Chapter 9

“Withstanding a barrage from the Bosch is nothing on trying to resist my mama when she has a full head of steam about something,” Adam said cheerfully. “But this time,” he said more seriously, “I won’t be bullied into another engagement of her choice. It is my life, after all,” Adam added lightly. He paused before asking, “Do your parents not expect you to get married?”

Alf shook his head. “It never comes up,” he said simply. “They see it as my decision and none of their business. I’m sure they’d be pleased if I did, but there’s no pressure on me. It’s not as if we have a grand family name to pass on,” he added with the first glint of wry humour.

“Well, my brother’s already done that,” Adam said, “so come hell or high water, my mother will have to be satisfied with my single state.”

“I didn’t realise,” Alf said slowly. “I mean Cat did say that your mother could be overbearing, but I thought…”