‘We haven’t spoken all night,’ he says eventually.
‘Really? I hadn’t noticed.’
We both know I’m lying, but he lets it pass.
‘And I’m not going to see you for a couple of days.’
I perk up. ‘Why’s that?’
‘I’m away overnight visiting people.’
‘Oh, okay, have fun,’ I say.
‘Your cousin is very friendly.’
Is he making polite conversation or is this what he wants to talk about?
‘Niki?’
He nods but doesn’t elaborate.
I can’t resist explainingwhyshe was so friendly. ‘She thinks your face proves the existence of God.’ I giggle. ‘Which is saying something because she’s a biology professor and literally teaches evolution.’
He smiles and frowns at the same time. ‘How much have you had to drink?’
I reach for my wine glass. ‘Including this one?’
He nods and watches me as I drain it.
‘No idea,’ I reply grinning, inordinately proud of myself. I’m so funny when I’m drunk.
‘Niki and Mario are the kids of your dad’s younger brother?’
‘Huh?’ It’s such a non-sequitur, I’m not sure I’ve heard him right.
He seems to be waiting for me to reply, so I squint hard through the alcohol fog and try to concentrate. ‘Yes, Uncle Tasos, their dad, is my dad’s brother.’
I reach for my glass before remembering it’s empty.
Maybe there’s somezivaniasomewhere?
Mark takes a pitcher of water and fills an empty tumbler.
Handing it to me, he says. ‘You’ll thank me in the morning.’
‘Why? What are you planning on doing to me tonight? The same thing you did at Yan’s party?’
Oops.
I must beverydrunk because I just brought up the very thing I didn’t want to talk about.
He looks stricken, and it takes him an age to find his voice.
‘Is that how you saw it? Something I did to you?’
His honey-coloured eyes desperately search mine. Part of me is pleased he’s so horrified, but my conscience won’t let him take the blame for it.
‘No. You probably don’t remember because you’ve had a million girls since then, butIwas the instigator.’
