“Then why does he keep making excuses to leave the house?”

“They’re not excuses. He does have a life outside of you, remember. A house, a business.” She says it as tactfully as she can without pointing out I am being unreasonably selfish.

“No.” I shake my head. “Something’s wrong. I’m going to try and talk to him tonight.”

“OK. But be gentle. This can’t be easy on him either. You two got together so quickly, he probably had no idea what he was getting himself into.”

“That’s just it, though; he does have an idea.” I shrug sadly. “He’s been through it all before.”

“What are you talking about?”

I tell her about his mother’s death and the effect it had on him.

“Oh.” She places a hand on her chest and looks stricken. “Oh no, that poor man.”

“It was pretty rough on him. So much so that he tried to stop himself developing feelings for me, because he knew what I was facing and couldn’t bear the thought. But he couldn’t help himself. He thought he could handle this, but now maybe he’s realizing he can’t.”

“Oh, love. That’s just terrible. But I can’t say I blame him. This isn’t an easy ask of anyone, watching you suffer.” She chokes on the last word and swallows hard. “You both need to have an honest conversation. See where his head is at.”

“Yeah. I know you and Dad were planning on sticking around for dinner tonight, but do you think you could make yourselves scarce? And take Kate and Amanda with you?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks, Mum.”

She stands back up and puts her hands on my hips, spinning me gently until I am facing the mirror again, with her face over my shoulder.

“You are so beautiful. Your father and I are incredibly proud of you. You know that, right?”

I nod.

“Honey, if James does decide this is too hard and he can’t be here for you, try to understand. See it from his point of view.”

“I will.”

“You’ve always got us. We’re not going anywhere.”

Her words echo my father’s, but I don’t torture her with the same reply. “I know.”

“Right, let’s get this dress sorted.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

When James gets home around seven I am waiting for him. Everyone has gone out, leaving us the house to ourselves. I have made the most of it by setting the outside table and decorating it with candles. Because it is still daylight outside the effect is lost, but I know later it will be romantic and atmospheric.

“Hey.” He smiles when he walks into the lounge. I am in the kitchen, having just poured him a cold beer when I heard his car pull up. “Where is everyone?”

“Out.” I pass him the beer and he takes it, gulping thirstily.

“All of them?” he asks after a long drink, wiping the froth from his upper lip.

“Every last one. We have the place all to ourselves.”