Page 32 of You Only Live Once
He let out a sigh. ‘Forty or so.’
‘That’s not a gathering.’ I shot up. ‘That’s a bloody party!’
‘Two hundred is a party in their eyes.’
‘Oh God. That’s a lot of people.’
‘To be fair, there’ll be a lot more than that at the premiere.’
I shot him a look and he held up his hands. ‘Sorry. I was just saying.’
‘I realise that, but having to deal with a large gathering there is part of my work. This is supposed to be moral support for you, to reunite with your family, not visit with half the bloody county.’
‘That’s a bit of an exaggeration.’
‘For someone who rarely leaves their house, believe me, it feels like the entire county. I was being generous.’
‘Point taken.’
I began chewing the corner of my lip.
‘You don’t have to come. I’m sorry. I only just found out about this. It’s not what you agreed to. I promise it will have no bearing on me coming to your event. I already agreed to that, and I won’t go back on that.’
I looked out of the window at the twilight settling around the garden and countryside beyond. Stars began to glitter in the sky and somewhere the remnants of an earlier bonfire drifted wisps of smoke and the faint smell of embers floated through the still open window.
‘No. I agreed to come, and I will. You volunteered to support me. It’s only fair I stick to my promise too. How bad could it be?’ I forced a laugh which I immediately swallowed as I looked back at Jack and saw the expression on his face.
Oh wow. That bad…
* * *
‘Master Jack. How very good to see you.’ The butler’s smile seemed genuine, his bright blue eyes contrasting with the exceedingly tidy short white hair, parted on the side and kept close to his head with what I strongly suspected was Brylcreem.
‘Hello, Dawkins. It’s good to see you.’ Jack held out a hand and, after a moment of surprise which he adeptly, and very professionally hid, the man beamed as Jack shook his hand enthusiastically, covering them both with his left. ‘Really good to see you. Didn’t know if you’d still be here. It’s good to see a friendly face. Yours might be the only one of those I see tonight.’ He winked and the butler shook his head.
‘You’ve been much missed, Master Jack. I can assure you of that. By everyone.’
I stole a glance at my companion. He looked unconvinced, but I liked the man for doing his best to help.
‘This is my friend, Lily, Dawkins.’ He leant closer to the man and, in a theatrical whisper said, ‘Moral support.’
‘Hello.’ I smiled.
I was rewarded with a warm smile and a formal but delightful little bow. ‘A pleasure to meet you, Ms Lily. I believe you are young Felix’s sister? Is that right?’
‘It is. How did you know that?’
‘I remember your family dropping Master Jack off from time to time. Occasionally you were with them, and I never forget a face.’ He gave another kindly smile before calling to another member of staff who took our coats. Reluctantly, we nodded our goodbyes to Dawkins and made our way through towards the sounds of laughter, glasses and talking.
‘I’ve never met a real live butler before.’ I giggled suddenly.
Jack stopped and turned, looking down at me. He looked gorgeous beyond words tonight and the truth was the embers of long-abandoned flame had burst into life and threatened an entire inferno the moment I’d seen him walk in in his tuxedo, clean shaven and dark hair freshly cut short. I’d stood there for a moment, mentally throwing an entire reservoir over myself before he spoke.
‘You look beautiful,’ he’d said. At which point, I’d lost the power of communication, nodded, and waved my hand in his general direction and made a finale of a thumbs up. Yes, a thumbs up. And no, I can’t quite believe it either. Mortifying.
‘Ready?’ Jack said, pausing as we drew closer to the noise.
‘Not really, but we’re here now and I’m not going to let you enter the arena alone.’
