“Trev, how’s it going?” he answered and then listened to his brother speaking on the other end of the line.

“Oh yeah, sounds good. I’ll be home in a bit. Have to return a motor to Terry Teabag before I head back. Yeah, yeah, okay. See you then.”

He hung up, sliding the phone back in his pocket. My cousin pursed his lips, and I could tell by his expression that he was amused. He wanted to say something but was holding it back. I frowned at him, kicking his foot with the toe of my shoe.

“What’s wrong with you?”

An amused chuckle escaped him. “Oh, come on. Terry Teabag? That’s the most hilarious name I’ve ever heard.” Stu folded his arms and cocked an eyebrow. Alfie shot him a gleeful look. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask. Why do they call him Teabag?”

Stu’s lips twitched. “Guess.”

Alfie stroked his chin ponderously. “Hmm. Let me see. Does he always leave the bag in after he makes a cup of tea?”

Stu shook his head, almost smiling.

“Oh! I’ve got it. He stole a crate of teabags off the back of a truck one time and gave them away for free to everyone in the neighbourhood.”

Now Stu chuckled. “Seriously? No.”

“Wait, wait, I’ll get it eventually. Okay, is it something sexual?”

“Alfie!” I exclaimed, horrified.

Stu’s chuckle deepened. “No, you numpty. He doesn’t like teabags. They freak him right out.”

Alfie frowned. “That’s it?” Stu nodded. “Well, that’s rather disappointing.”

“Everyone ’round my way has nicknames like that. You’ve got Tall Warren, only five foot one. Chipper Fred, works the local chippy. Tommy the Taxi, drives a taxi. Ballbuster Mick, got in a fight once and literally busted some bloke’s balls.”

My cousin held on to his stomach he was laughing so hard. “Oh my God, stop, I can’t breathe,” he exclaimed.

I had to admit, I was giggling myself. That last one was pretty funny. Stu shook his head, obviously not finding it all quite as hilarious as my cousin. His eyes came to me. “Can we talk?”

I swallowed and gestured to the hallway, leaving Alfie to continue his amused laughter solo. “What is it?” I asked quietly, glancing up at Stu.

“We’re having a barbecue and a few beers at ours tonight.”

“Oh?”

“You should come.”

The way his voice dipped on the last word made me tremble slightly. I chewed on my lip and dug my heel into the floor. “Well, um . . . I’m not sure if . . .”

Stu gripped my upper arm. “Andrea, quit overthinking everything and just agree to have dinner with me and my family. It’s really not that complicated. Please.”

It was the ‘please’ that had me nodding my head before I could properly weigh the decision. “Well, I suppose I could pop by, but I won’t be able to stay late. I already had to call in sick to work today and I can’t do it again.”

Now he smiled wickedly. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get to work in the morning.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Stu, I’m not staying over.”

He winked. “We’ll see.”

“Stu—”

“Look, I’ll be back in a while to collect you. Wear something nice,” he said, dipping down to press a quick kiss on my lips and then he was gone. I realised how quiet the flat was once the door slammed shut and fretted over whether or not Alfie had heard us. But then I went inside the kitchen and found him staring out the window, lost in his own head. He blinked when I opened the cupboard to search for a snack.

“Is Stu gone?” Alfie asked, his expression sober.

I nodded.

“You don’t think he was offended by me laughing, do you? I feel like he might think I was mocking where he comes from, their way of life.”

“He didn’t think that, Alfie. It’s fine.”

“I just realised after you both left how condescending I came across, but it wasn’t intentional. If anything, I envy him a little.”

“I thought you were wary of his background.”

“Well yes, in the beginning I was, but I can see now he doesn’t intend us any ill will. In fact, I kind of like having him around. I feel like if anything bad happens we’ve got a big muscled action hero on our side to swoop in and save the day.”

I laughed at this, but at the back of my mind I was thrilled that Alfie was thawing towards Stu. I’d never seen him take to a stranger before. Even when I first started dating Mark, Alfie had taken a long time to accept him.

“And why would you envy him?” I asked, curious.

Alfie lifted a shoulder. “I suppose I just would’ve preferred a deprived upbringing to what I had. At least he had his brothers. They could support one another.”

I gave his shoulder a small squeeze. “If you hadn’t had the upbringing you did, then you wouldn’t be who you are today, and I quite like who you are, Alfie.”

He sniffed and nodded, then without another word disappeared inside his bedroom. When he was gone my nerves returned, remembering I’d agreed to go to Stu’s house for dinner. Trying not to fret on it, I took a shower and put on my nicest pair of jeans, alongside a silk camisole and a light cream cardigan.

I was sitting by my laptop, checking some lessons for work the next day and letting my hair air dry when a knock sounded at the door. I knew it had to be Stu, but I just hadn’t expected him back so early.

He’d changed out of the suit and now wore his typical ensemble of T-shirt and jeans. I much preferred him like this. Leaning down, he kissed the edge of my mouth. Butterflies took charge of my stomach.

“You ready?”

“Yes, just let me grab my things.”

A few minutes later we were in his car on our way to his house. I noticed the neighbourhoods getting dingier as we travelled, which reminded me how the rich and poor lived in such different circumstances in London. I’d always been somewhere in the middle, not quite rich, not quite poor. In more recent times I certainly knew how it felt to be stretched thin financially, but it wasn’t like I’d ever gone hungry. Feeling nervous, I chewed on my fingernails, wondering what sort of welcome I’d receive.

“Do your brothers know I’m coming?” I asked, my voice betraying my nerves.