“Oh I’m sorry I’ve been really busy and we only just got back”.

“I know you’ve been busy darling, well done in the competition”. She flashed me the first smile of the evening and wrapped her arms around me in an awkward hug.

“Thanks Mum”

Alice shuffled uncomfortably next to me and my mother noticed this. “Hello Alice” she said it in a cold and unfriendly tone and I felt angry at her for treating the woman I love in this way. I took Alice’s hand and intertwined my fingers with hers, while my mother stood in front of us defiantly, trying not to show her displeasure.

“I see you two are together. It came as quite a shock to me when I saw you both on the television.” Her face remained serious and her disapproval showed.

“Yeah, I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you before I left for London”.

“Sharon can I get you a drink?” I was proud of Alice for trying hard to please my mother and to not get upset by her hostility.

“No thank you Alice I can get my own” With that my mother turned on her heel and through to the kitchen, leaving Alice and I standing in silence.

“I get the feeling she doesn’t like me”. Alice and I stood watching my mother as she poured herself a large glass of wine. “What did I do?”

I span around to face Alice “You didn’t do anything; she’s always been like this. But once she gets to know you, she’ll love you, just like I do” I gave my girlfriend a quick kiss on the lips and smiled at her.

 "Just like you love me?" Alice pulled a face and I chuckled.

"Okay not exactly like I do, but she will still love you" I kissed her again.

Alice

I was concerned about the fact that Dana’s mum didn’t like me. When we had been friends she had never been overly friendly but more than she being now, she obviously didn’t approve of our relationship.

Later on, Dana went to go and talk to Sharon and I watched them across the room. It wasn’t long before I saw that Dana was getting aggravated and she was flinging her arms up in anger, raising her voice at her mother, who remained calm and stern. Dana’s voice became so loud I could hear what she was saying.