Page 88 of People Skills

So now he’s mad at me. Or he’s mad at Hillary and he’s going to take it out on me.

‘I didn’t know know, well I knew Hillary was going to ask her, but not what Lana said until a few days ago.’

He looks seriously annoyed. ‘You were going to let me walk in unprepared to dinner with my ex?’

‘No. I just told you. So you’re not unprepared.’

‘You told me as an afterthought.’

‘I was waiting for the right time.’ Even I can hear the lie in that sentence.

‘The right time would have been days ago.’

I can’t believe he’s this mad at me about it.

‘Why do you even care? Hillary told me you and Lana are emailing again, that you’re friends again. Which, by the way, you never mentioned to me. So I figured Lana probably emailed you about it anyway.’

‘She didn’t email me about it. And I care because I don’t want to be ambushed.’

‘No, I think you care because you have feelings for Lana again. That’s why you’re having such a big reaction.’

‘And what? You’re plotting behind my back with my mother to get us back together?’

‘No. I’m not plotting. I’m not involved. I don’t care about you and Lana.’

‘Well good. Just…just keep out of it.’

He shuts his book, and stands up and walks off to the bedroom. Rex, who had been curled up next to Xavier on the couch, looks at me and disdainfully licks a paw, then moves closer and I think he’s finally going to give in and sit on my lap, but instead he flicks his tail and follows Xavier.

26

XAVIER AND I haven’t spoken since our fight. We avoided each other for all of Saturday, and now it’s Saturday night, and I don’t know if he’s still coming to Ettie’s birthday dinner. I wasn’t sure what to wear and I’ve put on a long-sleeved black knit dress with a fitted bodice that flows into a fuller skirt. It has a deep V neckline, and that, combined with the body-skimming bodice, makes it a little sexier than I wanted to look, but it’s too late now, and I wear the uncomfortable boots again, because I’m a glutton for punishment. And I’m driving tonight.

Xavier has already gone by the time I leave. His car is not here, so he must have driven too. I’m annoyed he didn’t ask me if I wanted a lift, even though I was in my bedroom with the door shut and music playing, the universal sign for don’t bother me.

Maybe he’s gone somewhere else. I am very uncertain whether he’s going to actually show up. I wonder if James will be there. Poor Ettie: no brothers, just one of their exes and her mother’s employee. What a grim family meal.

I arrive and press the bell and wait. James opens the door. He’s holding a glass of wine and he’s wearing a dark-blue shirt that makes his eyes a startlingly navy blue.

‘Charlotte,’ he says. ‘Thank god you’re here.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s already a shitshow in there,’ James says.

I follow him into the lounge room. There are fairy lights and flowers, and the table is set in a way that makes it clear a professional has done it. There are two waiters here, wearing all black, and another two people in the kitchen preparing food. I have never been at a catered dinner party before. But, of course, if you’re rich, why would you do all this yourself?

I can see Ettie sitting on the couch, looking unhappy, and Hillary beside her. I can see Graham outside, talking to a woman with dark hair and her back to us. Lana.

No Xavier.

‘Mum, Charlotte’s here,’ James calls.

‘Oh, wonderful,’ Hillary says, standing up.

She walks over to me and introduces me to Ettie.

‘Lovely to meet you,’ I say to Ettie. ‘Happy birthday.’