Page 105 of My Year of Saying No
Under the table, I grabbed Seb’s hand and squeezed. Harry just sold us a whole table!
‘This triathlon?’ the man said.
‘Yes?’
‘Keep in touch about it. Whatever you raise, I’ll double it.’
It was hard to shock Seb. He’d seen it all. Done it all. But from the tiny movement I made with my head, I could see his mouth open just the smallest amount. Mine, of course, had almost hit the crisp linen tablecloth. I heard a small squeak and came to the conclusion it must have been me.
Closing my mouth, I gripped Seb’s hand even tighter to try and maintain an outward appearance of dignity. Under the table, he placed his other hand on top of mine.
‘That’s extremely generous of you,’ Seb offered.
‘Nonsense. It’s the least I can do. Our servicemen and women don’t get nearly enough assistance through the normal channels. Much of the time it’s down to good people like you to find them the help they need, but none of that comes for free. If I can assist in some small way, it’s an honour to do so.’
Some small way… I knew how much Harry had already raised and it was looking pretty damn good. Luckily for the charity, he had a lot of friends with deep pockets, and from what he’d told us, he wasn’t done yet. And here was this man offering to double whatever he raised. Plus buy a table at the gala. It might be small to him but it was a huge, huge thing for the charity. Seb pushed his chair back from the table, holding out his hand as he stood.
‘Thank you. It’s very much appreciated. I look forward to seeing you at the gala.’
‘I look forward to seeing you again too,’ the man said, laying his hand over Seb’s as he shook it. ‘It was a pleasure.’
‘Blimey!’ Jess blurted once he was out of earshot.
‘Yeah, he’s a good guy.’
‘Think he’ll actually come through on that, though?’ she asked.
‘No shadow of a doubt,’ Harry confirmed. ‘I’ve known him a long time. He’s upfront and says what he means. There are no games with Jacob. I’ll send him the details tomorrow and you’ll have the confirmation from him shortly after. I guarantee it.’
‘Blimey,’ Seb echoed.
Harry tilted his head. ‘Thankfully, not all of my friends are like Tarquin.’
Encouraged by the wine, I made a steeple with my fingers and rested my chin upon them. ‘Can I ask a question?’
‘Of course.’
‘Why are you friends with him? Tarquin, I mean.’
Harry opened his mouth to reply, but I carried on.
‘I mean, I know the whole you’ve been friends with him since Prep school and all that, but people change. Grow up. Grow apart.’
‘Lottie…’ Jess flashed a warning. ‘I’ve never wanted to come between Harry and his friends, or family.’
Harry turned, resting his hand over hers and closing around it. ‘Jess, darling. Of course you’re not. Why would you ever think that you would, or could?’
Jess gave him a look, but Harry seemed genuinely mystified. She shook her head. ‘It’s fine, Harry. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.’
But Harry was not to be pacified. ‘No, clearly there’s something more going on here. I need you to tell me.’
‘There’s nothing. Really,’ Jess said, shooting me a look.
‘I know what Tarquin said upset you, and I will address that. I’ve just needed to take my time because I was so bloody angry, and I want to tackle it in the right way. But I’m now getting the feeling there’s more to this. Someone else has said something?’ He put a hand on her cheek, the gesture tender, nothing but love and concern in his eyes. ‘Please, my darling, tell me.’
Jess let out a sigh. ‘Oh Harry. We both know I’m not exactly what your friends or family would have planned for. I don’t have the background you do, the education, the cut-glass accent, blue blood or white skin. I know none of that matters to you and I love you for that. But we both know it still matters to some people.’
‘Yes, I suppose that is true. It does matter to some people – but not the ones that matter.’
