Page 6 of You Only Live Once
‘So are you still in New Zealand?’ I asked Jack in a vain attempt to turn the spotlight off myself.
‘Yeah, I’m just at the airport. I fly tomorrow.’
This explained the nondescript background, magnolia walls, with a slightly post-modernist artwork interpretation on the wall to the left of his shoulder vainly attempting to inject some personality into the otherwise bland and soulless room.
‘Long flight.’ I mentally gave myself a head slap. For someone who worked with words for a living, my conversation skills were as flat as a two-day-old lemonade.
Jack didn’t seem to mind. ‘Yep. Good job I’ve got a good book,’ he said, holding up a copy of my latest novel.
‘Oh!’ I was genuinely surprised.
He smiled, and as much as my mortifying encounter with him all those years ago was still etched into my brain, I couldn’t help smiling back.
‘You seem shocked,’ he said, laughing.
‘Pleased,’ I corrected him. ‘I just didn’t think it would really be your sort of thing.’
‘I guess it’s nice to know that I can get to this age and still throw out the old surprise.’
‘You’re hardly old!’ Poppy poked a finger at the screen. ‘And don’t you dare argue with that because I’m only a few months younger than you.’
He grinned. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it.’
‘Did you decide where you’re staying?’ Felix asked.
‘I’ve got a hotel booked not far from you for a couple of days. I’m hoping I’ll be able to sort out a room to rent in that time.’
I looked up through my lashes at the screen. Was he resentful that I hadn’t agreed to let him stay here? He was either a really good actor or he genuinely wasn’t bothered.
‘I’ve been in contact with some of my old clients and they seem pretty happy for me to restart with them again, which is good news. I’m effectively building the business up from scratch again, so a mortgage is pretty much out of the question, especially with having been out of the country for so long.’
‘Don’t you just ring up Coutts, say your family name and receive bags of money?’ I asked, partly as a tease and partly as a genuine question. His family was loaded, so why he never took advantage of that seemed a little strange.
‘Ha. Funny.’ The slightest accent he had picked up twanged occasionally in his words.
‘Of course, like I said before, you can always stay here with Lily,’ said Felix. ‘She’s got four spare rooms as it is. And there’s plenty of space, so you’d never even have to see each other if you didn’t want to.’
I hid behind my mug and planned my brother’s demise. The best way to ensure that we didn’t see each other would be by Jack not being here at all. I glanced at Poppy and even she looked unsure, knowing I’d already vetoed the suggestion.
‘And like I said before,’ Jack stated. ‘It’s not fair on Lily. She likes her privacy and the last thing she needs is me descending on her home.’
‘Rubbish. The company would be good for her.’
‘I thought you just said that we’d hardly see each other,’ I couldn’t help adding.
Felix shrugged. ‘Well, you don’t have to. I’m just saying it wouldn’t hurt to actually speak to another human being every now and then.’
‘I do speak to other human beings every now and then. I also speak to you, so I’ve got all the species covered.’
Jack’s laugh burst from the screen. Felix turned to him and he straightened his face immediately, although I could still see amusement dancing in his eyes.
‘I’m only talking temporarily. It would give Jack a local base from which to build his business. God knows he’s spent enough time in featureless rooms and rented accommodation already.’
Had he? Why?
‘Just until he’s back on his feet.’
‘Felix, mate? I know you’re trying to help, but badgering Lily isn’t the way I want to go.’
