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“This way,” Oliver said, running for the door. “I gotta show you my new train set, Jesse. It’s amazing.”
“Thanks, Ant,” Jesse said as he reached the door. “I appreciate it.”
“The more the merrier,” Anton said, assessing Tom.
“How do you do?” Tom said with a warm smile, shaking Anton’s hand.
“Wow. Posh,” Anton grinned. “Not too posh for beer before lunch, I hope?”
“I should hope not,” Tom said and sent a small smile Jesse’s way. Anton took their coats and directed them to the sofa by the electric fire. Oliver commenced showing Jesse all his presents. Anton pressed beer into their hands, and Sareena darted to and from the kitchen, vocally ecstatic to have another guest to help with all the food.
Tom laughed easily with Anton, discussed cooking and books with Sareena and trains and motorbikes with Oliver. When they sat down to lunch, Jesse had the uncanny feeling that Tom was already more a part of the family than he was.
* * * *
The meal was cleared, champagne was poured and the sun, visible through the patio doors, began creeping toward the horizon.
“Do you really have to go?” Oliver said as Jesse and Tom put on their coats.
“Now, Oliver,” Anton said. His face was slightly ruddy with drink as he beamed at Jesse. “I’m sure these guys have their own plans for the evening.”
“Ant,” Sareena scolded but she was smiling with her hands on Oliver’s shoulders. “It was lovely to meet you, Tom.”
“And you, Mrs. Truelove.”
“Sareena, please. Come again, won’t you?”
“That would be nice, but rather up to Jesse.” Jesse opened his mouth without knowing what would come out of it, but then Tom took his hand. “Come on. We should get back.”
“Right,” Jesse said, nodding a little too quickly. “Right.”
They didn’t speak as they climbed back onto the bike. Sunset blushed the sky with gold as they wheeled the bike back into the garage at Oswald House.
“Come on,” Tom said quietly, not meeting his eye. “Dimity will be waiting for you to take her on that walk.”
“Thanks for today,” Jesse said as they made their way back to the house. “I mean it. It meant a lot. Kept my brother from quizzing me about everything at the very least.”
“Hey, what are friends for?”
Guilt lanced in Jesse’s chest.
Dimity sat on the stairs. She had her chin in her hand and a sulky look on her face. Jesse frowned as he took in her riding coat, aquamarine jodhpurs and the tiny whip in her hand. The sulky look vanished when she spotted him. She sprang to her feet.
“There you are,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. “You’re very late.”
“Sorry, love,” Jesse said, ignoring the amused look on Tom’s face. “I was with Olly. Remember Olly?”
Her face brightened. “Is he here?”
“Sorry, sweetie…no.”
“Oh.” Her face fell but then she squared her shoulders and gestured at the door. “Never mind. It’s time for our walk, like you promised.”
“Why are you dressed like that?” he asked warily.
“I’m riding Ruby. Hector’s saddling a horse the right size for you, too. You have a helmet, right?”
“Uh…what?”
