Love to Hate You: Three's a Crowd

Chapter Eight - Younger Siblings

Vicky didn't feel an older woman was the way to go when it came to Tobias' love life, however. Not once Aunt Vee had organised a family meal at her sister's house (Ramona was a much better hostess than she was) in honour of the state of Amy's womb. The interfering Godmother had invited Amy for lunch. "With Xander and our family", she'd told the nursery teacher, but despite speaking no lie, she'd also been misleading, because her family didn't just include her husband and son. Nor even said son's wife and daughter. It included Ramona and Ramona's children; Rafe and Tobias. Where Rafe went, Mattie followed, which meant their children – Sebastian and Isaac – came too, and Tobias; well, he inevitably followed Mattie around like a lost puppy, still pining for an as yet undiscovered great love.

The increase in numbers (to an intimidating twelve people) prompted Amy to ask if she could bring her sister to lunch.

'Of course,' Aunt Vee told her. 'The more the merrier. Xander will have to get to know your family anyway, won't he?' This proclamation caused Xander's face to turn slightly green, but he forced a smile and nod of agreement nonetheless. Hence, he found himself with the extended Paxton family, sitting beside the mother of his unborn child, whom he was not dating, whilst being watched by almost everyone he knew. Opposite him was Amy's younger sister, Darcie. With an "I.E", not a "Y".

'This looks lovely,' Amy said, as Carl set a plate of roast chicken in front of her.

'Carl is an excellent cook,' Aunt Vee agreed. 'Raffey's very good too, but he refuses to cook for anyone but his wife, so Rudy had to help with lunch today, didn't you, love?' Now turning to her son.

'I didn't have to,' he said gently. 'But Mattie and Vicky work all week as well as seeing to the children, so it's only fair that they have a Sunday off.'

'I don't actually "see to the children" as Rudy puts it,' Vicky corrected, as she looked to Amy with a smile. 'He does the bulk of the childcare. He works locally at the GP surgery. I'm in central London; it makes sense for him to do the school run and things. When he's not roping Xander or Vee in to help him, of course,' she finished, a little archly. Amy grimaced, embarrassed by the reference to the accusation of adultery she'd made against Rudy the previous week.

'It's lovely that you're all so close,' Darcie piped up, attempting to alleviate her sister's embarrassment by changing the subject.

'We're not all close,' Rafe grumbled, shooting his brother an irritated look. 'Some of us would prefer it if other people got a life of their own and stopped spending their free time with another man's wife.'

'Shhh!' Mattie scolded, whilst gently rubbing her husband's leg. Tobias shifted awkwardly in his seat. He didn't think an explanation of the animosity between himself and his older brother – a recounting of the four-year affair he'd had with Rafe's first wife – was the best way to introduce Amy to the family, and so he turned to Darice – who was sat beside him – and asked, –

'Are you married? Any children?'

'No.' She shook her head with flushed cheeks. 'Still looking for an independent male adult who's financially solvent without being totally up his own arse.' Then she glanced at the small children at the table – Isla, Sebastian and Isaac – and winced. 'Sorry,' she said. 'Bum. I meant bum. Or rather, bottom.' Earning a smirk from Vicky, a snigger from Mattie, and a roll of the eye from Rafe. 'What about you?' she asked, in an attempt to gloss over her faux pas.

'Me?' Tobias shook his head. 'No. Still single. Not for want of trying. Mattie's been attempting to set me up with people lately, but...' He shook his head. 'Let's just say speed dating is not something I'll be doing again.'

'Oh!' Darcie smiled. 'Amy and I tried that once, didn't we?' Now looking to her sister. 'After Sam...' She trailed off, assuming it best not to reference the intense heartache her older sister had been through when her ex left her due to her apparent fertility problems.