Chapter 17Lunch was a huge success. My Mum and I are very alike and as predicted she thought Jess was lovely. We’d been in the restaurant for all of 30 minutes before Mum came right out and asked Jess how she’d lost her hearing and remarking as I had how good her speech was, although Mum also instantly understood that she probably hadn’t lost her hearing until adulthood.
I thought Jess might be embarrassed but she wasn’t at all; Mum has a straight way of talking that leaves you in no doubt that she’s genuinely interested and she doesn’t do pity.
When Jess left us alone briefly to visit the bathroom my mum grabbed my hand and grinned at me.
‘She’s really quite lovely, how long have you two been seeing each other? If I wasn’t straight I might go after her myself!’
‘Mum!’ I squealed ‘beha
