Maternal Instinct

Claire was there, but I didn’t get to see Kieran’s father. I heaved a secret sigh of relief when dinner was concluded without incident. The rest of the Valentine family members took their cue from the matriarch when they saw the bracelet on my left wrist. I left the house with both arms laden with gifts. I fingered the bracelet. The jadeite was warmed by my body heat and it, in turn, warmed my heart. It became my second favourite piece of jewellery, after the purple diamond wedding ring Kieran gave me. I could tell some of them back at the house looked down on me. They made a valiant attempt to hide their contempt, especially Ms O’Sullivan, but their patronising voice and aloof manners gave them away. But it didn’t matter. I didn’t need everyone to like me. Kieran’s grandmother’s acknowledgement was sufficient to catapult me over the moon. Kieran drove home like he was in a big hurry. And he proved he was by unbelting my wrap coat the moment the door clicked shut behind us. ‘How about