Finding Jemima

Grandmother

JEMIMA

I quickly scanned the room for the boys and saw them at the bar, Matty enthusiastically waving at me across the room making people turn and look at me.

"I'm just going to go and find my father, will you be ok?" I nodded and made my way over to the boys.

"Everything ok?" Matty asked sipping on a beer.

"I wish people would stop bloody asking if I'm alright every five bloody minutes" I snapped, I don't know why I snapped, I had been stressed since giving my statement but I was doing my best to keep everything in check, keep a brave face on for the boys, I think it was beginning to take its toll on me and the last few days I was desperately trying to stop myself from breaking down but I was struggling to keep up the false pretence of being ok, I was far from ok.

"Okay, want a drink?"

"I'd love a vodka or a beer I'm not fussed, stronger the better."

"How about a lemonade?" He handed me a fancy looking lemonade, that had fresh sliced lemons and red and green sparkly stuff around the rim, presumably to make it look Christmassy. Max shuffled over holding a half drunk beer and a fruity candy cane he'd been sucking on.

"Hey, all ok?" he asked me

"Seriously would everybody just stop fucking asking me if I'm ok!" I huffed annoyed

"Woah, ok. It's just you look a little over whelmed" max held his hand up.

"I'm fine, now let me drink my non alcoholic Christmas threw up all over it lemonade" I snapped and sipped my drink. I really wanted to snatch the half drunk beer out of his hand and down it in one, but knew it would be a mistake.

"Jemima" William called through the crowd waving me over to him.

"Excuse me, enjoy your beers boys" I put my drink down and walked over to William

"I want you to meet some people" I tensed a little and he instantly could tell holding my hand "it's ok" he reassured me, using his thumb to dust of the sparkles off my lips that were left over from my lemonade. We dodged the already slightly merry and tipsy people and walked towards the giant Christmas tree where a tall man in a very smart shiny suit, a woman with a red sparkly dress with a slit all the way up the leg and a slightly older woman who was wearing a green dress that looked a little young for her but she was kinda pulling it off, I got the impression she was older than she looked and had maybe had some work done.

"This is my Father, my mother and my grandmother...and this is Jemima Miller" he said pointing us all out to each other. I could feel their eyes looking me over and I clung to Williams hand a little tighter with both my hands on one of his, making him smile down at me.

"Pleasure to meet you finally Jemima" the man said in an even posher accent than Williams offering his hand, I took his hand gingerly and shook it, my small slightly trembling one looking tiny in his large confident one.

"Like wise...I mean...it's nice to meet you too mr Higgs" I stuttered out obviously nervous.

"We've heard a lot about you" the woman smiled, her accent wasn't as posh, but you could tell she was trying to put on some airs and graces. I caught Williams gaze again and smiled at him, but was hoping he hadn't told them too much.

"She's a real stunner William, you've done good" the older lady who sounded like she'd already had a few alcoholic beverages said grinning at me making me blush "she's a keeper"