Chapter 1: The Parents Talk Sex

On Sunday it had been arranged that Lorraine’s mum and dad would meet Danny’s mum and Uncle Mike at the restaurant they all knew near the end of the linear park. Danny and Lorraine decided they would go on their bikes so that after lunch they could leave whilst the parents got to know each other.

Danny and Lorraine made sure they arrived first so they could introduce everyone. Lorraine’s mum and dad arrived next. They took a seat in the bar and a few minutes later Danny’s mum and Uncle Mike arrived, Mike having picked Joan up on the way. Introductions were made all round and the waiter showed them to their table.

Through their Sunday dinner there was a constant hum of conversation as everyone got to know each other and as usual the weather and politics were discussed. Mike took a liking to Lorraine right away and he could tell from the way they kept looking at each other that Danny was smitten. Danny had spoken to him on the phone earlier in the week to give him the news and explained why they were meeting the parents already. It didn’t surprise Mike that Danny was so sure of his future with Lorraine so soon.

Danny’s dad had told Mike that he intended marrying Mikes sister the first time he had met him and that was only a week or so after he and his sister Joan had met. They had gone on to get married and Mike knew well that their marriage had been a very happy one.

After they had finished eating, they went through to the lounge for a coffee. Danny and Lorraine took the opportunity to leave. They went round saying goodbye. When they came to Mike, he hugged Danny and whispered in his ear, “She’s lovely,” saying out loud, come and visit me soon both of you. Giving Lorraine a hug he whispered, “I can tell you’re going to be very happy together.”

After the pair of them left, there was a bit of a discussion about them wanting to meet the parents so soon. Mike told them about what Danny’s dad had said to him a few weeks after he met his sister. I’m sure Danny and Lorraine will be as happy as you two were,” he said, smiling at Joan. Turning to Alex and Anne, he told them,” I know I’m prejudiced, but I know he’ll look after Lorraine properly.” “He’s certainly got a good head on his shoulders,” Alex said. “He won me over very quickly, and that’s not easy,” he said with a smile. “He’s a credit to you,” he added, smiling at Joan. Joan told them, “And Lorraine is to you, I was sceptical when Danny told me, but I liked her the minute I met her, she’s a lovely girl.”

Mike looked at Alex and Joan and asked, “Am I right in thinking that you have only met Danny twice so far, and Joan you’ve met Lorraine twice?” When they all said yes, Mike continued, so up to now they have just paid a flying visit to you?” Getting another affirmative Mike asked, “So have you decided what you’re going to do when they want to stay over?”

It was clear from the startled silence that no one had thought that far ahead. “Sooner or later,” Mike continued, “One of them is going to want to stay overnight. Whatever you decide about sleeping arrangements, I suggest you all agree and do the same.” Joan said, “I don’t think I’d be happy at the idea of them sleeping together at mine.” She looked at Alex and Anne.

Alex spoke up, “If you’d asked me that a couple of weeks ago, he told them, “I would have said that I was adamant that no daughter of mine would sleep with her boyfriend anywhere, let alone in our house.” He paused, “I’m still not sure about it, but now I would consider it.”

“What changed your mind?” Mike asked. “Danny did,” Alex said. “Just before Danny arrived to meet us, I’d upset my wife and daughter by making it clear I was going to give him a third degree as well as laying the law down about him getting Lorraine pregnant. I was told in no uncertain terms that I had to behave, or I’d be in trouble.” He smiled at his wife, “So when Danny arrived, I was very careful not to rock the boat with too many questions. Anyway, I decided I liked him and invited him to stay for dinner. Then he stunned me.” He related as near word for word what Danny had said to him.

“It made me think long and hard,” he said. “We had sex before we were married, but I had been really kidding myself thinking that my daughter wouldn’t. So, the question is, do we drive them away to do it somewhere rough and ready, or do we let them have the comfort of home.”

They all agreed it need some thought and they decided that they would talk about it again soon. By the time they all parted, it seemed like they had known each other for years. Clearly, they were going to get along.

On the way back to Joan’s, Mike said, “How about our Danny then, he’s really grown up all of a sudden.” Joan smiled, “Behind every successful man...” she said. “What do you think I should do about them sleeping together?” “It makes good sense on all fronts,” Mike told her, “But unless you’re ok about it, it’ll destroy you. Think back and ask yourself how you would have felt if our mum and dad had let you two share your bedroom.”

As Mike dropped her off at home, Joan promised to give it some thought.