“Just be thankful they don’t live close by, otherwise she would be here on your doorstop in ten minutes flat.” He chuckles as he starts down the hallway to the spare room as well. I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, stopping, then starting up again. Pulling it out, I see Mum has already called three times, one after the other. Sending her a message is the only way to stop this.

Forrest: Ignore Flynn, Mum. He thinks he’s funny, but he’s not. I have Harper, who is Felisha’s best friend, just staying in my spare room for a few days. There is nothing to it.

As I shove my phone in my pocket and head down to the room with the last suitcase, I feel a message notification on my phone in my pocket. I know it will be Mum because it would have taken her that long to type it out.

Mum: You said you were getting a delivery, but you didn’t say it was a girl. I love Harper and she is perfect for you. I think I need to come for dinner.

“For fuck’s sake, I’m going to kill you,” I say, looking at Flynn who is smirking, knowing it will have been from Mum, so I say my reply out loud as I type it. “Sure, Mum, Flynn said he and Felisha will join us too. He will cook for us. I’ll be in touch with a date. Bye.”

“What have you done?” He is glaring at me now.

“Checkmate, little brother. The four of us are now having the pleasure of dinner with Mum and Dad, here, and you get to play chef again.”

“Oh, touché, I will give you credit for that move.” Flynn starts laughing now.

“Ummm, so why did we get dragged into this? They aren’t our parents,” Harper grumbles, clearly still in a pissed-off mood.

“Call it payback for the punishment you are about to inflict on me. Besides, they are Felisha’s future in-laws, so she has no choice.” I lean against the doorjamb.

“You two boys are awful. I’ve met Maurice and Marion, and they are so sweet. Your mother just wants her sons to be happy and loved. So, I will happily have dinner with her anytime. And if she wants to be involved in the wedding, I’m sure we can find her a little job that will make her feel important, can’t we, Harper?” Felisha is trying to lighten the mood in the room.