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Normally I’m in the office until nine or ten p.m., but that night I’m home by six, and Heidi and I order a takeaway, sit at the table, and talk about our day while we eat. Then we get changed and start heading down to Huxley’s Club around seven.
We’re both jet-lagged and fighting tiredness. Heidi’s nervous, and at any moment I expect her to say she wants to go home. I confess to feeling a tad anxious, too. I presume that Mack has told Huxley by now that she’s staying with me. I’m not sure how he’s going to feel about that. I’m guessing there’s a conversation coming about it.
Huxley’s is a business club, with a smart-casual dress code, and although he wouldn’t care if anyone wore jeans tonight, both of us have dressed up a little. As a kind of armor, I think, she’s wearing black trousers and a scarlet top, and she’s done her hair and makeup, and she looks absolutely stunning. I’m also wearing black trousers and a dress shirt.
As it’s not far, we decide to walk, and don jackets and take an umbrella against the blustery rain. I put my arm around her, and she cuddles up to me, shivering as the icy rain occasionally blows across us.
When we arrive at the club, we make our way up in the elevator to the first floor. We go in and make our way through to the Churchill Lounge, where Huxley’s organized for Heidi’s friends and family to meet.
Just outside, Heidi pauses and takes a big breath.
“Are you okay?” I murmur.
She nods. She’s very pale, but I can see from the determined set of her chin that she wants to do this.
We walk in, and there’s a huge cheer as everyone sees her and comes rushing over. Huxley is first, and he gives her a bearhug and says, “Missed you so much!”
“I missed you too.” She squeezes him back, then glances around. “Where are Mum and Dad?”
“Not here yet.”
She blows out a relieved breath. “Okay.”
“I’ll get you a drink,” I tell her, thinking she needs the Dutch courage. I go over to the bar, order her a G&T, and me a whisky.
“Hey.” Mack appears and claps me on the back. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise.”
“Sorry about earlier,” he says. “You should have told me you and Heidi were an item. I’d have given you a lift home.”
“I wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell anyone,” I admit. “Have you told Huxley?”
“Nope.”
“Told Huxley what?” It’s Elizabeth, looking gorgeous in a gray pregnancy top over black trousers, who comes up to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Nothing. Hello, you.” I kiss her back, then glance over at Heidi’s brother, who’s making his way over to us. Heidi is surrounded by her sisters and friends, and she’s laughing, so she seems okay.
“Titus.” Huxley holds out his hand, and I shake it. “Good to see you back,” he says.
“Thanks.”
“And great news about Acheron. Well done.”
“Yeah, it was a huge relief.”
“Can I have a word?” Huxley says. “Privately?”
“Uh…” I look at the G&T that the bartender has just put in front of us.
“I’ll give it to Heidi if you like,” Mack says.
“Okay, thanks.” I pick up my whisky and follow Huxley as he gestures with his head to a quieter corner of the room.
He stops and turns to face me. “Sorry about this, I thought it best to talk to you rather than Heidi.”
