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Alice’s smile falters.

“We’re leaving? So soon? Why?”

“It’s been a long evening, Alice.”

She looks as though he’s just kicked her in the gut.

“My work just hit the peak of sales in this entire auction and you want me to race off in the car like it means nothing? Are you for real?”

The words seem to surprise her as much as everyone else. She opens her mouth like she’s committed a crime.

Jack’s mouth curves into a fresh grin, pride flashing across his perfect features.

Bill notices, but Jack shrugs gently.

“Five minutes,” Bill says to Alice. “As I said. It’s late. Please don’t keep us waiting.”

Christopher places a hand against Alice’s back.

“I’ll stay with you.”

“No,” Alice says, trying to regain her composure. “Go with Mum and Dad.”

Christopher’s hand remains where it is, but she steps forward, forcing him to remove it.

“I mean it, Chris.”

Christopher looks towards Bill, and Bill gives the smallest nod.

“Let her say her farewell, Chris.”

Farewell.

The word lands badly. Alice’s eyes widen as she looks at her dad.

Bill turns towards Jack. “Good evening, Mr Reid.”

“Until the next opportunity,” Jack says.

The confidence in his voice makes the words unmistakable. A promise.

“Don’t hold your breath,” Bill says.

He holds Jack’s gaze for a long moment, then walks towards the exit.

Christopher follows more slowly. Behind him. But he doesn’t get very far.

Jack raises his champagne glass when he’s a few feet away.

“By the way, Christopher, I hope your father’s doing all right. Terrible to hear he might not be.”

Christopher stops dead.

Alice visibly stiffens when Christopher turns to face us.

“My father is perfectly well,” he says.

Jack’s smile brightens.