“Tess thinks she saw a tear on my face when we watched The Fault in Our Stars.”
“Oh, there was a tear.”
“Whose side are you on?” I say, shrugging out of his hold to grab the kettle.
“The side of the truth. Also, I’m not brave enough to disagree with Tess, especially when I want her to iron my top while I’m in the shower.”
Holding his hands in the praying position, he looks to Tess with puppy-eyes. “Before you object, remember I’m leaving the flat for you and Lucy tonight.”
Tess huffs. “Fine. Your favourite one?”
“Yeah.”
“You have a favourite top?” I ask, handing him a cup of coffee.
“My Diesel one with the white stitching.” I don’t know which top he’s referring to but it makes me smile nonetheless. It’s only a small thing, but I love the fact we’re still learning about each other.
When Theodore disappears into the bathroom with his mug, I join Tess in the living room and watch her iron Theodore’s t-shirt on top of a towel on the living room floor. We talk about Lucy for a few minutes, who I’ve only met a couple of times, then she steers the conversation onto Theodore’s mother, causing the nerves to flood back into my stomach.
**********
The smell of lamb arouses my nose when Theodore leads me into his mother’s house. It’s a small terrace and the front door opens up straight into the living room. A man stands from the couch to greet us, and although we haven’t met before, I know it’s Tom, Theodore’s brother. They’re shockingly similar, even the way they walk, but when Tom shakes my hand I notice his eyes are a different colour.
“Tom, James. James, Tom,” Theodore introduces us and I offer a small nod as Tom releases my hand. It’s a little discomforting knowing this man, this stranger, knows all about me, things my own family have no idea about. Still, I’m glad Theodore has someone knowledgeable to discuss my illness with when he doesn’t feel like he can talk to me.
“Nice to meet you, Tom.”
“Likewise.” Tom’s gaze flips to his brother. “Mum’s doing the gravy. Go in at your own risk.”
“I’m not that stupid. I’ll wait for her to come out here.”
“Where’s Tess?”
“She’s making her own way. She should be here soon.”
I hover awkwardly, with my hands in my pockets, while Theodore and Tom chat about their week, and Tom’s new shoes. After several minutes, Tom turns to me and asks about Holden House. He’s making polite conversation, but it isn’t something I particularly want to discuss, so I’m relieved when we’re interrupted by a woman too young to be their mother.
“I’ve been banished,” she says before kissing Tom on the cheek. This must be Jennifer, Tom’s girlfriend. “Hi!” she adds, her voice chirpy, looking at Theodore and I.
“This is James,” Tom says. “Theo’s boyfriend.”
She offers her hand for me to shake. “I’m Jennifer.”
“Jennifer!” the lady who I assume is Theodore’s mother scolds, wiping her hands on her apron. She doesn’t look like Theodore, so I assume he and Tom take after their father. “I told you and that little grandbaby of mine to sit down. You need to take care of yourself.”
Jennifer smiles and rolls her eyes at the same time, before perching herself on the edge of the floral armchair. I’m finding all these unfamiliar faces a little overwhelming. I meet new people every day in my job, but this is different. This is informal and requires idle, friendly chitchat, which unfortunately has never been my forte. In business, I’m direct and authoritative. I’m not there to be liked. I’m there to be listened to. I say what needs to be said and nothing more. Talking in a social setting, however, necessitates a whole different skillset, which I don’t possess.
“Mum, this is James,” Theodore says.
Dropping the cushion she’s fluffing behind Jennifer’s back, Mrs Davenport spins immediately as if she didn’t know we’d arrived. “Oh!” she sings, lunging towards me. Placing her hands on my shoulders, she kisses my cheek. “You’re a smoker.”
My smile falters as she steps away. “Yes,” I reply, forcing the word through my suddenly narrowed throat.
“Did Theo tell you his grandma died of lung cancer?”
“Um, yes. He did.”
The way she stares into my eyes makes me feel twelve years old again. “Hmm.”
Great. She disapproves of me already.
“Go easy, Mum,” Theodore says. The bastard is grinning.
“They’ll be nothing easy about sitting on the edge of his deathbed.” Theodore opens his mouth to respond, but Mrs Davenport carries on talking. “Now sit down in the dining room. I’m going to plate up.”
Tom and Jennifer follow her out of the room and I turn to Theodore, combing my nervous fingers through my hair. “She hates me.”
Theodore laughs, and for a second, I really dislike him. “She doesn’t. She’s just one of those really annoying reformed smokers. Just be yourself, and she’ll fall in love with you.”
My eyebrow lifts of its own accord.
“Okay, maybe not completely yourself,” he teases. “Leave the arrogant arsehole version of you at the door.”
I’d laugh if I wasn’t so nervous. It’s a strange feeling. I’m used to being the voice of authority, dismissing other people’s opinions. I find situations like this awkward. It’s one of the reasons I rarely visit my own family.
“Relax, James,” Theodore says, squeezing my tense shoulder as he leads me into the dining room.
Taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs, I scan the floral wallpaper rather than make eye-contact with anyone. For a while, Theodore and Tom chatter amongst themselves, while I simply listen, admiring the easy relationship these brothers seem to have.
Tess arrives just as Mrs Davenport is bringing out our meals, bursting into the house shouting, “Sorry I’m late!” while wrestling out of her coat. Sitting opposite Theodore, she takes a plate from Mrs Davenport. “Ooo, beef! You’re spoiling us, Angela.”
“It’s lamb,” Mrs Davenport corrects.
“Well, whatever it is smells chuffing amazing.”
Much to my surprise, I start to relax while we’re eating. Conversation centres around Jennifer and the baby scan she had last week, and then it moves to Tess, who lies about where she’s been. She was with Lucy, yet she tells Mrs Davenport she had to nip into work to discuss an error on her wage slip.