No one but me, I think as I reach for the bill. ‘This one’s on me. It’s been so lovely to see you again.’
‘Fine,’ he says. ‘But the next one’s on me. And let’s not make it so long.’
Chapter Sixteen
We walk quickly back to the car. I push my hands deep inside my pockets. Even with my thick gloves, my fingers are still numb by the time we reach the car.
My phone beeps as I open the car door. I flip it open and peer at the screen.‘I can’t make head nor tail of this. Can you read it?’
Brandon takes the phone and squints at it. ‘It’s certainly not in any language I recognise. Unless it’s French? Maybe it’s from André saying that he’s left his marriage of convenience and is on his way over here at this very moment. Hang on! I think there are some words among the gibberish. Yes, I’m sure there are. I can make outDad,immediately, andtrunk. Do you think your father’s going on holiday?’
I snatch the phone from him. ‘I don’t recognise the number, but I think the text is from Mum.’
I scrutinise it more carefully. ‘I think it’s supposed to say they need me to pick them up. I don’t think that’strunk. I think she’s trying to saydrunk.’
‘That makes more sense,’ he says. ‘Where are they tonight?’
‘At a drinks party. But it’s local, so they were supposed to be walking home. That’s why Dad let me have the car this evening.’
‘Perhaps he’s too drunk to walk,’ he says. ‘Or too cold.’
‘I suppose I’ll find out when I get there. I’ll drop you home en route.’
‘I can come with you, if you like,’ he says.
‘There’s no need. I’m sure I’ll be fine.’
He grins. ‘Let’s hope your dad is too.’
‘Don’t get out,’ he tells me when I drop him home. ‘You’d better go and find out what’s wrong. Text me later and let me know.’
‘I will,’ I promise. ‘But there’s something I forgot to ask you tonight. Are you doing anything tomorrow?’
‘The usual. WatchingWhite Christmasand drowning my sorrows in a bottle of absinthe.’
‘Any other year, I’d offer to join you,’ I say. ‘But do you think you could tear yourself away from Bing Crosby and alcohol poisoning and come to a party with me instead?’
‘At your parents’ house?’
‘No. It’s a long story, and I haven’t got time to go into it now. I have to go to a wedding vow renewal, and there’s a party in the church hall afterwards. I don’t really want to go by myself. Will you come?’
‘How could I refuse such a flattering invitation?’ he says drily. ‘I suppose I could come for an hour or two if it would help you out.’
‘It really would,’ I say gratefully. ‘I’ll text you the details. Thanks, Brandon.’
I wave and drive off, wondering what I’m going to find when I reach the Fielding’s house.
Judging by the noise streaming out, it seems to be quite a large party. I park outside the house and pull out my phone. I have no intention of knocking on the door. I’ll only be swept inside and forced to join the festivities. I’m just here to pick up my parents. The wheel has turned full circle since Dad used to pick me up from parties when I was a teenager.
I quickly text the number Mum used to message me.I’m here as soon as you’reready.
A text flashes up on my screen.Who’s this?
I sigh. Perhaps Mum is drunk too.It’s Annie. Who do you think?
There’s a longer pause before a text comes back.Annie? This is Alex.
I stare at the screen, uncomprehending. I must have got the wrong number somehow. But how likely was it that I accidentally reached Alex Fielding?