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“No, of course not. It’s just that…”
“Did George put you up to this?” she cuts in furiously.
I twist my hair in one hand and wipe the sweat off the back of my neck, staring ahead at my reflection, avoiding her gaze. George did have a private word with me last Saturday when I went round for dinner. I don’t want to lie to Vicky but I don’t want to land George in it either.
“He did, didn’t he?” she huffs as the doorbell goes off in the background, “I knew it. Right!” She tosses her eyeliner into her makeup bag angrily.
“Vicky, please, don’t.” I put a hand on her arm, “He’s worried about you, that’s all. We all are.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me, Audrey! I’m fine. Look.” She stretches her arms out. “I’m still in one piece. Why does he insist on making me out to be some kind of nutter?” There’s a knock at the door.
“Girls?” It’s George. “Everything okay in there?” He rattles the doorknob. Vicky opens her mouth to speak but I quickly cover it with my hand, my eyes pleading with her tight, livid face.
“Yes, George, we’re just freshening up.” I stand in front of the door like a bodyguard. “Please, Vicky,” I whisper, “don’t.” She’s close to tears and I’m not sure what to do.
“Our dinner guest has arrived,” George says brightly, “Mum wants you two gorgeous girls downstairs pronto.” Vicky pushes past me, silently fuming, opens the door, glares at George then stomps off down the stairs. “Vicks,” George calls out after her, “Vicky? What’s wrong with her?” George looks at me, confused.
“Not now, George,” I warn, brushing past him and following Vicky briskly down the stairs.
“Ahh, there you all are,” Mum says joyfully. “I was about to send out a search party. I duck behind Vicky and George, straightening my top. “Daniel, this is my son, George, and his wife, Vicky, their children, Florian, Josh and Nathan, and…where’s Audrey?” Mum scans the room.
“I’m here,” I say in a little voice.
“And my daughter, Audrey.” And as Daniel turns to greet me I stare into the depths of familiar blue eyes.
“Cinderella?” He wags his finger at me, grinning. “I almost didn’t recognise you with your clothes on.” Mum’s eyes widen. “Oh, no, no, it’s not what you think, Mrs Fox. Audrey and I met on the beach in Cyprus several weeks ago, didn’t we, Cindy?” He winks at me and I give him a coy smile.
“Well, what a bloody coincidence,” George offers Daniel his hand and they shake heartily.
“Yes,” I smile, feeling my cheeks tingle.
“I call it serendipity.” Daniel smiles, holding my gaze. Clearly, he’s a natural flirt. Probably comes with the job. I know his type, happily married with a mistress on the side. But if he thinks I’m going to fall for his charm, he’s got another thing coming. He averts his gaze to Mum. “Dinner smells lovely, Mrs Fox.”
“Oh, drop the Mrs Fox, you can call me Ruby. Come along, everyone.” She claps her hands, “Let’s eat.”
Vicky ignores George for the most part of the meal, only conversing with him over the children in dark, sharp tones.
“So how long have you two been married?” Daniel asks them politely. I spy him from the corner of my eye. He is quite handsome in a clean-cut sort of way, freshly shaven, well-groomed, and all smiles and teeth. He has a slight kink in his nose, which is quite attractive, and his charisma has illuminated the table, even Vicky seems taken by him, not quite sure whether that’s a good thing, though.
“Ten years next February.” George reaches for Vicky’s hand but she snatches it away and busies herself with Florian, urging him to eat his vegetables. George draws his hand away, curling his fingers into a limp fist, and glances at me, hurt.
“Great thing marriage,” Daniel says, buoyantly. “If you find the right person, that is.”
“If, being the operative word,” Vicky mutters under her breath and my heart plummets. “Oh, George, please tell Florian he has to finish his supper,” she snaps irritably, “or no iPad.” Daniel, sensing the tension, moves on to me.
“What about you, Audrey. Married? Kids?” There’s a sudden hush at the table, eclipsing the mood. Cutlery clutters against plates, the twins whine, Florian announces that green beans make him fart, and I don’t know what I’m doing or where to look.
Dad speaks first. “Top-up, Daniel?” And before he can answer, Dad’s pouring red wine into his glass.
“Oh, God,” Daniel stops eating and looks at me, “Have I said the wrong thing?”
“Well,” Mum begins.
“Auntie got ditched by that shi…” Florian blurts out. Vicky berates him quickly, and he sinks sulkily into his chair, folding his arms. But it’s too late. The truth is out.
“It’s okay, Vicky.” I put my cutlery down and brace myself. I’ve got nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. “I was going to get married early September but it didn’t work out.” I take a large glug of wine, exchanging glances with Dad. His face is tight and dark, I know he can feel my pain.
“Ah, so you’re still a Foxy, then,” Daniel grins. The tension loosens and everyone returns to their food, slumping with relief.
