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Everyone turns to him to witness the look of surprise on his face.
‘Our family isn’t complete without you. Your presence has taught us to love, like we never thought capable. We missed you at breakfast this morning. You must not stay away or remove yourself, because each and every single one of us is less without you. Life deals us many challenges and our paths do sometimes diverge, but what holds us together is being a family. We will always be your home. I love you, my son. We all do.’
Jasper tips his head down and away from the table. I want to go to him, wrap myself around him and tell him I’m sorry there and then, but I fight every urge inside me to do so.
After dinner we return to the house, where we hear the upbeat jazz band playing from our driveway amidst the party guests arriving. As our limo pulls up, a black cab pulls in front of us, and out jumps Caleb. He stands still, taking it all in, with his hands in his pockets. He’s tall and crisp in a black suit, white shirt and a skinny black tie, channelling old Hollywood.
His jet-black hair is swept over and flicked to the side, giving him a cool, young Sinatra vibe. His bright eyes shine against the night sky as he looks around. I had no idea he was able to pull handsome and polished out of the bag, which is a relief. As his eyes fall on me, he gives me a quick wink and a sly smile before he starts walking towards the house. I knew he was going to be mischievous.
‘Caleb,’ I call.
He looks around before his eyes settle on me. ‘Ariella? Is that you?’ He walks up quickly and turns to my father first. ‘MrMason?’
My father nods.
‘Good to meet you, sir. I’m Caleb Black, Ariella’s flatmate.’
My father takes Caleb’s outstretched hand.
‘Is this your sister?’ He turns to my mother with a charming smile.
I expect my mom to see right through his cheap charm, but instead she giggles and slaps his arm away. My mother only hits you if she likes you. This is not good.
‘Stop it!’ She beams at Caleb.
I catch Daddy turning one side of his mouth down into a frown. I pull Caleb away as he is checking out my mother. I don’t think so.
‘Caleb, this is Zachary and his girlfriend, Isszy.’
‘Great to meet you, guys – Ariella was right, you are a gorgeous couple.’
‘Come on, let’s go inside,’ I say, dragging him away quickly before he hits on Isszy.
‘You scrub up all right. I didn’t recognise you!’
I take it as a compliment and let it go.
Caleb puts out his arm and I take it as we go up the steps to the house. By the open door, he takes my wrap from my arm and places his hand on the small of my back to guide me in. The warmth of his hand against my cold skin makes me shiver. Caleb then leans in, whispering and laughing into my ear.
‘I’m guessing that you’re not wearing any knickers, and that if I undo the clasp over your shoulder this thing is going to fall to pieces?’
He strokes my shoulder clasp. I instinctively elbow him in the stomach, making him release a loud ‘Oof!’
‘Ariella!’ Mommy yells my name from behind us.
Everyone has just seen me assault Caleb. Jasper, who has caught up with Daddy, is smiling. Great.
‘She’s merciless, MrsMason. And a nightmare to live with.’ Caleb laughs.
Almost everyone joins with laughter and I see the smile abruptly disappear from Jasper’s face.
We are soon enveloped by the sights and sounds of Mardi Gras. Ivory Bow has converted the house into New Orleans, with Bourbon Street starting in the kitchen and ending up in our back garden. I can actually smell Louisiana.
‘Wow! Is this us?’ Caleb asks, astonished.
‘Yes. The production guys have done a great job.’
I stand at the bottom of the stairs with Caleb next to me, which is the cue for the music to die down. As soon as my father relieves my mother of her coat, everyone, including the guests outside, burst into a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’.
