It’s Monday night and I’m in Vandi’s kitchen helping her make Tuscan chicken with orzo. My contribution so far involves skipping songs on Spotify she doesn’t like and topping up her rosé.
Her eyes widen. ‘Why do you think that?’
‘His sister works at a gallery in Paris and I saw something on her Instagram.’
‘What did you see?’
‘His suitcase. Or at least, one that looks like his and happens to be stamped with his initials: R. O. E. B.’
‘Okay, quick sidebar: he’s gottwomiddle names? Bit pretentious.’
‘Richard Orlando Edmund Benson. In his defence, that’s on his parents, not him.’
‘Fine, I’ll give him that. Have you spoken to him yet?’
‘I’ve got nothing to say to him.’
‘Surely you’ve got things you ought to discuss, though. Aren’t you going to see him at work tomorrow?’
‘I don’t want to think about that. Tonight I want to enjoy your fantastic cooking.’
She serves up, and we take our plates and wine to the living room, arranging ourselves cross-legged on the floor.
‘How’s it going at home?’ she asks, as we tuck in.
‘Fine and dandy. Tig’s getting married in three weeks.’
She almost spits out her wine. ‘What? To that guy she’s been seeing for five minutes? Are your parents okay with that?’
‘Sadly, they are because Theo’s a nice Greek boyandhe’s a doctor.’
Vandi rolls her eyes. ‘My parents would be exactly the same. “Here’s a nice Hindu doctor, please rush headlong into matrimony, there can’t possibly be anything wrong with him.”’
‘Have they started trying to match-make again?’
‘No, thank God. My life doesn’t need more drama. You’ve given me quite enough, thank you.’
‘Talking of dramatic twists, here’s a fun fact for you. The best man is Mark Marino.’
‘What?No friggin’ way.’
‘He’s Theo’s best friend – they studied medicine together in Leeds.’
She shakes her head. ‘What are the chances?’
‘It gets worse.’ I take a sip of my wine. ‘He’s supposed to be moving to South America but postponed it for the wedding and he’s staying with – of all people – my brother.’
‘Jesus Christ. What was Yan thinking?’
‘He doesn’t know what happened at Leo’s funeral.’
Vandi was the only person I could bear telling.
‘I’m so sorry, Nell.’ She squeezes my arm. ‘Maybe you can avoid him until the day itself?’
‘I saw him last night. He turned up at Tig’s unannounced.’
‘Oh, balls. How was it?’
