Page 136 of The One That I Want

‘She’s a lot, but she is one of the best people I know.’

‘You’re one of the best peopleIknow,’ he says, scooping me into his arms. I don’t answer him because it’s impossible to talk when you’re being kissed.

EPILOGUE

GRETA

Three weeks later

‘I’m nervous. Why am I nervous? I’m a grown-arse man.’

I lace my fingers with Ewan’s and lean closer. ‘They willloveyou.’

‘Yeah, relax,’ says Tiggy. ‘They’re lovely people. Plus, you brought wineandflowersanda dog. Something for everyone. You’re golden.’

Ewan huffs out a short, sharp breath.

‘Ready?’ I ask.

‘Nope, not even cl?—’

He doesn’t get to finish the word because the door swings open and Mum’s frowning at us. ‘Why do you always stand out here instead of knocking? Come, come.’

She herds us inside but with four of usandRemy, it’s crowded in the entry.

‘Hallo,’ says Mum to Ewan, ‘you must be Harrison.’

‘Mum!’

How can she have made such an egregious error? The day after Ewan and I sorted things out, I told her and Dad –andRu– everything that had happened, including my ‘fibs’. Sheknowsthis isn’t Harrison.

A beat later, Mum bursts out laughing. ‘I am joking. Just joking, Greta. Always so serious,’ she says to Ewan. ‘Doesn’t take after me. Germans are very funny people.’

‘Oh god,’ I mutter.

‘She’s in fine form,’ says Tiggy low in my ear.

‘Ewan,’ she says deliberately. ‘So nice to meet you. I’m Margie.’

‘Hello, Margie. And this is Remy.’

Remy, who has been perfectly behaved so far, looks up at the sound of his name.

‘Oh,Liebling… What a good boy you are.’ She reaches down to scratch under his chin, while I try not to be insulted that Mum’s just given him the endearment she uses for me.

‘And we brought you these,’ says Ewan. He holds out the flowers and Mum pretends to have only just noticed them.

‘Oh, how lovely.’ She gives me a loaded look over the enormous bouquet.

‘Hello, everyone,’ says Dad, coming downstairs. ‘We’ve got quite the gathering this afternoon.’

‘Hi, Dad.’

‘Hello, lass.’ He gives me a hug.

And now I’m about to introduce the two most important men in my life – deep breath, Greta.

‘Dad, this is Ewan.’

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