‘Yes. Yes, I think it will be.’
If Oliver was supportive of the changes my sister was making in her life, changes that already seemed to be making her happier and healthier, then I was rapidly becoming one of his biggest fans. By the relieved and happy expressions on the faces of my parents, it looked like I might have competition for that title.
26
‘How’s Jess doing?’ Seb asked as we got off the Tube close to the restaurant where we’d arranged to meet her and Harry for dinner.
I shrugged my shoulders. ‘She’s Jess. She’s being all bubbly and normal but, honestly? I’m a bit worried. I’ve never seen her stunned into silence like she was that night. Tarquin really got to her. I don’t know why. Well, I sort of do, but the things he said? Whatever Harry says, it can’t make her unhear those words. The damage is done. And I don’t know what to do about it.’
‘You can’t always fix things for people, Lottie. You’re there for her, and she knows that. That’s probably the best thing you can do for her right now. Harry’s crazy about her. Anyone can see that. Even a bloke like me!’
I slanted my eyes at him and he gave a wink. ‘I’m pretty sure you’re more observant than you pretend.’
‘I can neither confirm nor deny that.’
Leaning against the door to the restaurant, I faced him, giving him an exaggerated eye roll in reply. ‘Of course, you can’t.’
He shrugged.
Jess waved as she saw us enter, and having handed our coats over, we headed across to the table, exchanging hugs.
‘How are you?’ I asked quietly. I’d spoken to Jess a lot over the past few weeks since the incident, but, like I’d said to Seb, I was certain she hadn’t brushed off the comments as well as she claimed to have.
‘I’m fine,’ she replied, smiling. I still wasn’t convinced.
‘I’m so glad you could both come,’ Harry began, once water and wine had been poured. ‘Ideally, I’d have liked to have done this closer to the night in question, but it was important that Seb was able to be here too, and I know coming down is a bit more of a trek for you, so thank you.’
Seb nodded in acceptance.
Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘Well, as you may have gathered, I basically brought you all here to apologise for Tarquin’s behaviour at the party.’
Seb shifted in his seat. ‘What he said to Jess was out of order, as was the way he spoke to Lottie. But you didn’t have to do all this,’ he waved his hand at the high-end restaurant, ‘for me as well. I can look after myself. Not that these two can’t,’ he gave me a little grin. ‘But you know what I mean.’
‘I appreciate that, Seb. But I felt the need to. I was embarrassed by his behaviour and I have come to think of you, and hope you think of me, as a friend.’
‘Without question. But you still don’t need to buy me dinner. I’m cheaper than that.’ He gave Harry a grin, dissipating his friend’s discomfort and leading us all to relax a little more.
Harry returned the smile and lifted the bottle of Cristal from its ice bucket. ‘Champagne?’
The meal was delicious and the conversation easy and open with a lot of laughter. It was good to see Jess relaxing and I was happy to see Harry and Seb getting on so well.
Just as we ordered our dessert, a man approached. Late fifties, with a bespoke suit and hand-made Italian shoes, he stopped by our table, laying his hand on Harry’s shoulder as he shook his hand, before Harry then introduced him to the rest of us.
‘Of course, you already know Jess.’
They exchanged greetings before Harry moved on to me, and then Seb.
‘And this is Seb Marshall. It’s his charity I’m raising money for with the triathlon next month.’
‘Oh yes, I heard you were doing that. A veteran’s charity, is that right?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Seb nodded. You could take the boy out of the army, but you couldn’t take the army out of the boy.
‘Excellent cause.’
‘There’s a gala in the summer too, if you fancy buying a ticket. Or a table?’ Harry grinned.
The man smiled back good naturedly. ‘I’m sure I can fill a table. Send me the details. I’ll get my assistant on to it.’
