Page 14 of Fe
“Do you see much of your parents?” Ripley asked.
“I see my mum every couple of weeks.”
“Is your father still alive?”
“Yes, but I don’t see him.”
“Why not?”
“He’s never been in my life.”
“Why not?”
Fen shrugged. Why was he pushing? “You’d have to ask him. What about your family?”
“No siblings. Father…dead. Mother claims to have the beginnings of dementia but only when it suits her. She has a live-in companion.”
“Is that how things ended up in the auction?”
“She did it to irritate me.”
“Almost losing your grandfather’s George Cross?”
Ripley grimaced. “I’ve had words with her. I don’t think it was deliberate.”
“Don’t be unkind.” That had slipped out.
“Why would you care if I’m unkind to my mother?”
“Because she’s your mother.”
“Are you unkind about your father who’s never been in your life?”
Fen shook his head. “I don’t waste a breath on him.”
“But you know who he is?”
Fen tried not to react. There was no way Ripley could know the name of his father. Only he and his mum knew. Maybe Alistair too if she’d told him. “Yes. I know who he is. And you’re not a good barrister if you don’t take in the expression on my face sayingshut up about my family.”
Ripley smiled. “But a good barrister keeps pressing until he gets the answers he wants.”
“Not from me.” Fen pushed awkwardly to his feet. “I’m not in a courtroom.”
Ripley looked shocked. “Don’t go. Sorry. Please sit down. You’re right about me finding you interesting. And interesting people tend to have interesting lives. Please don’t go. I won’t ask about your family again.”
Fen sat down. The food arrived moments later. It looked amazing. A stacked-up tower, topped with sage. No way was Fen going to be able to eat it all.
“Think it’s all right if I take a picture?” Fen asked.
“Go ahead.”
Then I’ll have another one of you too.
5
Ripley couldn’t help staring at Fen and that…eyeliner. Since when did he like guys who used eyeliner? Since when did he like guys as young as this? Especially mouthy ones. When Ripley had seen him in the shop, with that indignant expression on his face, those wide blue eyes blazing with irritation, Ripley had been intrigued. Now Fen looked…sexy, slightly dangerous, far too young and vulnerable, andnot my fucking type. AT ALL! Yet somehow, exactly what he wanted, which made no sense. And why did he look vaguely familiar?
“Are you going to watch me eat?” Fen asked.
