoon.
I couldn’t actually remember the last time I’d brought a date to meet any of my family, let alone a man I was about to introduce as my fiancé.
I glared at my brother, trying to communicate telepathically for him not to be a dick.
“This is Noah. And he’s a little more than just a friend.” I looked at Noah for support.
His arm looped round my waist, and I felt his fingertips press in reassuringly. Georgia was hovering closer, smiling at me like she was about to burst. I knew it would’ve killed her not talking about this.
Shay gave a nod. “I remember you from Immy’s school. Do you still play rugby?”
I sent a note of thanks to whichever deity was on duty that he’d reigned in his pissing parade. Shay was wonderful, most of the time, but he had a streak in him that was a pain in the rear.
“Sometimes,” Noah said, accepting the beer that Seph handed to him. “But I’m nowhere near as quick as I was when I was at school. I grew a bit more – upwards and outwards.”
“Didn’t we all.” Seph patted his still flat stomach. “If you’re free on a Tuesday or Thursday evening we have training and we could always do with new recruits.”
Noah nodded. “Sounds good. Wouldn’t hurt. I’m involved in a cricket team in the summer, if you’re interested in that at all.”
I backed away, figuring it was safe to leave them talking about sport, and headed towards where Georgia was waiting for me, Rose, her little girl, hanging off Seph while he was talking.
“So? Are you announcing it today?” Her whisper was stage-like, and we were far too close to my aunt Marie.
“I think so. Unless Shay turns into an arsehole, which can always happen.” I glanced at my brother again, but he, Noah and Seph were discussing a rugby game they’d all watched a couple of weeks ago. I had no interest in the sport.
“He won’t. How was the weekend?” Georgia had now managed to alter the stage whisper into a normal voice that sounded like we were discussing the weath.
“Good. His parents were nice, and they believed us. You know, the whole story.” Which was the problem: I was almost starting to believe it too. Maybe it was for the best that Noah had turned down coming to my room. It would complicate things, especially so early on. We had chemistry, but chemistry could burn out easily, and then we’d be left with the ashes.
Georgia nodded. “He likes you.”
“Course he does, I’m doing him a favour.” I cast a glance at him and wished I hadn’t. His dirty blonde hair and dimple were doing their thing, pulling me towards him like a magnet. I dug my heels in and didn’t move.
My lovely friend and colleague shook her red curls fiercely. “No, the way he is with you doesn’t look like it’s an act. He really seems to like you. He keeps glancing over at you.”
I shrugged, desperate to tell her about the kisses. “We have to make it look real.”
“Hmmm.” The look she gave me was more than annoying. “I’ve already said, you’ll end up falling for him.”
“No. Not going to happen. When all this is over, I’ll be happy to be married to my career.” I turned around and walked pretty much straight into Marie, her arms open, ready to pull me into a hug that always made me miss my own mother.
She smelled of Chanel and home, and all those things that made me feel safe, which only made me want to tell her everything, just so she could tell me it would all be okay.
“Your young man is very attractive, and he can’t stop looking at you.” She pulled me to arm’s length and assessed me. “You also look well. Better than you have in months. Now introduce me.”
I had no choice – there were some battles that you knew you would never win – so I lead my aunt over to where Noah was still talking, his attention going straight to me.
“Aunt Marie, this is Noah Soames. Noah, Marie Callaghan, was Green. My father’s sister.” I stood back a little, Shay and Seph carrying on their rugby talk with Max now there too.
Noah offered his hand straight away, starting up a conversation with my aunt with ease, asking her about Ireland and the farm, something I knew she never tired of talking about.
She switched the subject far too early in though. “So how long have you two known each other?” She looked from him to me and back again.
“Since school, but it’s only in the last few weeks we’ve been back in touch.” I glanced at Noah, feeling his hand go back round my waist, stepping closer to me. “But I have something to tell you.”
Her chin tipped up. Out of all my relatives, Marie was the one I most resembled physically, especially in our mannerism. “What do you need to tell me?”
“We’re getting married.”
There was a pause from her, almost like she was holding her breath, and then she relaxed, that low laugh I’d heard from her multiple times before echoing through the room.
“You know I married Grant after knowing him for just a few weeks? We were engaged after ten days. When you know, you know. Congratulations.” She stood on her tiptoes to grasp Noah in a huge hug, probably knocking the air out of him.
When she let go, she wrapped me once again in her arms. “Good to see you being brave, niece of mine. About time you enjoyed something more than work.”
When I stepped back, I saw tears in her eyes, that made them form in mine too, but rather than standing there feeling awkward like I normally would, the tall, wide man next to me was pulling me into his side and kissing the side of my head like we’d been doing this for years, an intimacy that felt both foreign and entirely right.
“That went well,” he muttered into my ear. “Although everyone’s going to think I’m punching well above my weight.”
I dipped my head, turning into his chest and softly pressing it against him. I wasn’t used to having someone by me at Sunday lunches, or other times. I didn’t feel alone right now, something I wasn’t used to.
“It’s the other way round.” I looked up at him and he pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose.
“You think that, and we’ll be okay. You going to announce it after we’ve all eaten, or just tell people as we go?”
