Michael

Ben rejoins me. “She seems a lovely woman, that Mitch. A bit withdrawn, but I suppose that’s understandable.”

“It’s very soon for her. I think she’d lost a lost of confidence, with her husband being as he was.”

Condemnation creeps back into Ben’s voice, “What was that all about? She left him?”

I cut him short. “He was knocking her around, Ben. When we got her out of there, the bastard had her on the floor. He’d have beaten the shit out of her if I’d not kicked the door in to stop it.”

His eyes widen. “Really? You don’t think of people really behaving like that, do you?”

Oh, get real…

“Whether you do or you don’t, just bear it in mind when you’re talking to her. She’s had a lot to cope with over the years and it’ll take her a while to readjust.”

Ben blinks rapidly, licks his lips. “You’re right. I jump to conclusions, don’t I?”

“Yes, you do. So make a few allowances, eh. Just try to be happy for people.”

Ben drops into silence, downs half his drink. “Did I catch it right, there are two brothers? But the other wouldn’t come?”

“That’s right. Stephen's a pig-headed bastard. Sees the world through blinkers.”

“What did they quarrel over?”

“As I understand it, he saw himself as head of the family. He was very controlling when Mitch was young. She ran away from home. He never forgave her.”

“That’s sad. What did she do after that?”

My throat tightens. Abruptly, my beer’s not so good.

What do I say?

Ben stalls. “Hey, was she pregnant with Charlotte? Is that why he wouldn’t have her back? How they became separated?”

“No, Charlotte came later.”

But Ben, narrow-eyed with suspicion, continues. “How old was she when she ran away?”

uncomfortable now, looking around

be away from home. What

me.

*****

Richard

grows quickly brighter; a

of chatterers lagging until

wife Charlotte, or Jenny as some of you know her, didn’t have a great start in life. It doesn’t get much worse

all through the years, Charlotte always hoped and believed she wasn’t alone in the world. After a lot of searching, we

across… “Mitch, come and

Charlotte gives her

however graceful her movement, her expression is awkward, embarrassed. As she stands beside Michael, he lays a hand on her shoulder, then

I don’t think anyone looking at the two of them could ever doubt we have mother and daughter here. Two generations of the same family. And when we throw in Beth as well, we’d all better

laughter ripples across

of Michelle… Shelley… Mitch… that we held this party. Michelle Kimberley.

raises his hands and silence falls

here, events have overtaken us. I have another announcement to make…” Voices murmur. Heads nod. “… because in fact, although it’s not yet obvious, we have here

Shy?

to being the center of

and walks across where he curls an arm

“Come on, look at everyone

with her top button, Charlotte looks

smiles… “I’d like to announce to you all that our Charlotte here is expecting her first child. A toast, please.” He

of grannies and aunts whoop and call. Hands slap onto Michael’s

to the back of the room where James stands silently watching the excitement. “You

He flashes

Sincere?

yes,”

I wondered if… Michael in the limelight…

that if and when it came to it, any child our Triad produced would have him as the official father.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “It doesn’t matter. The gift those two have given me in this is… beyond words.”

James filling up?

James?

around his eyes. He’s a bit red in the

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