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with a bite, then a punch.
    Ahead of us Max feebly attempts to carry rubber Juliet past security, but a stern look prompts her deflation; Steve is given the task. Robert and Max move on, letting him struggle to push the sickly rubberised air back out before baggage inspection. They don’t think to acknowledge my family.
    â€œThat hippy at the back has coke and a shoe bomb guys!” Robert points me out to get a reaction from security. They give even sterner looks as Max doubles up in laughter. The security guards try to give Robert a talking-to but I assume he is bigging up his role at BA in order to escape sanction.
    Johnny and Juliet navigate the ribbon slowly, exchanging glances with Chris to keep away from the rubber-doll crew.
    â€œAn odd bunch,” says Sophia when they are all out of earshot.
    â€œWhich ones?” I take a chance to enquire.
    â€œMax and Steve are creeps. Robert is an arrogant shit. Your brother Chris is so un-expressive. Johnny is a good friend I suppose.” Sophia sums up the band with a gaping omission.
    â€œThey are just a bit boisterous,” I meekly suggest.
    Sophia sees Bepe’s personal relief. “Your shirt will stink on the flight.”
    â€œThat’s the least of my worries. You can change him again on the way out.”
    â€œI have so much to do today.” She sees a mental list with change our wet son sitting urgently at the top.
    â€œI am sorry, so sorry. You can only do what you can do babe.”
    â€œYou should have done this trip earlier.”
    â€œIt’s all going to fall into place now, you will see. In ten days we will be standing at the altar.” My feeble pep talk is needed and partially lightens her lead-weighted demeanour.
    â€œDo you really want to stand at the altar Dan?
    â€œWeddings aren’t really my bag babe. I know you wanted to do it your way.”
    â€œIt doesn’t mean you had to let me do everything. Why do you want to marry me Dan?”
    â€œOh babe…you know.” I redden as I give her the meekest assurance with my exasperated look. Maybe I am waiting for an answer as much as her. What words can I use that wont be severely tested?
    â€œI suppose I am too stressed. My emotions are raging,” she admits.
    â€œIt’s understandable. You will look beautiful. We will be fine babe.”
    â€œI will move that table of stags as far away from us as possible,” Sophia informs me, although I never knew they were close by.
    â€œThat will stop Robert throwing scorn and bread rolls at us.”
    Bepe is still perched quietly on my right arm, transfixing me with his grin. I recognise the flicker of menace far too late to recoil from the gun brought crashing into my head. Cheap roughly moulded purple plastic gouges my temple.
    â€œGiuseppe!” shouts his mother.
    I put him on the floor. I touch my throbbing pulsing wound; a red slash of blood streaks across my fingers. Sophia provides a tissue to stem the flow from the inch-long cut.
    â€œWhy do that to Daddy, he is going on the big plane now,” Sophia tries to gain his remorse but at last seems to have released me.
    â€œDiddy go home,” Bepe proposes again.
    â€œHe will miss you, is all,” says Sophia.
    â€œHe is showing a real wilfulness. I don’t know why. He used to be very placid but he’s turning.” All the party are out of sight, making me even more uncomfortable.
    â€œWe do love you, you know, call us to tell us that you do too!”
    â€œOf course and I’ll send texts and photos on the new iPhone as well.”
    I pick Bepe up again to promote a group huddle; Sophia reluctantly moves into the circle. I luxuriate in our combined body warmth, which wafts a wave of heat into my face. To think minutes ago this picture might never have been possible. I take my phone out, with our heads touching together we all face the camera. A “Schick” sound from my phone confirms the