Baby It's Cold Outside

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‘Thing is, Dad, when Tansy arrived she didn’t come alone – she had her son with her.’

David may have been close to retirement but he was as sharp as ever.

‘Her son?’ he repeated. ‘And is he your son?’

Jamie slumped in relief that his dad finally knew.

‘He is,’ he said. ‘He’s mine. I didn’t have a clue until Tansy arrived.’

David sat in silence for a moment. I held my breath, not knowing how he’d react.

‘Bloody Nora,’ he said. ‘So you’re a dad?’

Jamie nodded.

‘And I’m a granddad.’

Jamie nodded again.

‘Are you okay, Dad?’ he said. ‘You’re not angry?’

‘Angry?’ David said. ‘Not angry. Just confused. Why didn’t she tell you she was pregnant? And why turn up now?’

‘Long story,’ Jamie said.

‘So he’s what – four years old?’ David said.

‘He’s five,’ Jamie said, unable to suppress a smile. ‘His name is Parker and he’s amazing.’

‘And how do you feel about this, Esme,’ David said. ‘Can’t be easy?’

‘It’s not,’ I admitted. ‘But he’s a lovely little boy.’

David turned his attention to Jamie again.

‘You need to tell your mother,’ he said.

‘I was hoping you might,’ Jamie said with a grimace.

‘Oh no, that’s your job,’ David said. ‘Tell her now – ring her. She’ll be spitting feathers that I knew first.’

‘You must,’ I said to Jamie.

Jamie took a deep breath, then he picked up his phone and dialled the number.

‘Mum,’ he said. ‘I’m here with Dad. I’ve just told him some news and I need to tell you too.’

There was a pause as his mum spoke.

‘No the wedding’s still on,’ he said. ‘Esme is right here. I’m going to put you on speakerphone okay?’

‘What’s going on?’ Barbara’s voice came out of the phone loud enough for us all to hear.

‘On Friday night, Tansy turned up out of the blue,’ Jamie said, speaking quickly so his mum didn’t have time to interrupt. ‘She brought her little boy with her, Parker. He’s my son, Mum.’

There was a pause.

‘Well are you sure?’ she said. ‘Can she prove it?’

‘Well no,’ said Jamie. ‘But the timings fit and he looks like me.’

‘And what does she want, this Tansy? Money?’

I felt a rush of affection towards my future mother-in-law.

‘Does she know you’re getting married this weekend?’

‘She does now,’ said Jamie. ‘She doesn’t want anything. She just wanted me to know Parker exists.’

I snorted. But quietly so no one would hear.

‘Esme?’ Barbara said. ‘Are you there? What do you think of her?’

Caught on the hop, I wasn’t sure what to say.

‘She seems genuine,’ I said lamely. ‘Parker’s great.’

‘Well I don’t know,’ Barbara said. ‘This all seems a bit fishy to me. You’re too trusting, Jamie. Always have been. I need to think about all this. David, are you coming home now?’

‘I’ll be there in half an hour,’ David said, making a face at Jamie.

‘Goodbye Jamie,’ Barbara said, then she rung off.

‘Well that went well,’ Jamie said, rolling his eyes.

‘Oh, J,’ I said, getting up and going to sit next to him. ‘She’ll come round. She’s just protective of you, that’s all.’

Jamie’s dad slapped him on the back.

‘Everyone’s just looking out for you, son,’ he said. ‘So where is this little boy? Can I meet him?’

Jamie looked thrilled.

‘Of course you can,’ he said. ‘I’ll get him.’

Jamie disappeared to find Parker, and David and I looked at each other.

‘Holding up?’ he said to me.

Once again I felt like crying at the sound of a friendly voice.

‘Trying to,’ I said. ‘It’s been a nightmare. Tansy turning up and now the avalanche.’ I looked down at my bandaged wrist and shrugged, desperately trying not to cry.

‘You’re strong, Esme,’ David said. ‘You’re doing so well. We’ll all help you and Jamie work things out.’

I smiled at him gratefully, as Jamie came back in, holding Parker by the hand, Tansy following behind.

‘Parker,’ Tansy said. ‘This is David. He’s Daddy Jamie’s dad. Which means he’s your grandpa.’

I felt David flinch a bit at the word “grandpa” but he didn’t show it. He smiled at Parker. He was brilliant with kids and I knew he’d try his best to make friends.

‘Hi Parker,’ he said. ‘I’m Grandpa. Isn’t it funny we’ve never met before now, but I think we’re going to get along, don’t you?’

Parker eyed him warily.

‘Slugs have four noses,’ he said.

‘But butterflies smell through their feet,’ David said.

They grinned at one another.

Suddenly I felt exhausted, achy and very close to tears.

‘I’m going to leave you to it,’ I said. ‘I need a bath and a lie down.’