On Reflection

Looking in the mirror, Tess was surprised by what she saw

- Claire Buckle

Tess was tugging at the side zip of her dress, bought for her mum's 70th birthday party two years ago, when her husband walked into the bedroom.

'That looks nice,' Ed said. His dark hair was damp from the shower, his shoulders still glistening, and he had a white towel slung around his hips.

Tess gave him a look. Honestly. He had no idea.

Ed hadn't changed a bit since becoming a dad, while she... Well, she most definitely had since she'd given birth to their beautiful Ava, now a year old.

'It doesn't fit. I don't have anything to wear for my brother's wedding,' she muttered.

Ed sighed and pulled on a pair of pyjama shorts before crossing to wrap his arms around her. 'You're as gorgeous now as when we first met,' he murmured, kissing her neck. 'But why not buy something? I walk past that new shop every morning on my way to the station. Some nice stuff in the window.'

Tess slipped out of his arms and eased the dress off, placing it back on its hanger. 'Those boutiques are usually expensive.'

Ed rolled his eyes. 'How do you know unless you look? Why not splash out for your brother's wedding?'

She managed a smile. Motherhood had given her more than she could have dreamt of, but her self-confidence had somehow got lost along the way.