Becki is stunned. Nicole – Marcus's date? The universe has to be playing some kind of sick joke on her. She stands staring at Marcus, open mouthed with disbelief.
Lucky for the family, Darlene is a bit quicker on the uptake. She grabs Becki's arm and steers her a few steps away while Paul, who had arrived behind them all unnoticed, smoothly beelined up to Marcus and started making apologies.
"It's my daughter, she's been under a lot of stress recently, clearly made a mistake, bit on edge, you know how these young girls are…" Becki can hear Paul soothing and chuckling.
Boy, does that piss her off. She breaks free of Darlene's grip and shoulders her way back over to the little trio, glaring at Nicole's serene, glowing face as she glanced up at Marcus, still tucked protectively into his