There were more Callaghans here now, several bottles of prosecco open on the table, and much partaking already given that no one was pregnant or breast feeding -- a first for a long time.
“I’ll say something after we’ve eaten. Let Shay get a few drinks down him. If I work it right and he sits between Maven and Catrin, he’ll be deafened by their shrieks.” I’d spotted both my sisters as they entered. Catrin looked like she was recovering from a bad hangover, while Maven looked like she hadn’t been home since last night, which was a strong possibility.
Noah nodded, letting me go, but only to pass me a glass of prosecco. “I’ll ask the waiter to get some champagne on ice.”
“Do. That’ll distract them from asking too many questions.” I paused, feeling guilty. “Marie’s right, you know. Her and Grant got engaged within days of meeting each other. I feel like a fraud right now. They’re going to think we’re madly in love, just like they were.”
He pulled me in a little closer. I could feel eyes on my back from my sisters and cousins, desperate to find out more about what was happening.
“I’d rather you didn’t change your mind, but I get it if you have to.”
“I’m not changing my mind. It was my offer. I’m not reneging on it now.”
He caught my lips in a chaste kiss, playing the part perfectly. “Good. Try and enjoy it. Just pretend it’s all real.”
That was part of the problem. I could easily believe it was real.
“We were thinking Barbados. It’s a long flight for Lucy, but if we’re there for just over two weeks, it’ll be worth it.” Max had demolished two plates from the carvery. Vic had focused on the prosecco instead, probably to numb the fears around flying with a small child.
Luckily, the room we�
�d commandeered had an area big enough to stick some soft play equipment in, and create a playpen zone, the resources courtesy of Killian and Nick O’Hara, who applied what they’d learned in the military to keeping their offspring safe and contained.
Georgia had mentioned that she could do with that approach to Seph sometimes.
“I’ve always fancied Barbados,” Jackson had his son on his knee, letting him play with a book on the table, one hand supporting him, the other holding onto a pint. “Want company?”
“Can do. Book a villa.” Max shrugged. “May as well book a larger one, because as soon as Seph hears this, he’s going to be tagging along.”
“I’d argue against him coming, but he’s like a free children’s entertainer.” Max looked towards the play area, Seph in the middle of it all, one of Nick O’Hara’s twins on his shoulders.
Noah tapped my thigh. “Now’s a good time. Want me to announce it?”
He was right; everyone was engrossed in other things that were going on, the big conversations that were had while we were all eating having finished. “I’ll do it. My circus this time.”
I stood up, picking up my wine glass and a spoon, tapping the glass loudly until everyone was looking at me, including my sisters.
I wished I had told them already, wished I’d had the chance to do the sister thing where we sat round and giggled and made boards with dream wedding dresses and venues.
That wasn’t going to happen. Doing it like this meant there’d be fewer questions where I was one on one with them, and had to lie on my feet. Everyone being there for the announcement – and it was one of those Sundays when everyone was there, even Callum and his wife, Wren – meant they could discuss what they thought the answers were themselves.
I saw Shay fold his arms, his expression the same sort of serious as when our dad had caught him sneaking a girl out of his window one night when we were teenagers. He looked serious. I pulled my tongue at him, which at least made him smile.
“I have an announcement to make…”
“You’re becoming a lion tamer!” That was Seph.
“You’re giving me your Mulberry handbag collection.” Maven.
“Let her speak!” Claire was the voice of reason as normal.
I waited for them to be quiet. “I know it’s quick, and you’re going to be surprised, but Noah and I are engaged to be married on November thirtieth, at his grandfather’s estate in Scotland.”
There was a hushed silence, followed by a whoop-whoop from Ava, then all commotion broke lose, including a couple of crawling children who were upset with the noise – most of it coming from Seph.
Congratulations filled the air, along with the shrieks of my sisters – Cat managed to let out right down Seph’s ear – and the sound of champagne corks popping.
Shay was the only one who didn’t look amused. I headed to him first, letting Noah take the congrats of some of my cousins.
“Put your face straight. If you’ve got a problem, hide it until we’re alone and don’t spoil my moment.” I kept my tone quiet but fierce.
He rubbed his face, and I noticed how tired he looked. “Sorry, Im. I can never be enthusiastic about weddings. As long as you’re happy and he treats you like a fucking queen, then I’m happy for you. I’ll book that week off work.”
“Thank you.”
He managed a smile. “I want an invite to both the hen do and the stag do. Have you told the parents?”
I shook my head. “I’ll phone them later, and I’ll speak to Lainey in a minute before Cat calls her. You’re not going to lecture me about how quick this is?”
He laughed. “Like it would make any difference. No. Whatever suits you.” He pulled me into a big hug, a hug like no one other than Shay could give.
I didn’t let it make me feel guilty again. I pushed those feelings away and just pretended that this was real and I wasn’t just marrying a man as part of an agreement, I was doing it because we were in love with each other, and that was just a little too easy to believe.
Chapter Eleven
Noah
“Her Ladyship is most happy with you.” Gus sat down at my breakfast bar and moved the cereal I’d just poured myself to in front of him and started to eat it.
