Page 24 of Before You Say Goodbye

“She’s here with Bowie,” Emma said meaningfully, chopping a carrot rather viciously. Autumn winced. Apparently their revelation hadn’t been entirely forgotten. Maddie raised her eyebrows in surprise. She made Autumn feel nervous and she didn’t know why. She seemed sweet and polite, but Autumn could sense a sisterly protectiveness that made her feel shaky already. Bowie nudged Autumn supportively with his elbow. Marley locked his gaze on his brother and winked when their eyes met. Though she hadn’t been aware he was tense, Autumn felt Bowie relax a little beside her and wondered what it felt like to have consistent, unwavering support.

“Nice to meet you, Autumn,” Maddie said. “Cool name, by the way.”

Their sister picked up a knife and busied herself cutting up cucumbers beside their mother. The room was silent, the atmosphere claggy and uncomfortable. Autumn stared at her drink. She felt on edge and wished someone would do something to change the mood in the room.

“So, how many of you are there altogether?” Autumn asked, when she could no longer stand the silence. She already knew, of course, but she just wanted someone to say something.

“Five,” they all replied together.

“And two parents,” Emma added.

Autumn nodded. “So, there’s Bowie and Marley, Maddie and Bluebell . . .”

“And Pip,” Marley and Bowie said in unison.

“Our lovely surprise child,” Emma said.

“He’s the cutest thing ever,” Maddie added.

“He’s a little shit.” Marley shook his head.

Bowie concurred. “He has these girls wrapped around his little finger.”

Emma laughed, rolling her eyes.

“He’s wonderful, Autumn,” she said. “You’ll love him. These two are just jealous.”

“We are.” Bowie nodded. “And that’s because Pip is Mum’s favourite.”

“I don’t have a favourite,” Emma said. “I love you all. Very much. In different ways, but in equal amounts.”

“Lies.” Bowie and Marley chimed in together. Their words were equally fervent. Autumn laughed. Maddie smiled knowingly at her.

“They do that all the time. You’ll stop noticing it after a while.”

The women went back to chopping veggies, and Bowie and Marley lost themselves in thought. Autumn felt her anxiety returning, but, before they’d fully descended into awkward silence, she was startled out of her dread by a bell in the hallway.

“That’s the elevator intercom,” Bowie murmured to her, squeezing her knee affectionately. Marley was watching them. He smiled.

“Is that my invisible boys I hear?” a gruff voice called from the hallway. The twins answered with a loud, identical laugh. Autumn heard the removal of shoes, and then a middle-aged man entered the room. His thick brown hair was shoulder-length and his eyes were a lovely shade of golden brown. It was abundantly clear who Maddie resembled. He hugged his wifeand his daughter, then greeted Bowie and Marley with a kiss on the cheek. Autumn thought it was sweet. Her own father was against kissing anyone, never mind other men. Bowie made the introductions this time.

“This is our dad, Ben.”

He took her hand to shake, watching Bowie expectantly.

“Dad, this is Autumn.”

“Lovely to meet you, flower. You’re a friend of Bluebell’s, right?”

Autumn smiled and nodded. She found herself wishing Bluebell had not discussed their friendship with her family quite so much. She waited for Bowie to correct him.

“And mine too,” he said.

“Oh!” Ben said, raising his eyebrows. He sat beside his daughter and nodded at Bowie, pointedly ignoring Emma, who was fishing for his eye across the island. Marley smirked.

“Well, my love,” said Ben. “Welcome to the family.”

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