‘ Hiya mate,’ Matt greeted Dan at the door. He had baby sick on his shoulder and looked very tired.
‘And how are you today, madam?’ he asked Evie.
‘Fine ta, Uncle Matt, where are the twins?
‘Upstairs with Auntie Sara, go on up.’
Evie ran upstairs.
‘Can of Stella?’
‘Cheers, mate.’
‘Long time no see,’ Matt stated.
‘Yeah, sorry, mate. We’ve been away with Jess and the girls to her cottage in Cornwall.’
‘Very nice.’
Dan looked a little embarrassed. ‘I’ve got something to ask you actually.’
‘Fire away, Danny boy.’
‘Well I’m getting married to the lovely Jessica Morley, and I would really love it if you could be my best man.’
‘Hey you’re a bloody dark horse, Harris. Congratulations though, mate. And of course I’d be honored to be your best man.’
‘Great, thanks, mate.’
‘I can’t wait for my speech already.’ He smirked and continued. ‘Must get my geriatric jokes up to scratch.’
Dan laughed. ‘I know, I know, who’d have thought it eh?’
‘You were adamant she wasn’t the one for you and I tended to agree all those years ago. Funny how time changes everything.’
Dan nodded. ‘I really love her, mate, always did I think. Just couldn’t see it at the time.’
‘I’m genuinely really pleased for you. Sara will be delighted as well. She was just saying she needed a good night out. We are both run ragged looking after the twins. Never realised quite just how hard work it would be.’
‘Anyway, have you set a date yet?’ Matt asked.
‘No not yet, I only asked her a few days ago, we need to sit down and talk about it.’
‘And how has Evie taken the news?’
‘She absolutely adores Jess, and gets on so well with her little one, Freya, so it’s all worked out perfectly.’
‘Chuffed for you, mate. And dare I ask about Charlie, is she OK about the news?’
‘I’m leaving that one to Jess.’ Dan laughed. ‘But I’m sure she’ll be cool about it.’
‘Hiya, Dan,’ Sarah shouted down the stairs. ‘I’ll be down in a minute. Matt, stop gassing and get that chicken in the oven now, or we’ll all be having roast dinner at midnight.’
‘OK, my love,’ Matt replied and laughed to Dan. ‘Oh the sweet joy of matrimony!’