“No,” I say. “I haven’t.”
The bartender returns, handing back our cards.
“Can I also get a glass of sauvignon blanc?” Callum asks, and the bartender chuckles.
“For Elsie?” he asks.
Callum rolls his eyes good-naturedly. “Who else?”
“She knows I keep this bottle here only for her, right?”
“And she very much appreciates it,” Callum says.
The bartender pours the glass, then Callum picks up both of his drinks. I do the same.
“Well—” I start, about to say my goodbyes.
“Why don’t you take this over to Elsie with me?” Callum says.
“Oh,” I say. I look around the crowd, scanning the room. “I actually need to bring this back for—” And then I find him. Jacob’s sitting next to Elsie, leaning in close to her as she nods enthusiastically, waving her hand as she speaks.
“Never mind,” I say. “I’m actually heading there myself.”
We walk over there slowly, balancing our drinks as we squeeze past people.
“Aunt Elsie!” Callum says. He bends down, placing her glass of wine in front of her and brushing his lips against her cheek.
Jacob looks up from where he’s sitting, and I take the empty chair beside him. His eyes find mine, watching me as I slide him his glass.
“Thanks,” he says, his voice a bit gruff. He takes a long sip, his lips glistening when he pulls back.
My stomach flutters.
“You’re welcome,” I say.
I lift my own glass, and Jacob shakes his head. “You didn’t have to buy this for me, though.”
I’ve just opened my mouth, ready to argue, when Callum interrupts. “See,” he says. From across the table, he nudges my arm. “Isn’t that what I told you? You should have let me get them.”
I roll my eyes. “I think you’re already doing more than enough for us with the car.” I turn to Jacob. “Callum thinks it’ll be ready sometime tomorrow.”
Jacob looks over at him, but for some reason, instead of forming a smile at this news, his mouth flattens.
“You’re leaving tomorrow?” Elsie asks.
“Yes. If the car’s fixed by then,” I say.
“It will be,” Callum says.
Elsie looks between the two of us. “You’ve all met then?”
“Yes,” Callum says. “This morning. And again at the purvey. Neelu, and—” He stops. “Sorry, mate, I can’t remember your name from before.”
Jacob’s mid-swallow, so I’m about to speak for him, but Elsie beats me to it.
“It’s Jacob,” Elsie says. “Neelu’s boyfriend.”
I cough, a loud hacking sound. I try to clear my throat, but it only makes it worse, and another cough overtakes me.
