Page 4 of The Importance of Being Emma
‘I’m not surprised.’
‘Hewascoming, right up to the last minute, then something cropped up.’
‘That man wouldn’t turn up to his own funeral if he had the choice.’ I added, casually, ‘What about me, was I missed?’
‘Probably, since you’re still meant to be one of the most eligible bachelors in Surrey. And you know what they say, even these days — one wedding leads to another. I’m sure some of the women only accepted the invitation in the hope of seeing you reduced to a romance-sodden wreck at the sight of confetti.’
‘Thank God I couldn’t get home until today, then.’
She gave me a sidelong glance. ‘Still seeing Tamara what’s-her-name?’
‘Yes.’
‘Isn’t it about time you got married?’
‘Why?’
‘Because you’ve been together for five years.’ Her lips tightened. ‘What’s the point if it’s not leading anywhere?’
‘We each have certain needs and our arrangement suits us both very well.’
‘So it’s just for sex?’ she said, rather bluntly I thought.
‘No, it’s not. We help each other out when we need a partner, either for a particular function or simply to scare other people off.’ I grimaced. ‘If I’d been coming to Kate and Tom’s wedding, I’d definitely have brought Tamara.’
She moved towards the door. ‘Sounds positively dreary and, you’re right, not a good basis for marriage. Anyway, thanks for getting rid of the wasp. Were you on your way to see Dad?’
I didn’t answer immediately. She was wrong, what Tamara and I had was anything but dreary. Predictable, yes; and convenient. But that was its appeal; although I had to agree, it was hardly the basis for marriage. Actually, it was better, I had all the advantages of marriage with none of its emotional warfare or financial complications.
‘I’m meeting him at nine thirty,’ I said curtly.
‘I’ll come with you. He asked me along for nine thirty as well.’
‘How is he, by the way?’
‘Same as always. Whatever he may say, he’s got no major health problems. But he’s sixty-one and sometimes I wonder how much longer he should go on working. I don’t mean he’s incapable, more that he can’t seem to move with the times. Business is done so differently these days.’
I waited until we were walking along the corridor to Henry’s office, then said, ‘In some ways. But the essentials don’t change, you still need things like integrity, and ethical principles, and sound common sense.’
I winced as she burst out laughing.
‘Mark Knightley, they should stuff you and put you in a museum!’
* * *
~~EMMA~~
Dad sipped his fennel tea and eyed us over the rim of his cup. ‘My stomach’s terrible, I’m sure it’s because Kate’s not here. And, do you know, I had to boil the kettle myself? The new PA’s nowhere to be found.’
I gave him a reassuring smile. ‘She’s in with Mary, and I told you not to have that second helping of porridge this morning.’
‘You look remarkably well, Henry,’ Mark said.
Dad shook his head as he placed the cup down on its saucer. ‘Ah, Mark, sometimes I just have to battle on regardless. And this is one of those times. Emma’s first day as Marketing Director, the first Board meeting for both of you, my first Monday without Kate . . .’ His voice trailed off and I guessed there were too many firsts around for comfort.
‘We’ll manage,’ I said, reaching across the desk and patting his arm.
‘I’ll never be able to get used to — whatever her name is.’
