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“Good idea,” Dad nods.
Raising his hand, Nick signals to the waiter who comes over quicklyto clear away the plates. As he does so, Nick asks for the bill, and when it comes, he gives it the onceover before placing a platinum credit card on the table. Dad reaches for his wallet to make a contribution but Nick bats it away.
“This one’s on me,” he smiles.
“Oh come on, Nick, you’ve already done too much for me. Please let me pay for this.”
The two of them argue playfully before Nick finally relents and allows Dad to pay. Despite bailing him out over the mortgage, he knows my father needs to be allowed at least some dignity.
“Okay,” I say, standing up and smoothing down my jacket. “Time to get going. How are you getting home, Dad?”
“Oh, I think I’ll just Tube it back.”
“I can give you a lift,” Nick offers. “My car’s parked just around the corner.”
“Oh no, I’m fine,” Dad laughs. “I’ve already bought a day travel card so I may as well make use of it. I hate wasting money.”
“Okay. Well, if you change your mind, the offer’s there.”
Nick shrugs on his coat and, waving goodbye to the waiter, the three of us head out the restaurant into the street. Immediately, we head in the direction of Oxford Circus Tube station. Once outside, we quickly exchanges hugs and then I watch my father disappear down the steps into the Underground.
“All right, let’s go pick up the car,” Nick grins. “Gosh Carly, your hands are freezing. Have you forgotten to bring your gloves again?”
“Yeah. I keep losing them.”
He squeezes my hand to help warm my fingers. I sigh.He’s such a sweetheart, I don’t know what I’d do without him.
“Overall, I think that went rather well,” he comments as we turn off into a side street.
I nod my head. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and my family. Words can’t begin to describe how grateful I am…” I break off, starting to get a little emotional.
“Hey, hey, what are the tears for? Remember, we’re family now. Nothing is too much for my beautiful bride-to-be.”
I smile. I don’t need words. My expression says it all.
We pick up the Jag and after we’ve been driving for a few minutes, Nick tells me that he wants to take a detour to North London.
“Why?” I frown. “I’m knackered. I thought we were going straight home?”
“I’m sorry, but I promised Tara we’d swing by her place for a bit. She’s having a post Christmas get-together and I said we’d show our faces.”
My neck stiffens. “I don’t really fancy going to a party. I’m so tired and—”
“It’s not really a party,” Nick interjects. “Just a few friends and a bit of music. Nothing too heavy.” He steals a quick glance at me and then returns his gaze to the traffic. “Please do this for me. I know it’s a pain but I’ve been dying to show off your ring to everyone. And remember, these are some of the people who will be coming to our wedding, so it’s a good chance for you to get to know them before the big day.” I make a non-commital sound and he laughs. “Honestly, Tara’s husband is great. I think you’ll really like him. It won’t be as bad as all that.”
I pull a face. “Okay,” I pout. “I suppose we could drop by for half an hour, but please promise me it won’t be an all-nighter.”
“Don’t worry; it won’t.”
For a short time we drive in silence. Then a sudden thought hits me. “Does Tara know you’re a vampire?”
“Of course not. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s the first time I ever really thought about it.”
“Well, she doesn’t. She’s just a regular human being, like you. She doesn’t believe in vampires, or witches, or warlocks.”
“But hasn’t she ever suspected any strange about you?”
