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‘What’s your family doing inviting this guy to the birthday anyway? Surely if you broke up, then he’s automatically disinvited?’
She shuts her eyes and shakes her head slowly. ‘Are you hungry?’ she asks unexpectedly.
‘I could eat.’
‘There’s a two thousand and three Margaux in that box. Could you decant it?’ She points to an empty bottle. I grab the wine, open it and pour it into the empty.
‘Slowly, Caleb. You don’t want the sediment in the decanter,’ she instructs gently, without being patronising.
She grabs a couple of plates from the cupboard and opens the full oven.
‘Fish pie okay?’
‘Sure. How much have you cooked today?’
‘A lot.’
For the first time since she moved in, she laughs wholeheartedly. I find myself laughing along. It’s a naughty and infectious laugh, with her eyes crinkling at the corners. She sets two places for us.
‘I hope you don’t mind. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal with company in a while.’
I don’t actually, but the ceremony of the place settings is a bit much. Not that I complain. Ariella fills a jug of water for the meal and pours two glasses of wine. She serves some pie and sits next to me. She smells nice. We clink glasses before she begins the story of her and Jasper.
I listen, entertained, surprised and envious. By the time she finishes, I feel like I know her family, and Jasper’s. She confirms a few things I suspected. With a massive house in Surrey, it is obvious that her family is loaded, and so is this Jasper character’s. Her childhood sounds worlds away from mine.
Part of me resents her for having everything so easy that her biggest problem in life is walking out on some boy because she didn’t want to be his wife. She is spoilt and entitled, and the real world is about to hit her in the face.
‘Is the small fedora and whip tattooed on your ankle about him?’
‘Yes.’ She smiles, recalling a fond memory.
Oh shit. She’ll be back with him in no time. The first time I spotted it, I thought she was just low-key kinky, which made her a little more interesting. The reality is much worse. I’m going to have to look for someone else to rent to soon. No way is she done with this guy for good.
She starts to clear away our meal and I join in. I feel the urge to help her. It isn’t her fault she grew up the way she did, and I do feel a little sorry for her. She is out here alone, about to be eaten alive. I also want to see what her real life is like.
‘I’ll come with you if you want,’ I offer.
‘You don’t have to. I should just deal with it.’
‘Do you want a friend there or not?’
‘Really?’
The sweetest smile comes over her face. Surprisingly, it makes me feel good. I imagine that Ariella is the type of girl men enjoy doing things for. Tim is already pissed off with me and on her side after spending seconds with her. I can do this and tell Tim I’ve been nice. Sheisa good housemate, just a little clueless.
‘Yeah. I’ll come with you,’ I say, returning the smile.
‘Thank you, Caleb. It’s formal. Is that okay?’
‘Black tie?’
‘Just a suit and tie will do.’
‘Want me at the family dinner?’
‘I wouldn’t do that to you. If you could come to the party, I’d be very grateful.’
I get it. She’s rising above it.
