Speak Now

XI

"Martha, you're going to a spa," James mutters as he watches me throw in another bikini set. "Not to Hawai'i for a vacation. I don't think you need a swimsuit and three bikinis. There won't be any men there to impress. And by 'men', I mean, Sam. Obviously."

James gave me a devilish grin while I swatted him away with my hairbrush. "You're incorrigible."

Winking at me, James jumps off the bed and announces that he's on babysitting duties today since all the women are running off, leaving the men behind. With schools back in London still on Easter break, the majority of the Delaney family decided to stay the week post-Easter and James was relishing playing Uncle James with Sera, hanging out with her and my brothers almost all day yesterday. He was also getting attached to Léa and Élianne, as well as doting on India. It amused me that James preferred to hang out with the younger ones but as he rightly commented last night when we de-briefed our day, kids can't judge you as adults can. While all the grown-ups are giving him sideways glances since finding out about his addiction, the little ones love him just the same. 

"Oh, before I forget," James said, head creeping around the interconnecting door. "Sam and I are going out to a pub tonight. What do I say when he starts asking questions about you?"

I frown in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"He might ask if you're still in love with him or if he stands a chance with you? How do you want me to answer?" James asks, looking a little worried about being put on the spot should Sam ask him any of these things. "What if he asks if you've dated anyone in the past five years, what do I say? "

"James, just tell him the truth, ok?"

James sighs and shakes his head. "Ok. So you want me to tell him that you never fell out of love with him and yeah, he totally stands a chance with you. Oh, and you've been celibate for five years? Is that something you really want him to know? I mean, make the guy jealous, Martha!"

"Get out, James," I tell him, shooing him out the room. "I have to pack."

Keira has arranged for all the women of the Delaney family- plus Aoife and Nina- to go to a spa today so we can all relax and recharge. It's her Zen Party, she says. Which got me thinking- who is planning her Hen Party? Surely as the MOH, I should be arranging all that but since no one has mentioned it, I haven't got organised a thing. God forbid if Aoife or Nina have planned it; Aoife would have some sort of Unicorn Party, with lots of pastels, glitter and happiness, while Nina will go with something pretentious and... urgh. Neither seemed appealing to me. I'll have to get something sorted as soon as possible, even if I have to turn to Sophie for help. 

Heading down the stairs with my spa bag packed, I see my dad drop Charlotte off and quickly go out to say 'hi' while James runs around looking for his shoes. After kissing Dad's cheek, I go to see my sister and little brothers, noticing that Joseph is quieter than usual whereas Levi and Owen look like they're going to be a handful. It's probably a good thing that all the men are teaming up to look after the ankle biters; with these four, Sophie's two and Lucas' baby, you need all the reinforcements as you can muster. I was listening intently to Sera's plan for the day-which involved James dressing up as either Prince Charming or one of the many Disney Princesses- when James rushed out of the house, bounded into the passenger seat, tapped the front dashboard and said, "Let's go. Now."