The Marriage K.L. Slater (classic romance novels TXT) 📖

until they’d be leaving. I’d forgotten what a scheming, sly personality she hid underneath that dull, humble exterior. I turned away from her to the collection of bottles on the countertop. ‘I bought a couple of bottles of fizz for us.’ I winked at her, the warmth of the alcohol relaxing me. ‘You’re already a glass behind me, let’s put that right.’

I poured Jill a drink, aware of Coral standing over by the door, arms folded, her face pale and furious. I didn’t offer her a drink on purpose, didn’t want her in here listening to everything that was being said. But of course, she was intent on supervising Ellis, making the boy nervous and jumpy.

Tom and Robert were silent. They glanced at Coral’s sour face and Jill’s miserable expression. This had the makings of a really great party.

‘Everything OK, Brid?’ Tom said meaningfully. ‘Need me to do anything?’

‘Nope. Everything is under control, thanks for asking though.’ Jill hadn’t offered to do a thing. ‘In fact, everyone can take their seats at the table.’

Everyone moved towards the table which I’d dressed simply with white linen napkins, candles and grey Portuguese stoneware plates. I watched as Jill picked up the Robert Welch cutlery and inspected it for smears.

‘Something certainly smells delicious,’ Robert remarked, inhaling deeply. ‘What’s on the menu, or is it a surprise?’

‘Not at all,’ I said, pleased he’d asked. ‘We’ve got a super-green risotto to start and then butternut squash and spinach curry for main.’

‘It’s an all-vegan menu,’ Tom said proudly. ‘Bridget’s got an amazing imagination when it comes to plant food.’

‘I’m very much looking forward to sampling it, Bridget.’ Robert beamed.

‘Really?’ Jill fixed him with a glare. ‘I thought your opinion of vegan food was that you might as well eat dry cardboard?’

Robert laughed lightly, clearly embarrassed.

‘Maybe it’s the way you’re cooking it, Mum,’ Tom said and I wanted to kiss him.

‘I can pass on the recipes if Robert enjoys them, Jill,’ I said with relish. ‘Tom can’t get enough of my cooking.’

‘No thank you,’ Jill said shortly, nostrils flaring. ‘I prefer to stick with classic food, I’m not one to follow fads.’

‘Glass of cola, Ellis?’ I called over, gleeful my comments had obviously hit home. ‘Hungry?’

‘I’m OK, thanks, Nan,’ Ellis mumbled. ‘I’m not hungry at all.’

I took pity on him. ‘Tell you what, you go and sit in the snug and play your game for an hour while we eat, sweetheart. That’s the best plan.’

Ellis immediately turned on his Nintendo Switch.

‘He’s had his gaming hour already today, Bridget,’ Coral said tightly.

‘Has he?’ I smiled at him. ‘Well let’s give him an extension, shall we?’

‘Ellis, turn it off now, please,’ Coral said, ignoring my comment.

Jill took another swig of her Prosecco and perched on a stool, enjoying the show. Ellis didn’t look up from his console.

‘Ellis!’ Coral said, her voice full of warning.

‘In a minute!’ he snapped at her.

‘Hey, chill, buddy,’ Tom said.

Ellis wheeled around. ‘You’re not my dad, you can’t tell me what to do, and I’m not your buddy.’

‘Wow, seems everyone’s an expert here tonight on Ellis’s behaviour.’ Coral stood there challenging us all, holding court as if this was her house and her party.

‘Coral, why don’t you go home?’ I turned to her. ‘I wanted to include you tonight, but you obviously don’t want to be here. Ellis can stay over.’

‘I’ll go with pleasure,’ Coral said. ‘But Ellis is coming home with me.’

I shook my head. ‘He isn’t going anywhere.’

‘Yes he is! Ellis, get your coat.’

Reluctantly, my grandson shuffled forward a few steps.

‘Go upstairs to your room if you like, Ellis,’ I said, and, eyes darting between me and his mother, he suddenly rushed out of the kitchen. Coral stepped forward and I squared up to her, fury coursing through my veins. I felt so angry, but I forced myself to back off before I throttled her.

‘Come on now,’ Tom said smoothly. ‘Let’s all take a breath.’

‘Please don’t undermine me again in front of Ellis,’ Coral told me, clearly trying to make a point in Jill’s presence. ‘You know he isn’t allowed to—’

‘For God’s sake, Coral, pipe down!’ I snapped. ‘We’re here to have a good time. Take a chill pill, will you?’

I turned away from her and saw that Jill’s glass was empty. I picked up the bottle and topped her up. ‘So what are you up to these days, Jill? Tom says you’re working.’

My heart was racing but I’d be damned if I’d let Coral see she’d got the better of me.

‘Yes, I’m in retail,’ she said. ‘In the centre of town.’

‘She helps out for a few hours at the Second Chances charity shop,’ Robert kindly provided. ‘Do you know it?’

‘Actually, yes,’ I said, wanting to laugh out loud at Jill and Robert’s differing descriptions of her job. ‘I do.’

‘Some super things in there. Last Christmas, Jill got her dress—’

‘Robert, nobody wants the boring details of my wardrobe,’ Jill interrupted, slugging back half of her drink in one gulp.

‘On the contrary, it’s fascinating,’ I said, amused that nobody else seemed to notice her constant irritation with me. I topped up her glass again.

‘I think there are far more important things to discuss.’ She snatched up her drink. She was becoming careless and rude.

‘I’m going up to check on Ellis,’ Coral said. ‘I really don’t want him buried in that game for hours on end.’ She left the room. I was heartily sick of her attitude. She was selfish and ungrateful and it was about time she heard some home truths about taking people for granted.

‘She worries far too much about that boy,’ I said as I carried the food over to the table. ‘He’s a sensible lad, he’ll work it all out in his own time.’

‘Some of us prefer to give our boys boundaries, Bridget,’ Jill said tightly. ‘Rather than treat them as adults before their time.’

‘Mum!’ Tom hissed.

Saying nothing, I placed the tureen of risotto on the heat mat and returned to the kitchen counter. An awkward silence descended before Jill spoke