The Sister-In-Law(9)

Another of Jamie’s girlfriends? He sometimes brought them along on these family get-togethers. They were usually nice enough, but, as Joy always said, it wasn’t the same as having him to ourselves on holiday.

I watched as he gestured for the girl to come closer, and the introductions began. Joy as always was warm and effusive, though I reckoned she would have preferred Jamie there by himself. ‘I’ve never particularly liked any of Jamie’s girlfriends,’ she once told me, ‘but none of them have ever guessed. I’m always nice to them, for Jamie – and let’s face it, we know they are only ever fleeting,’ she’d giggled. This latest one was wearing a white maxi dress, which set off her deep tan perfectly. I looked down for a moment at my own pale, freckly arms and wished I’d bought some fake tan. Finding it hard not to watch, I looked back through the window. She was smiling serenely, perfect features, perfect figure, and I noted that long honey-coloured hair had been caught by the sun, or a good hairdresser. She was probably in her twenties, and even though I couldn’t see her that closely, it was clear that, unlike me, this woman had definitely de-fuzzed.

Now Dan and the kids had joined the welcoming throng, and suddenly aware that I was the only family member not present, I knew I should go out there and say hello, be part of the welcoming committee. So I smoothed my pool-straggled hair and grabbed a kitchen towel to wipe the sweat from my face, wishing Jamie had at least mentioned he wasn’t coming alone, so I could have been prepared and looked a little less wild.

Walking out of the stone villa, the heat hit me like bricks; now even more sultry, the sky was turning dark, like a shadow had crossed the sun. The air was heavy, and it occurred to me that we might be in for a thunderstorm as I approached the tight little group gathered around this new stranger.

Violet was jumping up and down excitedly, which was what the kids all did when Uncle Jamie was around. But it wasn’t just general excitement and a family welcome, they were all focussing on something in the girl’s hand. When Violet saw me, she broke free from the group and grabbed me by the elbow, urging me to ‘Come and see Uncle Jamie!’

I fixed my smile and, suddenly feeling shy, allowed Violet to pull me between Dan and Bob into the circle. I felt a bit like the odd one out, everyone already knew her name and why she was here – except me.

Jamie was looking at me with a stupid grin, clearly proud to have snagged an even younger, even more beautiful woman than usual. So proud in fact, he had his arm around her shoulder, which I felt was rather territorial for him, and thought he must be quite keen on this one. But then he was always keen on them to begin with.

‘Hello,’ I said, smiling at her, waiting to be introduced.

She gave me a little wave with just her fingers.

‘This is Clare… Dan’s wife,’ Jamie said as I got closer. They were both so tall, like models, making me feel very short.

‘Clare,’ she said, white teeth, dazzling, open smile.

She really was stunning and unless that maxi dress hid the secret of unshaved legs, I suspected this woman was completely without physical flaws.

‘This is Ella,’ I heard someone say. I think it was Jamie, or Dan.

‘Ella, how lovely to meet you,’ I said, and before I could add anything she came in, with firm, gym-honed arms open wide, for a hug. This took me by surprise; she was confident for someone so young, and among all these strangers too.

I opened my arms clumsily and we did an awkward hug – the awkward was all me.

‘So, welcome to the family, Ella,’ Dan said, and I wished he wouldn’t come on all son-and-heir – we weren’t bloody royalty. I found it a little cringey the way Dan sometimes took on his mother’s delusions of grandeur.

Ella smiled sweetly – gosh, she was so pretty.

‘I just wish you’d told us,’ Joy said, unable to hide her irritation, the initial warmth fading slightly. Her lips were slightly locked, and the stance was pure self-protection. ‘We’d have loved to be at our son’s wedding, wouldn’t we, Bob?’ she said pointedly.

Bob nodded, and looked slightly confused, but not as confused as me. In a couple of seconds, I managed to process what Joy had just said, looking from Jamie to Ella, to her left hand.

And there it was – a platinum ring. That’s what they’d all been admiring as I’d watched from the window. The others hadn’t been looking at something in her hand, it was something on her hand.

‘Wedding?’ was all I managed to say. This wasn’t Jamie’s latest pretty girlfriend, to be replaced by someone prettier next time. This was his wife.

‘Yes, these two ran off and got married – yesterday! They were in Italy already and didn’t even tell us,’ Joy said, accusingly. She masked this in faux annoyance, but it was real. I could only imagine how she felt having been robbed of one of her son’s weddings. Not only was she not present on the big day, but she hadn’t had the chance to stage-manage the event – and worse still, no opportunity to vet her new daughter-in-law.

‘Sorry, Mum, but when you know, you know. I also knew if I didn’t grab her, someone else would.’ He looked at Ella and she positively cooed. ‘I mean look at her.’ There was an awkward silence as the two of them stared at each other like no one else was there.

‘So where did you meet? We need to hear all about it,’ Joy said, linking her arm through her son’s and walking him slowly across the gravel, away from Ella – taking ownership back. The past shimmered through me. I was remembering how Joy had done the same with me and Dan.