Page 107 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

ChapterForty

Grandmother Scott had been placednext to Owen, separating him from Lexie. He couldn’t help wondering if this was intentional segregation by Lexie’s parents.

Xander and Kate sat opposite, with Xander nearest to the top of the table where his father sat in proud seniority. In contrast, Lexie took the position nearest to her mother at the bottom end and opposite Kate. This left Owen with Xander across from him, Lexie’s father to his left and the deaf grandmother to his right. Owen reflected on the distinct gender segregation and wondered if the good doctor might be misogynistic, perhaps the reason Lexie was sensitive to such behaviour.

Dishes of vegetables were passed around while Doctor Scott carried out major surgery on a large roast chicken.

‘Have you set the wedding date, Xander, dear?’ Gran asked, setting the conversation going on something other than the quality of the vegetables.

‘Er, yes … and no. Not a specific date yet, Gran, but we thought December.’ Xander cast a besotted look at Kate.

Lexie’s mother smiled. ‘How nice – a whole year to organise everything.’

‘Er, no, Mum … this coming December,’ Xander said.

‘So soon?’ Doctor Scott’s tone hinted at criticism, but he did not follow through. Instead, he turned to Owen and, switching the topic back to their meal, he brandished the carving knife and fork above the chicken as he asked, ‘Owen, are you a leg or a breast, man?’

Ignoring the splutter of suppressed laughter from Xander, Owen replied, ‘I’d rather join Lexie with the veggie-bake, if you don’t mind. It looks delicious.’ He tried a smile on Mrs Scott junior, which seemed to embarrass her.

‘You’re not another ruddy vegan, are you?’ the doctor said, waving the carving knife dangerously in Owen’s direction.

‘I’m not a vegan, Dad,’ Lexie argued.

‘And neither am I,’ Owen added. ‘In fact, I’m not even a proper vegetarian. But I like to support Lexie. Also, it’s good for health and the environment to reduce the amount of animal protein we eat.’

‘Stuff and nonsense.’ Doctor Scott obviously didn’t enjoy being advised on health matters. He hacked angrily at the defenceless chicken and dumped its leg on his son’s dinner plate. ‘You don’t want to trust everything you read,’ he said and demanded that Kate’s plate be passed up the table. He wrenched off a wing and sliced a minute portion of the breast for Kate before repeating the process for his wife without asking either woman their preference.

Definitely a misogynist, Owen decided and stared at his empty plate.

Gran leaned into Owen and whispering loud enough to be heard in the next room, she said, ‘When are you planning your happy day, young man?’

‘They’re not getting married, Gran,’ Lexie’s mother said in between spooning out portions of veggie-bake.

The old lady sat back in her chair, astounded by this latest family news. She glared at her daughter-in-law and asked, ‘Why not? You told me they’re living together.’ Owen looked over the old lady’s grey head at Lexie, wishing he could gather her up and go. These weren’t his sort of people. He wasn’t even sure they were Lexie’s. She was staring at her lap. This was hell.

Doctor Scott tapped the table next to Owen. ‘Pass my mother’s plate, will you? Perhaps if she has some food in front of her, she’ll shut up.’

Owen handed the plate to the doctor. Then, maybe not quietly enough, he said, ‘I hope you’ll excuse me for saying this, but that was no way to speak about your mother and certainly not in front of visitors.’

An ominous stillness settled on everyone, and Owen was aware of all eyes on him before the passing of plates and serving of vegetables resumed.

* * *

‘Your father won’t be joiningmy fan club any day soon,’ Owen whispered to Lexie as, later, they followed everyone back into the drawing-room for after lunch coffee.

‘Don’t worry about it. Dad finds it difficult to like anyone new, and you’re probably the first person who’s stood up to him in a long time. He’ll get over it.’

‘That’s okay, then. I’d hate for us not to be bosom buddies.’

Lexie flicked a quizzical look at him before she realised he was being facetious and fell into a fit of giggles.

‘Can I have the car keys now, please?’

‘Where’s he going?’ Gran piped up again as Owen left the room.

‘To the car. He’s left his mobile there.’

‘Isn’t he old enough to survive without his phone for a few hours?’ Doctor Scott remarked acidly.

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