Theo’s in what looks like a work suit but without the tie and jacket.
He beams at me. ‘Nella, I can’t thank you enough for being here at such short notice. Especially with all that’s going on. How’s your dad?’
‘Itching to get out of hospital.’
‘Tell him to listen to his doctors,’ says Mark sternly. ‘Nothing strenuous, even after he’s out. We don’t want the sutures opening.’
‘Yes, sir.’
That earns me a look.
‘Well, he’s got the wedding to take his mind off things,’ says Theo.
‘Speaking of which,’ says Mark, opening his laptop.
‘Hang on a sec.’ I open my tote bag and take out the tray ofgalatoboureko. ‘This needs to go in the fridge. It’s the first time I’ve made it, so it won’t be a patch on Mrs Evi’s.’
Mark’s hand pauses on the Pyrex. ‘You made it?’
‘After last night, it’s the least I could do.’
The look on his face floors me, like a stray dog experiencing human kindness for the first time.
I search for a way to lighten the mood. ‘Maybe I should have tried to make tiramisu?’
In an instant, his expression changes from child-like wonder to somethingmuchmore adult.
He smiles slowly. ‘Mascarpone can be … hazardous.’
‘I wouldn’t know, so I’ll have to take your word for it.’
Theo is looking at us curiously. ‘What do you mean mascarpone can be hazardous?’
‘For the carpet,’ says Mark breezily, his eyes not leaving mine.
‘Yan is very precious about it,’ I add.
‘Right,’ says Theo unsurely. ‘We’ll make sure to be careful. If it’s all the same, can we get started? Tig’s expecting me back for dinner.’
We run through the routine and I can’t believe how improved Theo is. And, by the way he’s grinning, I can tell he finally feels confident.
He cuts his eyes to Mark. ‘What does the expert think?’
‘Pretty good,’ he says.
‘Oh, come on,’ I say. ‘He’s made leaps and bounds.’
‘He’s not quite getting the lift right. There’s a pause where it should just flow.’
‘I know, I know,’ says Theo. ‘I watch that video ten times a day, but the camera doesn’t show where the man’s hands go, so I have to fudge it.’
‘I’ve got an idea,’ says Mark, standing. ‘I’ll demonstrate on Nella, and you film it on your phone. Make sure my hands are in shot.’
He turns to me. ‘You okay to do the lift with me?’
‘Yeah, no worries,’ I say, even though I’ve got alotof worries because it’s fine plodding around with Theo, who’s too busy counting or looking at his feet to put any feeling into the dance. But this routine is pretty steamy, and I’ve got a malfunctioning Reptilian Brain to contend with.
Mark takes my hand, and places his other hand at the small of my back. I look anywhere except directly at him.
