‘Dad, it’s fine and it’s all sorted now.’

Barry looked questioningly at Cameron. ‘I stuck up for her at the barbecue and I should have asked first.’

‘Ah, she’s a feminist, lad. You’ll get used to it. Come in.’ Barry ushered him inside. ‘Was there a row?’ he asked, looking keen to get the gossip.

Ros shook her head at both of them and brought the bouquet inside.

Cameron regaled Barry with a blow-by-blow account of the barbecue, making it sound like an enjoyable affair apart from the women’s comments. Ros’s recollections were slightly different but then she had had to endure far more of them than he had. Ros kept the flowers in their cellophane but put them in some water to keep them fresh until she took them home.

When she joined them in the living room Barry was literally sitting on the edge of his seat, enwrapped, and Gazza was lying on his back on Cameron’s lap having his tummy rubbed – they both looked exceptionally happy.

Barry leaned back and patted the arms of his chair. ‘Well, I think you did the right thing, Cameron.’

‘Are we taking sides?’ asked Ros, feeling slightly put out.

‘No. I’m only saying that I think Cameron acted as any caring partner would and he stood up for you. I think that’s to be admired.’ He held up his palms before she could put him straight. ‘But what do I know? I’m not PC, or “woke” is it these days?’

Cameron was grinning but when he saw Ros’s expression he reverted to neutral. ‘Anyway, I think overall it went well.’

‘At least it’s over for another year,’ said Ros.

‘Your Uncle Pete sends his love. And he wants a photo of you and Cameron. He says you’ve updated your status but still no pictures. I said you’re bound to have some of the two of you together that you can share.’ Barry looked from Cameron to Ros.

‘Err, I don’t tend to take many photographs.’ Ros was not a fan of everything being recorded on social media and felt the people who posted pictures of their breakfast probably needed specialist help – had they not seen food before? And why on earth would they think others would be interested? She found it bizarre.

‘I’ve got some,’ said Cameron, making Ros frown at him. She would have had to be present so she knew he hadn’t taken any. ‘I’ll send you them later and we can post them on Facebook.’

Ros was confused. ‘Could you help me with the beef please?’ she asked and Cameron moved Gazza onto the sofa and followed her out.

Once in the kitchen Ros swivelled around to address Cameron, startling him a little. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Hey, it’s okay. We’ll take a few after dinner, upload them and then Uncle Pete will back off. It’s all cool.’

‘Please can you run things like this by me before confirming them to other people? That’s all I’m asking. And don’t go ganging up against me with my own father.’

‘Whoa! There was no ganging up. He just agreed with me.’

‘Same thing.’

‘Gotcha. Again, I’m sorry.’ Cameron pointed at the flowers. ‘It’s a good job I got a big bunch.’

‘You didn’t need to get flowers and I don’t think I said thank you, which was rude.’

‘It was.’ Cameron watched her and waited.

‘Thank you, they are lovely, but as this is a business arrangement you don’t need to buy apology flowers.’

‘Maybe not but I do what I think is right.’ Gazza trotted into the kitchen, which distracted them, and Ros got on with serving the dinner.

After dinner her dad looked like he needed a nap so Cameron suggested they take Gazza for a walk. He made the mistake of saying the word ‘walk’, which meant there was no getting out of it as the dog was now dancing around their ankles like the trip hazard he was. Barry put on Gazza’s harness and handed the lead to Cameron, which Cameron looked very pleased about. Gazza led them out and in the direction of the park.

‘That meal was stunning. The beef was excellent. You’re a very good cook.’

‘It’s just a roast. I don’t have a wide repertoire I’m afraid.’

‘I liked it. Obviously the Yorkshires make it.’

‘Obviously.’ Ros and Cameron walked in step with Gazza in the front like he was on a mission. He was a little dog but he was quite strong. She wondered how long it would be before it was too much for her dad to walk him. ‘Thanks for offering to walk the dog. That was thoughtful. Dad is looking more tired each time I see him.’

‘I have to confess I was thinking it was a good opportunity to get some photographs for Uncle Pete.’

‘Ah, I see. Now explain to me your idea about these photos.’

‘I think a few selfies in the park will do it.’

‘I don’t like that he’s stalking me online,’ said Ros.

Cameron laughed. ‘He’s your uncle, and I’m not being rude but I get the impression it’s been a while since you had a boyfriend.’

Ros turned to look at him. ‘Depends on what you’d call a while. I suppose it’s been almost two years. But it’s not any of his business.’

‘I agree, but if he’s like your dad he’s got time on his hands, probably not many people he interacts with and he’s curious. That’s normal.’

‘Is it? He has a job. You’d think that would keep him busy enough.’

‘Totally. It’s the right side of normal. We could not do what we’re doing with my mum. Let me tell you. She’d be in your sock drawer after the first date.’

‘That’s rather intrusive.’

‘She doesn’t mean to be like that, but she’s intense. I’m her baby boy and she’s always going to look out for me.’

‘But you’re a grown man. Don’t you find that under-mining?’ she asked.

‘Nope. In her eyes I’ll always be her baby. It’s the power of maternal love. It’s intense. Plus she’s done so much for me – I can let her get away with a little overprotectiveness.’

Ros wasn’t sure. It sounded like a violation of privacy to her but she wasn’t going to argue. What did she know about maternal anything?

***

They reached the park and walked down to where the wisteria covered the arch that went across the path. ‘This is very Instagrammable,’ said Cameron, swapping Gazza’s lead to his other hand so he could get his phone out.

‘Is that even a word?’

‘It’ll keep Uncle Pete happy. Look like you love me.’ Cameron held up his phone to snap a selfie.

‘And how would that look?’ Ros was genuinely curious. Would her uncle read anything into these photos?

Cameron was grinning and Ros was frowning. ‘It doesn’t look like that. Just smile and it’ll be fine.’