‘Love you,’ she said to him.
He stroked her hair, his children trying not to gawp. ‘Love you, too, my little dolphin.’
Charles left the room, leaving more silence in his wake.
Miranda couldn’t stop looking at the bin where Charles had dropped the mug. ‘Mum’s mug. It’s a bad omen.’
‘For goodness’ sake,’ Lewis hissed at her. ‘Get a grip.’
He went over to Jasmine. ‘Is that the ring?’ he asked. ‘Let’s have a look.’
Jasmine put out her hand. Holly and Miranda moved closer to the table.
‘Whoa, baby,’ Lewis said. ‘That’s a stunner, right, Holly?’
‘It is.’
‘The size of that diamond.’
Jasmine’s cheeks had turned pink. ‘I’m kinda embarrassed by it, to be honest. I didn’t need or ask for anything this big, but Charles insisted. He said he doesn’t want anyone thinking he’s a cheapskate.’
‘They certainly won’t think that,’ Holly said.
Jasmine withdrew her hand and put it down by her side. She appeared to be searching for the right words to say next, but when she spoke it was as if she were reciting a speech that she’d rehearsed in her head.
‘I know this is strange for all of you. Charles told me he hasn’t dated anyone seriously since your mom passed. And then, suddenly, here’s this younger woman who you don’t know anything about, and she’s, um, engaged to your dad andstaying in your vacation home with you. I get it. My mom has been married four times and, let me tell you, meeting these guys never gets any less weird. But I’m so excited to meet you all and can’t wait to get to know you. And I love your dad. He’s the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met, and I think, Iknow, I’m going to make him happy.’
She sat back, visibly worn out, her eyes shining with emotion.
‘It sounds like you’re making him happy already,’ Lewis said. ‘And we really are thrilled to meet you and to have you stay here. Aren’t we, girls?’
‘We are,’ Miranda said, eyes fixed on Jasmine’s face.
‘Yeah. Totally.’ Holly smiled. ‘I’m just hungover and tired.’
‘I’m tired, too,’ Jasmine said. ‘I think I might go up after all, take a nap with Charles. Don’t worry about showing me the way. I’ll just follow the sound of his snoring.’
Jasmine got to her feet. I didn’t think this was her trying to escape; she genuinely looked exhausted, like the journey had caught up with her. She left the room.
As soon as we heard the door close above us, Holly said, ‘I’m not imagining it, am I?’
Miranda could barely speak but managed to croak, ‘No.’
‘How could he do this to us? What was he thinking?’
‘Lower the volume, Holly,’ Lewis said.
‘Don’t talk to me like that. Why should I—’
He shot her a look that made her stop talking.
‘Close the door, Pat,’ he said, and I did as he asked. ‘Okay, Holly. You can talk now. But please, try not to yell, okay?’
Holly sucked in a breath. ‘Does she not know?’
‘Maybe she’s never seen a photo,’ Miranda said. ‘Where the fuck is Zack? How could he not have told me?’
I was completely bewildered by what was going on.
