After a few weeks and several carefully worded phone calls, the day dawned when I would have to meet his parents and they could meet the girl who had captured their son’s heart.

What to wear, will they accept me,will his relationship with his family be ruined for all time because of me?

On the day the weather had turned a little cooler than I had planned for so a quick change of outfit was planned.Standing in my dressing gown and applying my makeup in the dressing table mirror, panic sets in, can’t you phone and say urgent business calls me away, or shes wrestling an elephant or any plausible excuse I implore. Standing quite calmly he says,"No, I’m not and you are going Sarah Jane Tompkins even if I have to drag you screaming". I knew there was no escape as my full name only calls me when things are a little desperate. Pulling on a black T-shirt and my best long red suit pearls in my ears and around my neck I feel a little happier. The confidence grows as I pack my handbag with the survival kit, makeup, spare tights, Aspirin oh and my purse just in case its the bus home.

After a lively drive in the car he talking, briefing me and I hoping my brain can absorb the facts we arrive at a lovely restaurant on the river have been briefed on his parents lifestory, brothers, sisters in fact everything the prospective "Daughter in law" needs to know.

As we climb out of the car a smart Mercedes swoops in and pulls into a space next to ours. I stand surveying the scene clutching my bag as a tall elegant lady gets out of the car and comes across " hello Darling" she says and after a hug with her son, I'm greeted " you must be Sarah how lovely to meet you, I've heard all about you".

Despite the smiles my stomach is obviously training for an Olympic gymnastic squad, Hello, I stammer a poor reply but any moment the bubble is sure to burst.

A Distinguished looking man in a blazer and tie has joined the throng, hello Sarah how do you do, I hope you haven't been waiting long.

We head in for the lunch and soon we are laughing and joking like another Sunday lunch. Before the coffee arrives Adrian’s mother announces she would like to powder her nose a cue for me to join her so picking up my bag I join her for a visit to the powder room. Afterwards we make our way back to the table, On second thoughts she says lets take a look at the garden I do love roses don't you. We head of into a little courtyard and talk. She told me she knew all about me but added you are very lovely and although we are a little shocked you have brought about a change in our son’s life, he seems so content. I was lost for words whilst we walked back to the table and rejoined the two men. I enjoyed listening to the parent and son banter the rest of the meal.

It was time to leave and after thanking the "in laws"in the car park I quietly reflected that I had not been lynched or was going away hurriedly after an upset.

The next day I received some flowers followed by a telephone call to say we loved meeting you, I cried a little that night and prepared for the next task, to meet the sisters and brother.

Footnote yesterday it was our turn to host a lunch for the family, and yes I'm still nervous but I am accepted as one of the family although it is a shame that the "mother in law" can't have that title officially.

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