We both step out of the car, and I take the wrapped present out of the back of my car. Ambrose did a nice job of it, even putting a nice bow on top. I walk around to Amelia's side of the car and take her hand, leading her up to the front door.
I knock and wait; even through the door, I can hear the loud roaring laughter of my aunt Margie. The party appears to be in full swing. I'm about to raise my fist and knock again when the large wooden door swings open to reveal my mother.
"Amelia! It's so nice to meet you!" My mum immediately steps out the door and wraps Amelia in a tight hug, catching her quite off guard. She tentatively wraps her arms around my mother's waist.
"Oh wow, hi. It's, um, it's nice to meet you, Mrs. Whitlock," Amelia replies quietly, settling into the hug eventually. Perhaps I should have warned her, mum's a hugger.
"Please, call me Eloise," she says proudly as she steps back, holding her at arm's length for a moment, beaming widely. Her attention is then turned to me. Her black hair is slightly curled and tucked back behind her ears, her small frame covered in a red sweater dress.
"Hello, my lovely boy," she gives me a tight hug as Amelia looks on, grinning softly, cheeks still red from my mother's affectionate introduction.
"Hello, Mum." I put an arm around her before she pulls back. She knows I'm not into hugs, and yet she gives me one every time.
"Come on, then, you two, in you get!" She ushers Amelia and me into the house and closes the door behind us. The front room is packed with people; I don't know what my mum was thinking hosting the party here. There are at least 30 people here, all crammed together in this little cottage. Too many familiar faces all at once, but they're all wrapped up in their own conversation to notice our entrance, thank God.