Page 31 of All Yours

‘You must be Robyn,’ he said and Robyn couldn’t help but fan girl. His song ‘Deep in My Heart’ had been number one for weeks. It had already won an award for the song of the summer.

‘I love your song! It’s so nice to meet you.’ That was the biggest understatement ever. The song had come out just as Willow was born and Robyn had sung it constantly to her, soothing her through the night, and calming her on the long flight to England.

‘Ah, thanks,’ he said, as if it was no big thing. ‘It’s been a crazy summer, but it got me my girl.’ He squeezed Amber into him, and then nodded over at a boy of around ten years old with blue hearing aids and a rocking Mohican. ‘And my boy,’ he said with obvious emotion in his voice. Amber turned in his arms and kissed him full on the mouth.

‘Get a room, you two,’ said Wren.

‘You can’t talk,’ Isabella said to Wren, joining the group. ‘I see you and Rosie smooching behind the counter at the shop.’ She was now hand in hand with a man who looked similar but not identical to Alex. The famous twin brother, Etienne, who had given up his bachelor life as soon as Isabella hit the square. He extended a hand and Robyn shook it, before he entwined it again with Isabella’s. Robyn was conscious of Fox nearby, in his casual shirt and T, talking to a guy she hadn’t met yet. She glanced away.

‘I saved our usual table,’ Isabella said, leading the way.

The kids all crowded down one end and Amber told, and signed to, Jayden that he was in charge. He puffed his chest out with pride.

Robyn paused to adjust the sling before she sat down and then she heard Fox behind her, asking quietly, ‘Ready?’ She glanced over her shoulder to find him poised to push her chair in to the table. He threw her a tentative smile.

‘Hiya, boss,’ she said with a bright grin to show him that everything was okay. Even if she actually wanted to lay him on the table right now and eat her dinner off his abs. He couldn’t know that. His smile widened and he pushed the chair in gently as she sat and then took a seat opposite. ‘The pancakes were delicious,’ she added.

‘Glad you liked them,’ he said. ‘I’d have hated them to go to waste.’ He gestured to the sandy blond man sat next to them at the table. ‘This is Walker.’ Whatever was in the water in this town, it made fine-looking men. Walker had shoulders that could pull a plough.

‘He’s the official everyday hero of Honeybridge,’ Fox said and Walker punched him deftly on the shoulder. ‘But you are!’ Fox laughed. ‘You even got the award that confirms it.’ Walker punched him again and turned to Robyn, ignoring Fox.

‘Nice to meet you,’ he said. ‘Fox has told me all about you.’

Robyn’s smile stalled. What? How much did he know? Her confusion must have shown on her face as he grinned and continued.

‘Fox says the boys are really happy with you.’ Robyn relaxed. Of course.

‘Walker’s together with Isabella’s cousin, Gabi. But she’s working away at the moment,’ Fox explained.

‘Just got back from visiting her in California yesterday morning,’ Walker said. ‘But she’ll be finished in December, so home in time for Christmas.’ He rubbed his hands together at the thought, very obviously looking forward to it.

They all seemed like such strong couples. Amber and Alex, newly together but with a past. Isabella and Etienne, just about to tie the knot. Walker and Gabi, making long distance work. And Rosie and Wren, just about to extend their family by two. It was a very different environment for Robyn. It felt settled but supportive, connected and close. Committed. A change from the friendships she made when she was travelling, and so different from any relationship she’d had in the past.

A tiny white-haired woman came out of the kitchen. She pinched the cheeks of the children, kissed all the women once and then all the men twice with a very girlish giggle. Everyone called her Nonna, even though she was officially only Isabella’s grandmother, and the chef at Tutto Mio.

‘Join us, Nonna,’ Isabella said, pouring her a glass of wine. Nonna accepted happily, taking off her apron for a moment, and Fox stood to pull out her chair as she took the seat at the head of the table. Fox’s mother had obviously taught him well.

Etienne cleared his throat.

‘So, Isabella tells me she now has her bridesmaids sorted. Which brings me on to my own request,’ Etienne said solemnly. He turned to the guys, suddenly serious. ‘I want my Brothers from Another Mother to be part of the ceremony too. Alex, will you be my best man?’

Robyn watched Alex’s face ripple with emotion, his eyes shining with tears. He clapped his twin on the shoulder and then they stood to hug.

‘It would be an honour.’

‘And Walker and Fox, my groomsmen?’ Etienne paused for a moment, then focused on Fox. ‘Although it will mean that you’ll have to wear a suit, Fox. No checked shirts and T’s at my wedding.’

Fox laughed then extended his hand to Etienne.

‘Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.’

The men clinked bottles while Robyn briefly tried to imagine Fox in a suit or a tuxedo, but failed – she’d never seen him in anything apart from his usual casual outfits, or naked. Great. Now she was thinking about him naked. Again.

‘Let’s eat!’ Isabella said as the meatballs arrived. Large ones for the adults, miniatures for the kids. When the big sharing plates were passed around, Fox served Nonna, earning himself another pinch of the cheek. The table was buzzing with conversation, the drinks were flowing and the food was delicious. She could see why everyone looked forward to meatball meet-up.

Willow, however, maybe didn’t have the staying power that some of the other children had, and Robyn knew it would soon be time to go. She handed the baby to Wren and went to collect her coat. Isabella pointed her through a door at the back, which led to the bathrooms. After a moment of rummaging, she found her coat on a peg in the cloakroom and tugged it over her shoulders, ready for the walk home. She turned back to the door just as it swung open and Fox stepped through. They collided, and she steadied herself with a hand on his chest, touching his white T-shirt between the open shirt. His pecs were hard under her fingers. He might be a dad, but Fox definitely did not have a dad bod. He had a god bod.

‘Sorry,’ Fox said, holding her elbows. ‘I should have thought someone might be coming out.’ His face was very close.