Feck, how embarrassing!
I must make absolutely certain that my parents understand that Oliver and I have only just started dating, and not to jump ahead of themselves (I am totally determined to become Mrs Reynolds if it’s the last thing I do).
I quickly assure Oliver that my parents will not underanycircumstances read anything in to the kiss they have just witnessed (my mother will be searching for wedding venues and dresses by the end of the week) and that as parents, they are very chilled and laid back in such situations (my father has always dreamed of having a son, especially one so accomplished who can both help him with his taxesANDdefend him in a court of law should the need ever arise).
‘It’s okay. I can handle them,’ Oliver says, straightening to his full height.
He’s borderline heroic.
At the end of the evening, the event having been a success and the coach having dropped us all back at the office, Oliver walks with us to the villa and politely answers my mother’s intrusive questions. Mothers!
My father gushes like crazy about me and Ava working together and building a business. ‘I think you strong, independent, courageous women will do wonderful things together. I’m very proud of you both.’
My mother coughs, ‘Me too. Me too. Very proud of youboth.’ She flicks me an embarrassed smile.
And like a gentleman, Oliver declines the invitation of a nightcap, much to my father’s relief.
I have a flashback to the last time Oliver came to the villa. Him heaving two unconscious women over the threshold, and me trying to get him to take all of his clothes off and skinny dip in the pool with me.
Me and Ava share a secret look and have to stifle our giggles. Oliver might well be a bit upset with her over his ruined car and the defamation of character. But the truth still remains, that he is a complete and utter fanny magnet.
Then, while the others politely walk ahead to the door, me and Oliver lock lips like teenagers at the gate. He cups my face gently, tipping it to the side so that he can kiss my neck. Shivers run down my entire body with each tantilising touch. He kisses the other side which has me melting into liquid gold before his lips slide softly back to mine.
'I could kiss you all night,' he whispers. I feel exactly the same way. My every molecule is on fire with excitement.
When he finally leaves, because our lips are getting sore, I go into the villa to have hot chocolate and cookies - because my mother still thinks we are twelve. It is a lovely family moment. Our parents are clearly overjoyed.
I’m even in such a good mood that I allow Ava to share my room.
As we change into our pyjamas, I poke Ava gently, ‘I’m sorry I’ve been such a dickhead over the redundancy thing. I’m sure you wouldn’t have been able to do much about it.’
‘No, I’m the one who is sorry. I’ve been a complete prick. I never should have been so awful to you at work. I’m mortified at how I went on. I think I was just power-crazed and a bit jealous. Then Karen became like this dictator, and I basically had to do as I was told. She didn’t want to be seen doing any of the dirty work, so it was left to me. That’s no excuse for how I behaved, especially not to you.’
‘Jealous? Jealous of me?’ This can’t be right, surely?
‘Well, you always seem so together and focussed and good at what you do. University degree, good job and Dad always saying how great you are…’
‘Only to make up for how much praise Mum heaps on you all of the time.’
‘And that’s another thing I’ve always hated. She makes everything into a competition between us and I’m sick of it!’
‘Me too,’ I sigh. ‘Is that why you quit your job?’
We contemplate the weight of what we have just said to each other. All that time wasted not getting on.
‘How about we start again, eh? Nelly-Belly?’
‘On one condition, ABBA,’ I smile back. ‘You stop banging on about how you used to manage over TWO HUNDRED fecking people!’
‘Don’t forget it was across TEN REGIONAL offices though!’
Laughing, we make our way into the kitchen to see Dad working the coffee machine and our mother reorganising the fridge.
‘Who keeps asparagus in the salad drawer? It’s clearly a vegetable, for which there is a separate drawer. And who doesn’t put eggs in the egg tray? I mean that’s what it is for, for heaven’s sake. And who on earth puts milk lying down? It needs to stand up straight in the front compartment. And who puts ham on the top shelf and chicken below instead of creating a separate meat section… don’t get me started on the cheeses! Gordon, look at where they’ve put the cheeses.’
Ava shoots me a knowing look and has the good grace to look ashamed of herself. We both giggle.
Our father, emotional at the sight of us getting on, disappears behind the Costa Blanca newspaper. It has been far too long since me and my sister laughed together. Far too long.
