Page 79 of Duchess Material

“Well, but we’ve moved on and—”

“Everyone has moved on. They never move on. If the press knew Duncan had tried to land Vanna first, they’d still be running that story. They still run a ‘Vanna hates Bex’ story once a month.”

“No, it’s as if they think women can’t get on at all. That we’re always warring, Mummy. Don’t you know?” Nina looked unamused.

“You men could all die tomorrow,” Rita continued. “Vanna, Rebecca, and I would live out our golden years happily alone.”

“Brutal.” Winston snickered. “Mummy, that is dreadful.”

“Well, Bruno will outlive me, so I can make that joke.”

Bruno was a decade Rita’s junior.

“I’d rather not,” Bruno said, sweetly. “Life without you is—”

“Oh, stop it now. I love you, too!” Rita shook her head.

Bruno blew her a kiss. She ignored him. Winston found the jokes between Bruno and his mother endearing. There was something sweet about being so comfortable with one another. Winston had been lucky enough to witness his mother’s love story with Bruno from up close. Bruno slowly integrated into their family. He had been the father Winston and Gerry needed. He’d modelled how to treat a partner by always taking care of their mother. It was in stark contrast to the screaming matches, broken glass, and pushing around of his parents’ marriage. An image of his biological father shouting at Rita and grabbing her by the wrist, treating her like a ragdoll, was forever emblazoned in his memory.

Neither was perfect. His mother was wild and loud. She hosted big parties. Bruno was quieter, preferring smaller groups. Bruno adored Rita and put up with her neuroses, family drama, and the time she spent with Vanna. He loved the children. The boys never felt different to their younger sister. They were all his kids far as he was concerned. Winston had often been asked if he was jealous of Bruno when he’d arrived or if he worried Bruno would take his mother away. Instead, Winston was so happy to have someone to help take care of her. Rita had been through hell in the press. She was lonely and isolated at the time. Bruno brought her happiness and settled the boys into a routine.

“Winston, don’t worry. She’ll be fine,” Rita insisted, sensing her son was off in his mind.

“Oh, I know.”

“And you all are right?”

“Yes, Mum. We talked about having a baby,” Winston answered, immediately wishing he’d kept his mouth shut.

“I’m sorry… what?” Nina scoffed.

“I just… I meant… we talked about things… the future. We’re unconventional, okay?”

“I needn’t remind you, Winston you must have legitimate heirs, right? You don’t get to have a good time.”

Bruno gave his wife a humorous look. “Says the woman who gave birth to a child several months after she was married to husband number two.”

“Winston was born legitimate. We were also unconventional but… Winston, you must be wise. The poor girl has been through so much. She deserves a normal marriage and a child. If you can’t—”

Winston blurted, “I’d marry her tomorrow. I have been in love with her so long… that I’d do whatever she wanted.”

“What does she want?” Bruno asked.

“To be happy. She loves the life we’re building. She worries I am having a good time before I cast her aside. I never could. She’s everything I have ever wanted. There is no one I would rather see every day. It sounds delirious.”

“No, it sounds like you’re in love, Winston. And she is in love with you, or she wouldn’t have put herself through the wringer or dealt with your twenty-seven dogs. She always hated dogs, as I recall.”

“Mum, she loves the dogs. And we have five dogs.”

“See, they are already raising children!” Nina took the piss.

Winston flicked her off and she returned the gesture.

“Stop, stop.” Bruno admonished both.

“If you want to propose to Lucy, I won’t stop you. You’ve never been normal, Winston. I say that with love. Lucy is a grown woman who has lived a life. If she is interested in marrying in, I can assume she knows well what she is getting into. I adore her. I think she takes good care of you and you of her. I’m unconventional, too. I understand it.”

“Marriage isn’t everything, mother—”

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