‘Hurry up and get the drinks in before Pixie announces the results,’ Gage said. ‘I’d hate to think the Back of Beyond Brains are going to beat us — again.’
* * *
Tamara revelled in the sight of her friends laughing, chattering and generally enjoying each other’s company. The discussion that’d been ongoing between quiz rounds was still in flow as they struggled to decide what theme to settle on for next year’s book selections. So far, Amy’s suggestion of the twelve books all being set in different countries had an edge over Josie’s idea of novels published in every decade from the beginning of the twentieth century. Frankly, she wasn’t passionate either way. The company and friendship meant far more.
Her gaze strayed to Gage and she studied the back of his head. His black hair was longer and thicker these days, but she wouldn’t be able to enjoy it that way for much longer. Yesterday he complained that relaxing into civilian life was one thing, but looking like a yeti — his words, not hers — was a step too far. The floppy-haired Hugh Grant look was never going to be an option.
She couldn’t help worrying about Gage. He’d been far more deeply affected by his unsatisfactory conversation with Wally Harris than he wanted to admit and she wasn’t sure how to help him.
‘Get ready to mark the last answer sheet and find out this month’s champion,’ Pixie yelled.
‘I’m going to be so furious with myself when I hear the answer to that Latin one.’ Evelyn shook her head and frowned.
‘You can’t know everything, dear sister.’ Ophelia’s teasing earned a sharp look from Evelyn, before a wry smile took over and she made a joke about always being able to rely on family to put you in your place.
‘I’m some sorry my dad was worse than useless with poor Gage,’ Becky whispered. ‘He’s a thoughtless old bugger sometimes.’
‘You’ve spoken to him?’
‘Rang me, didn’t he? Thought I’d be sympathetic.’
‘I take it you weren’t?’
‘Not bloody likely.’ Becky bristled. She’d torn her father off a strip and told him he’d better try to make amends next week or he wouldn’t be welcome at her house again.
Tamara grimaced. It would tear Gage up if he felt responsible for driving a wedge between a family who’d rubbed along fine before his reappearance in their lives.
‘Don’t you worry, love. Dad will come around. Anything for a peaceful life is his motto.’ The mildly despairing remark sounded like a parent talking about a recalcitrant toddler. ‘He’s weak. No staying power. When things get tough, Dad throws in the towel, moves on and starts again.’
‘But you still love him.’
Her friend turned bright red.
‘I’m not criticising you. It’s completely understandable.’
Becky patted her hand. ‘I’m some glad Gage came to find me.’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘And met you while he was at it.’
‘Me too.’
‘Are you pair ever going to stop nattering?’ Laura shushed them.
‘You’re worse than Evelyn,’ Tamara groused.
Pixie started to read the last set of answers, but stopped when she reached the final question to do a mock drumroll on the bar. ‘I’ll ask Gage to tell us the answer because no one else got it right.’
Evelyn’s groan resonated around the pub, and there were a few smirks and satisfied mutters from their fellow contestants.
‘The bugger were in the marines, so the rest of us didn’t stand a chance,’ Vernon Bull complained.
Gage would be deeply embarrassed if Tamara had a go at the shopkeeper and ordered him to watch his words. She would love to remind Vernon how much he’d given for his country with very little thanks. But her hero would say, and quite correctly even if that irked her in the moment, that Vernon’s right to free speech was worth fighting for.
Pixie patiently explained how she got all the questions from a pub-quiz group online, so there had been no fixing and never would be. She wrapped up with the tart comment that they could take up any complaints with the new owners in January. ‘Put them out of their misery, Gage.’
‘Per Mare, Per Terram,’ he said firmly and proudly. ‘By Sea, By Land.’
‘Well done. That clinches the trophy for Proper Choughed tonight, so I think it’s only right you come up.’
A lump lodged in Tamara’s throat as he straightened his stance and walked over to the bar, his awkward gait barely visible over the few short steps. The usual round of applause, cheers and jeers continued for several minutes.
