Page 131 of Fe
“I worried it wouldn’t fit through the front door,” Ripley said. “But it did.”
“No magic required then?”
“In the form of a crane and closing the road? Any bigger and that’s what I’d have to have done.”
“Have you made the workmen a drink?”
“Not yet.”
“Ask them what they want.”
Three hours later, the hot tub was full, the cover was on and the guys had gone. Ripley took Fen out for a late lunch in Islington.
“You looked shocked when Christian told you he was going to propose to Judd,” Fen said.
“I thought his name was Toby.”
“Toby’s a nickname.”
“Oh, yes, I was surprised. If there was a poll for which of my friends is least likely to marry, Christian would have been at the top.”And I’d have been in the middle.
“You think he’s changed?”
“He must have.”
Why was Fen curious? Ripley felt as if there was something he wanted to say.
“Have you ever been anyone’s best man?” Fen asked.
“No. Have you?”
Fen shook his head. “I think Seth and/or Morgan might ask me if and when they get married. But it sounded like Christian was masterminding the whole thing.”
“It did.”
“The… The thing is…” Fen stopped eating. “I know Judd. Well, no, I don’t know him. I hadn’t met him until last night but…”
“He’s an actor. You might have seen him on TV.”
“I didn’t have a TV, remember? It’s not that. He’s part of my big secret and I think maybe I have to tell you because you need to understand why I can’t go to Christian and Judd’s wedding.”
Now Ripley was even more intrigued.
“Judd’s my half-brother.” Fen sucked in a deep breath.
What?
“The father we share is Jack Miller. The film star.”
Ripley gaped at him. “Jack Miller as inBlue Stone, Live Forever… James Bond—Jack Miller?”
Fen nodded. “I wondered if you might have guessed after we left the Tate but maybe you didn’t see him.”
“I didn’t. So he doesn’t acknowledge you as his son?”
“No. My mum was sixteen when she met him. Got pregnant. Had me. I told you that for a long time she’d said my dad was dead. Maybe she’d have been better continuing to do that but I pushed. I’ve never told anyone until now. Seth and Morgan don’t know.”
“Did you recognise Judd?”
