He’d often wondered how he’d react if he did ever meet her again. Whether the anger would have lessened, the resentment diminished. But no. Seeing her standing in that church made him realize he still felt exactly the same. And he was oddly glad about that. Gareth liked to know where he was. He relished certainty.

He just wished he could feel so sure about Jack.

About what he’d told them the night before.

Could it be a phase, or was he being naïve? What were people going to say? What were they going to think? That he wasn’t a good enough father – that he hadn’t brought his son up to be a proper man? Jesus, what was he turning into – one of those parents who couldn’t handle their kid being gay? They didn’t even use the word ‘gay’ when he was younger. Horrible words they’d used – poofter, Nancy boy, and worse – all bandied around like a joke. He felt ashamed of that, thinking back. Nasty. That’s what he was. And small-minded, and deeply disloyal. To his own boy. He sighed.

And ran his fingers along the lettering on Georgia’s headstone.

Love.

That’s all that mattered really.

That Jack found love.

With whoever he chose.

Deep breaths. He watched as a goldfinch flitted around the gravestones in search of food. It landed on the hand of the little marble cherub and rested there, before fluttering its wings and taking off again.

It was time to head off himself. Time to collect Judith and go home. Back to their wonderful son.

38

Judith

At the Kellys’ house, Judith found a corner in Huw’s conservatory and spent the time talking mainly to Cat’s Nana. Occasionally she looked up and did a quick sweep of the room to ensure that Lana hadn’t wandered in by accident. Though if she had, Judith wasn’t entirely sure what she’d do about it. She’d been on edge since she arrived and couldn’t wait for Gareth to come back and collect her. At least she could say she’d done her bit.

Liz Kelly approached, carrying two plates piled high with crustless sandwiches, and thrust them at her, daring Judith to refuse.

‘Well now, isn’t this grand?’ she said. ‘What a super day.’

Judith nodded back, not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm.

‘It’s all about Romy, of course,’ Liz went on. ‘But I was just saying to Huw, what a treat to have you and Lana and Catrin together again. What a treat.’

Judith was unsure how to react, but didn’t want to be rude. ‘I can’t remember the last time I went to a christening,’ she said feebly, taking a huge bite of sandwich. ‘Mm, these ham and egg are delicious, Liz.’

Please don’t make me start talking about it.

‘Oh, there you are!’ said Catrin as she bustled into the conservatory holding a very contented Romy in her arms. ‘You haven’t had a photo with the star of the show yet!’ And she handed Romy to her godmother, who was suddenly all ham, egg and baby with nowhere to hide. ‘Come out the front. Dad’s got the camera ready.’