Val nodded. “We were on the Tibetan border, arse-deep in swamp. The carts couldn’t get building materials across the wetlands, so we had to carry a lot of it on foot. Back then, I got paid for the work but he didn’t. He was surviving on his last farthing, so I took him to dinner and three weeks later we were married.”
Pember smiled, gently placing the photograph on the table. “That’s amazing. And this one?”
He picked up the second picture, wiping away the dust.
“Ah. After the wedding, of course there came the little ragamuffin to keep us on our toes.”
Pember brushed a thumb over the child’s face. She was dark haired like Val had been.
It was a candid shot of them all in a paddling pool. Earnie held the baby, whilst Val splashed about in a rubber ring. Looking at the picture caused an indescribable sense of melancholy to wash over him. They all looked so happy and at ease with one another.
His family had barely any photographs like that. They were mostly portraits taken by a photographer. He and his sister were always groomed to within an inch of their lives, and even his dad had to look immaculate. The perfect image of the perfect family. If only everyone knew what went on behind closed doors.
“You have a beautiful family,” he said, letting out a slow breath and putting the picture back on the table.
Val shrugged. “We didn’t always get it right, but we did our best. My daughter’s flown the nest and settled down. It’s all anyone could ask for.”
Cherry tapped the glass with her beak.
“She’s Earnie’s bird,” Val said, leaning across the table to brush a knuckle over the African Grey’s head. “We lost him threeyears ago to pneumonia. I don’t think either of us have been the same since.”
Pember blinked and worried his lip between his teeth. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Val gave him a gentle smile, patting the back of his hand. “Poppet, if anyone gets through life with their heart intact, they didn’t do it right.”
Pember’s bottom lip began to quiver. “You think so?”
“I do.”
His gaze drifted to the sink. “What do you think Earnie would say if he could see you and Cherry now?”
Val grimaced and knuckled the table. “He’d tell me to stop being such a slob.”
“And what would you say?”
She frowned and held up her hands. “I’d say, have you seen the state of my fingers? I can’t even wipe my own arse, let alone dust the place!”
Pember chuckled and spread his hands out over the table. “Will you let me help you, Val?”
She shook her head. “I don’t need help.”
“Everyone needs help.”
Val let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re just like him. A do-gooding busybody.” She jerked her chin towards Blake’s house.
Pember dropped his head and looked at her through his dark eyelashes. Giving her a lopsided smile, he said, “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Val’s eyes suddenly went wide and she leant back in her chair. A deep blush shot up her neck, bringing colour to her pale cheeks. “Don’t you be doing that, boy! I’m too old for you!”
Pember cocked a brow and wrinkled his nose. “Pardon?”
She levelled a crooked finger at him, her mouth opening and closing multiple times. “Don’t you be doing any of that omega mumbo jumbo! It won’t work on me!”
“Y-you… what?” he stuttered.
“Fine! You can clean the damned kitchen, but that’s it! You hear me?”
Not willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, Pember shot to his feet. “I’ll be right back,” he said, turning towards the door.
