Henry hesitated. ‘Do you mind if we don’t talk about it, Jessica? Ruby pretends not to, but she gets awfully upset if she knows we’re talking about her mother. Usually ends in a bout of bad behaviour, taking it out on me and the teachers at school.’
‘Of course, of course,’ I said hurriedly, embarrassed at my jumping in with two great feet. Had I no sense of propriety?
The conversation moved somewhat aimlessly onto schedules and balancing everyday home life with work and eventually, as I made a dressing for a desultory-looking cos lettuce and a couple of ageing tomatoes, moved on to Fabian.
‘Must be amazing going into business with such a clever bloke.’ Henry smiled. ‘I followed the court case of the Soho Slasher. Shame he felt he had to give up on defending Rupert Henderson-Smith.’
‘Rupert Henderson-Smith has become as infamous as the Yorkshire Ripper. Everyone remembers the name Peter Sutcliffe, even now, almost fifty years on. Fabian,’ I went on, ‘realised he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if the man went scot-free after doing what he did to those poor women in Soho. But you’re right, Fabianisclever. Very clever.’
‘And is he continuing to use his remarkable defence skills?’ Henry swirled his glass of wine, still sniffing and appreciating the bouquet, obviously more interested in the Merlot’s, rather than Fabian’s, inherent qualities.
‘Oh no, no,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘He’s had enough of all that. He wants to be known as a great chef, at the forefront of a fabulous new restaurant rather than always being associated with a serial killer. He just wants to be up here in Yorkshire with my sister; wants to make a success of The White House. He’s a very talented cook,’ I added proudly, suddenly realising I could talk about Fabian simply with pride and affection rather than wishful thinking. Fabian Mansfield Carrington was simply the lovely man who adored my sister, the man I was lucky enough to be working with. I smiled at the little crush I’d developed on Fabian, realising itwaslittle, not a bit important and well and truly over.
‘Something’s amusing you?’ Henry folded his arms, smiling himself, concentrating now on what I was saying.
‘Oh.’ I shook my head, still smiling. ‘Just remembering something…’
‘About Fabian?’
‘About myself.’
‘So, he’s not defending in court any more?’
‘He did take on one case as a favour to my sister…’ I broke off, not wanting to bring Joel into the conversation. Joel was doing well now: back at school, being the almost perfect house guest and, as much as I liked a good gossip as the next person, I’d been warned by Andy Somerville not to talk too much about him.
‘Oh?’ Henry sipped at the wine. ‘Do have a glass of this, Jessica. It’s quite sublime.’
‘Better not.’ I smiled, adding the macaroni to boiling water. ‘I’ve to drive home.’
‘There’s always a taxi.’ Henry returned the smile, catching my eye so that I found myself having to look away as my pulse raced at the very thought of what I might be letting myself in for with this man. ‘And I believe the plan is for… for… Layla…’
‘Lola,’ I corrected.
‘For Lola to stay for a sleepover with Ruby?’
‘That’s the plan,’ I agreed.
‘And what about you?’ Henry asked, pouring me a glass of wine anyway and moving to my side with it. ‘How are you finding life without your husband? If that’s not too personal, I mean.’
‘Oh, I’m just concentrating on Lola and my new venture at The White House,’ I said. ‘It was a huge mistake taking Dean back. Only did it for Lola, really.’ I started grating the gruyere. ‘Do you have a frying pan?’
‘A frying pan?’
‘Yes, you know, one of those things to fry bacon in?’ I laughed. No way was this man interested in food or cookery. ‘You’re not really into cooking, are you?’
‘That obvious?’
‘Er, yes, somewhat.’ I laughed again.
‘Kateryna does most of the cooking. All right,allof the cooking. I have to eat out a lot – clients, you know…?’
‘I can imagine.’
‘I’d love a proper family life for Ruby…’ Henry trailed off. ‘You know, as you have for Lena…’
‘Lola,’ I corrected again as I moved to drain the macaroni.
‘Excuse me, Jessica,’ he said as his mobile began to ring. ‘I must take this phone call. Terribly rude of me, but…’
