Page 90 of People Skills

‘Inappropriately?’ I say, imagining the worst. Did he grab Hillary’s arse? Honk her boob? Say something heavy with innuendo?

‘I saw him whispering in Mum’s ear.’

‘Oh. Is that inappropriate?’

‘It is to me. Who knows what he was saying.’

‘So I guess that’s still happening.’

‘It’s the whole reason Mum is hosting this party. She’s pretending it’s about Ettie’s birthday and that the secret reason is Lana and Xavier, but the actual secret-secret reason is so she can hook up with Dad again,’ he says.

‘Does Ettie know about them?’

‘No. God no. She’s in no state to process that information.’

‘Well,’ I say, looking at him. ‘I guess we just put out as many fires as we can.’

I step back out of the pantry right as Xavier walks in. Our eyes meet and a flood of relief courses through me. I didn’t realise I was holding so much tension, and that it would all be released at the sight of him.

‘You came,’ James says. He grabs a wine glass and shoves it into Xavier’s hand. ‘You’re going to need this. Lana’s here. So is Dad. And Ettie’s in a mood.’

‘Thanks,’ Xavier says, taking the glass. His eyes seek out mine. ‘Hi,’ he says.

‘Hi,’ I reply. I don’t know if we’re still fighting or not. ‘I’m glad you came.’

I take Ettie’s water over to her. She’s sitting alone on the couch.

‘Thank you,’ she says. ‘I’d thought you’d forgotten.’

‘I got waylaid.’

‘It’s fine. I’m used to being a burden.’

I’m not touching that landmine.

‘Did you want to come out on the deck?’ I ask.

‘No, I’m comfy here.’

‘Is your husband here?’ I say, looking outside hopefully. I will drag that man in here as fast as humanely possible. Why isn’t he looking after his wife right now?

‘He’s not,’ she says.

‘Oh,’ I say. I look around for Xavier. He’s still in the kitchen with James. Everyone else is outside.

‘He couldn’t make it?’ I ask.

Ettie examines another chocolate, squinting at the back.

‘No,’ she says. ‘I didn’t want him here.’

I have no idea what to do with that particular piece of information, and, thankfully, Xavier and James approach at that moment.

‘Hey, Etts,’ Xavier says. ‘Happy birthday.’

‘You walked right past me when you came in,’ she says.

‘I didn’t see you. I’m sorry.’ He hands her a wrapped gift. ‘You can return it,’ he says.