‘That’s right, we go back a long way, don’t we, Erin?’
‘Pleased to meet you,’ said Ed, leaning over and shaking Roisin’s hand. ‘I would say Erin’s never mentioned you before, but it wouldn’t make any difference. She’s never mentioned any of her old friends before.’
‘Wonder why that is?’ Roisin raised her eyebrows. ‘Erin’s got her reasons, no doubt.’
Roisin allowed a moment’s uncomfortable silence to settle. Erin was playing right into her hands and making this very easy for her. Roisin turned back to Ed. ‘So where’s she been hiding you away all this time? Do you live in London too?’
‘Yes. Fulham.’
‘Live together, do you?’
‘No, not yet. Although…’ Ed looked encouragingly at Erin.
Erin looked like a startled doe, as her eyes shot open, seemingly surprised by Ed’s inference.
‘Oh dear, Erin, don’t look so scared,’ said Roisin. She gave a little laugh. ‘Ed can’t be that bad, well, at least he doesn’t seem so from where I’m sitting.’
‘Would you like a glass of wine?’ said Bex. ‘Something to eat?’
‘Oh, that’s kind of you,’ said Roisin, aware Bex was trying to change the subject. ‘I really don’t want to intrude, but if you’re sure, a glass of wine would be perfect.’
Joe got up and poured Roisin a drink.
‘Thank you, Joe,’ said Roisin, ignoring the warning look he sent her way. She settled back in her seat. ‘This is nice. A real family get-together.’
Storm came running up to his mother, hopping from one leg to the other. ‘Need a wee wee.’
‘Daddy will take you,’ said Bex.
‘No, don’t want Daddy. Mummy take me.’
‘Okay, then,’ Bex got up, cradling the baby in her arms. ‘Who wants a cuddle?’
‘Oh, can I?’ Roisin placed her glass on the ground and, standing up, took the tiny baby from Bex. ‘She’s so beautiful. Aren’t you Breeze? You’re beautiful. Don’t you think so, Erin?’
Erin nodded. ‘Yes, she’s lovely.’
Ed let out a laugh. ‘She must be lovely for Erin to say so.’
‘Why’s that?’ said Roisin, not missing an opportunity to undermine Erin. She took a sneak look round at the rest of the group. Kerry was immediately distracted from his conversation with Joe and was watching for Erin’s reply.
‘Erin’s not really the maternal type, are you darling?’
‘You’ve changed, then,’ said Roisin, delighted with the way the conversation was going. ‘I thought when we were teenagers a baby was what you wanted.’
Ed laughed again. ‘I can’t imagine that, never in a million years. Show Erin a baby and she runs a mile.’
‘All right, Ed.’ Erin’s voice had a menace to it. If words were actions, those three would have walked right up to Ed and clamped themselves over his mouth.
‘Sorry, didn’t mean to upset you.’ Roisin carried Breeze over to Erin. ‘Here, have a cuddle. You can prove us all wrong, then.’ Roisin smiled as she locked eyes with Erin. She could tell Erin wasn’t happy about this at all. Erin hesitated slightly, glancing around the group before putting her glass down and taking hold of the baby.
She certainly looked awkward as she crooked her arm to support Breeze’s head and placed her other hand under the baby’s little legs. Shoulders hunched up, her whole body totally tense, Erin looked ill at ease with her precious cargo. To make matters worse, Breeze decided now was the time to begin to wriggle and, when finding no comfort from the staccato rocking offered by Erin, began to protest vigorously. More faltering swaying, the uneasiness radiated from Erin. Roisin couldn’t be more pleased with how it was going.
Kerry jumped to his feet.
‘My turn,’ he said, going over to Erin and confidently taking charge of his cousin’s baby. With ease, he rested Breeze at his shoulder and, gently patting her back, he returned to his seat. Almost immediately the baby’s crying abated.
‘You’ve got the touch,’ said Roisin, disappointed, and then turned to Erin. ‘He’ll make a fantastic dad one day. Some people were just meant to be parents.’
The reappearance of Bex and Storm gives me the chance to excuse myself and make for the bathroom. Once safely behind the locked door, only then do I let my composure fall and, leaning back against the wall, I close my eyes. Every nerve in my body is tingling and my heart throbs against my breastbone. It’s been a long time since I held a small baby. In fact, it was when Sophie was born. The effect today was the same as it was then: overwhelming.