I’ve heard this before, so smile and nod, matching his smile with my own as he carries on talking.
“Out of every single person I knew at Georgie and Kieran’s wedding, there was only one person I was interested in speaking with. I had so many people to catch up with in that room, but I didn’t want to do it. All I wanted was her, and that will never change.”
“Cheers,” my dad says, and gives another toast. “To you and Cass.”
“To you and Cass,” everyone says, and I finish my champagne along with them.
It’s quite late when Ant and I shut ourselves away in my childhood bedroom. Ant is smirking like he’s in a fairy tale palace when he sees the pink shade of my old wardrobe doors.
“You were right,” he whispers, easing himself into the small double bed alongside me. “Your family are incredible, just like you.”
There is one lingering thought on my mind though, that I haven’t been able to shake off all night. Something that sounded a little weird when he said it and gave me a weird tickle right the way up my spine.
Now’s the time to broach it.
“You said earlier that you knew practically everyone at Georgie and Kieran’s wedding.”
“Yeah, I did, but trust me, princess, the only one I wanted was you.”
“Did you know everyone?” I ask him again, and he smiles.
“Sure did, sweetheart. I even knew Kieran’s step-cousin, Gina, but I barely even gave her a hello.”
He’s laughing, so I laugh along, but my brain churns at the memory.
“Weird, because I thought you said you barely knew anyone, and the Chandley sisters seemed the best option.”
“No, I wouldn’t have. I went to school with Kieran, Cass, how could I not have known anyone?” His smirk is crazy. “Am I close to any of them? No. But of course I know them. You must have got confused.”
“Guess I must have. That’s what too many glasses of prosecco does to you, I suppose.”
“I’m glad it did enough for you to come to my room that night.”
I cuddle up tight to him.
“Me, too.”
He’s asleep in no time, very comfortable in my parents’ house and very comfortable in my old bed. That’s mineral water, and health, and confidence for you though – and I need to take note of it. I could slap myself in the head for being so shit with my drunk memory. Not only did I not have a clue about spouting boring nonsense about Bucklebury Rovers, but it turns out I’ve got no memory of what Ant really said to me on night one at Hanley Hall, either. I can’t believe I thought he knew nobody there at his school friend’s bloody wedding. What an idiot.
Or am I? My memory of the bar conversation that night seems pretty clear.
I get a little tingle of something ominous, but push it aside. Ant wouldn’t be lying to me. No chance. It’s not like he has any reason to.
I laugh to myself because, urgh, damn you, prosecco… but damn De Chante not quite so much – no matter how bloody trashed I get on it.
It tastes a little too good for that.
Sarah and Dave live about twenty paces down the street from Mum and Dad’s place, so Harry bounds up the street at ten a.m. sharp, all set to start his birthday celebrations.
Seven years old already. The time has gone so quickly.
He throws himself at me the moment he steps in through the front door, giving me a huge hug as I wish him a squeal of happy birthday! Mum and Dad’s hugs follow, and I get another beautiful jab of emotion as he throws himself into Ant’s open arms after theirs.
Yeah, Ant definitely belongs here.
Sarah and Dave arrive two minutes later and there is a lovely huddle of us in the living room as Harry sits down in the armchair like a prince all set to open his presents.
Predictably, they are all centred around one theme…
Harry laughs his sweet little head off at Mum and Dad’s bobble-headed giraffe card and lets out an air punch at the giraffe PJs and cute little slippers as he opens them. He’s a spoiled little boy and has a new giraffe pencil case for school as well. Sarah and Dave’s presents for him are bigger and Harry is tearing gift wrap off in glee as he opens his new giraffe rug and matching bedding. This one has more grown up giraffes on than the cartoon sets he’s had before and he’s glowing. Proud of being a big boy now.
Ant’s grinning as brightly as Harry is when I dash upstairs to get my contribution. It’s obvious what my present to him is the moment I step back in through the door.
“Yay!” Harry screams and is straight on over.
My heart is on fire when he tugs into the wrapping paper and reveals the happy face of his huge new giraffe friend.