‘Yeah, it was a tough break for him.’
‘Ummhmm.’
Jess glanced around before speaking, lowering her voice when she did. ‘I still struggle to see how someone as lovely as you and someone as… unlovely as him can be such good friends.’
Harry dropped a kiss on the top of her head. ‘I know he doesn’t always present himself in the best light, but I’ve known him since Prep. Our families have been friends for generations.’
‘That doesn’t mean it’s compulsory for you.’
‘I know. He was out of line tonight, and I’m not happy with him for that. I already have plans to talk to him.’
‘Don’t worry on my account. Seriously,’ Seb reiterated.
‘No. He embarrassed me and he needs to learn to think a bit more before he opens his mouth.’
‘Fair enough, but for now let’s just focus on what we’re all here for and celebrate.’ Seb lifted his glass and we all chinked together. ‘Cheers!’
* * *
‘You OK?’ I asked as we walked back from the bank of lifts, having seen my parents off, but not before them having secured an agreement from Seb that he’d come to Sunday lunch the following day.
‘Me? Sure.’
‘OK.’ I nodded.
‘Honestly, Lots. If this is about earlier, put it out of your mind. I have.’
I wrinkled my nose. ‘I just don’t understand why he was like that. I can understand him being rude to me, but he’s never even met you!’
‘People are what they are. But I can think of a couple of good reasons.’
‘You can?’
‘Yep.’
‘Which are?’ I asked, leaning against the wall next to the front door that we’d left ajar.
Seb tilted his head at me. ‘One, you.’
‘Me?’
‘Yep.’
‘Why me?’
‘Because he clearly fancies the arse off you and you turned him down. Twice. And then he sees you standing with me and, by the look he gave, obviously thinks something’s going on.’
‘But it’s not,’ I said, wrinkling my brow.
Seb looked at me for a long moment, then shook his head. ‘No. It’s not. But it’s not hard to see old Tarquin isn’t one worried by the facts.’
‘So, what’s number two?’ I asked, readjusting my position on the wall and trying not to slide down it. All of a sudden, I was really, really tired.
‘You all right?’
‘Mmmhmm. Number two is what?’
‘He’s got a chip on his shoulder about not making it in the military.’