He’d just come off a shift and had stopped by on the way home to pick up a parcel that had been delivered to mine for Vivi’s upcoming birthday. Picking up a parcel obviously involved eating my breakfast too.
“What deed have I done to earn her rare approval?” I got another bowl out and poured more cereal.
“Found a woman she approves of. I think that’s pretty much an impossible feat. Me, Viv and the kids went over at the weekend and she was telling us all about Imogen. When are you introducing her to us?” Gus had never learned not to speak with his mouth full, and it was just as unpleasant a sight now as it had been when he was a kid.
“After she’s said ‘I do’.” I looked up from my breakfast. “Seriously, I know exactly what you and Robbie are like.”
Gus laughed, although he’d thankfully swallowed first. “How’s the wedding prep?”
I nodded. “A lot easier this time round. Imogen’s nothing like Carla, thank god. I couldn’t have gone through that again. We each have a list of things to do, and every couple of days we go through exactly where we’re up to.” It meant I could take the bulk of the big arrangements and work with the wedding planner, just using Imogen’s ideas on colours. She didn’t have time to go into the tiny details as she was bang in the middle of a case at work, which was fine, because I did have the time.
“Flowers, food, decorations – all sorted?” Gus narrowed his eyes at me.
“All done. The only things to sort now are her dress and the bridesmaids, pretty much. I think she’s chosen one, it’s just the fittings.”
“Invites sent?”
“All done. Helps to have people who can chase the RSVPs.”
“Not received my invite…” Gus poured himself more cereal, finishing the box.
I picked the box up and put it in the recycling bin. “Must’ve gotten lost in the post. That’s a shame.”
“Seriously, I’ve not had an invite.”
“You’ve not got one. I’m not inviting you.” I managed to keep my face straight as Gus’ expression looked genuinely shocked and then hurt. “Immy wants a classy do, and that definitely means you’re not invited.”
“Me and Vivi are the epitome of class. We’d have to leave the screaming banshees at home, but they’ll survive without us for a couple of days.” Gus tipped the remaining milk on the last of that cereal.
“Oh, Vivi’s invited. It’s just you off the guest list. And Robbie.” This was a gamble. Robbie had his invite, and had RSVP’d with the text ‘fucking too right I’m there’, because Lady S’ class had definitely been watered down for this generation.
I sat down opposite my eldest brother and enjoyed his irritation.
“If I’m not there, you’ll be the centre of society gossip for weeks.”
“That’s the plan. Then there'll be none about me and Imogen.”
Gus shook his head. “Bastard. Such a fucking joker, and I fell for it. Just wait until your stag do.”
“Not having one.” That was a hard limit. I’d been on Robbie and Gus’ as well as friends from university. They were messy, especially when said friends were part of rugby teams who had no hard limits of their own.
“Course you are. Who’s best man, by the way? Me or Robbie? It should be me – I’m the eldest.”
That was Gus’ usual trump card – being the eldest.
I shook my head. “Both of you. I couldn’t decide.” I hadn’t been able to decide which one when I was marrying Carla.
Gus nodded. “Excellent. I’ll take charge of the stag do. I need a free weekend.”
“July. Any weekend in July.”
“We’re in October.”
“I know. July gives you plenty of time to plan it.”
“Fucker.” He flipped m
e the bird and stood up. “Best get going. I promised Vivi I’d take the kids out for the morning.”
“You’ve just come off shift.” It was a Saturday, and Gus had just finished four days of eighteen hour shifts due to a staff shortage.
“And she’s had the kids all week. She’s got a hair appointment, and me and the kids are going to go and buy all the stuff we need for a birthday party for her this evening.”
I nodded, standing up too to see him out. Then I could lock the door and make sure he couldn’t get back in again.
“You have remembered it’s the engagement party at Alexandra Street tomorrow?” I expected him to have completely forgotten.
“Of course.”
“You’d forgot, hadn’t you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Vivi remembering doesn’t count as you not forgetting.”
He shrugged. “We’ll be there. I believe the kids have new clothes and we might even force them to have baths. Don’t you think I should meet Imogen before though? What are you doing tonight?”
“I thought it was a party for Vivi?”
“Join us. We’re having pizza, and I might even let her have a glass of wine.”
“You mean she’s getting pissed and you’re in charge of your children?”
“Precisely. And I get to drink at your do tomorrow. Bring Imogen tonight, and I’ll ask Robbie over too. At least she’s met all your family then – it’ll make tomorrow easier.”
“Fine. I’ll bring her. But no hazing.”
I’d booked a table for me and Imogen at a restaurant for tonight. We’d been seeing each other at least three times a week, getting to know each other better and planning out the various details of the wedding that we couldn’t delegate.
My biggest regret was that I hadn’t met her again two years ago, because the more I got to know Imogen Green, the more I wondered if she was what I’d been missing all along. She made me laugh, she liked eating out and watching old westerns, she was interested in what was happening in the news, and had no time for reality TV other than to laugh at it. Unlike Carla, we had stuff to talk about, and also unlike Carla, I craved spending time with her.