“Walthamstow.” She expected a blank expression to form on his face, but he nodded.
“I spent a year at Bart’s about seventeen years ago. I guess London has changed a bit since then.”
“Yeah, more development of the more run down parts of town, but central London is more or less the same I guess.”
He topped her glass up again. “Do you have a doctor in L.A.?”
She shook her head.
“You should sort that out. Female cancers are on the increase and I have a particular passion for cervical cancer and it is one scary and unpleasant disease…an awful death.”
His words, whilst well intended, startled Tasha a little.
“Every woman should have their Ob/Gyn on speed dial. I would be more than happy to take you on at my practice,” he offered.
Tasha stared at him wildly and thought this might be the most surreal conversation she’d ever had. Her soon to be brother-in-law was offering to take on her vagina and her female reproductive organs. She laughed as she thought of it in those terms and was relieved when Philip and Juan appeared behind her.
“Hi there step-mommy, are you behaving tonight? I am amazed you’ve been allowed out of the house after your little exhibition last night, you and your Louboutins.” Philip laughed as he bent down and kissed her.
Juan kissed her other cheek so they flanked her where she sat.
Tasha laughed. “It was touch and go for a while after we got home.”
“Hi Martin, how are you?” asked Juan.
“Good, thanks. We were just talking about female health,” Martin informed a horrified looking Philip while Juan just smiled.
“Specifically, the fact that I should have a doctor in L.A. and that female cancers are on the increase and if I have cervical cancer it’s one scary and unpleasant disease. An awful death,” Tasha explained dryly. “Oh, and Martin recommends that every woman should have their Ob/Gyn on speed dial. He’d be more than happy to take me and my vagina on at his practice. Wouldn’t you, Martin?” she asked a stunned looking Martin before hearing Jim behind her.
“Natasha, I hardly think that is a suitable conversation to have whilst celebrating Independence Day.”
She turned to face him feeling a little nervous but found him grinning at her.
“Thanks for the offer, Martin, but I think it would be too weird, even for me to have two men from the same family who have seen my vagina at such close quarters.” She smiled at him and realised Philip was laughing with tears streaming down his face.
“Tasha! Really? And Philip, you’re not helping. Go and say hello to everyone else.”
Neither of them were sure who he meant, so both stood up and went off together, closely followed by Juan.
“Jim, I was only offering professional services,” said Martin nervously.
“Of course, Martin, it’s fine, but she is twenty-one-years-old so will wind you up at every opportunity about such things, especially if Philip is there to encourage her. Also, she is going to be my wife, so will get the best medical insurance money can buy. Plus, she had a point that it may be inappropriate for you to be her doctor when we’re all related.”
Jim felt slightly sorry for Martin who looked awkward and embarrassed.
As Tasha stood between Juan and Philip they retold their brief encounter with Uncle Martin to Bobby’s amusement.
“I really do like you, Tasha, and I have those numbers for you. You may need them.” He winked at her.
She became aware of Philip pulling her arm. “Tash, shall I be Christian Bale or Andy Steele?”
“What?” asked Tasha, confused by Philip’s random question.
Juan explained, “He means that the three of us have made a Natasha sandwich.”
Tasha laughed until she saw Juan’s expression change to horror and possible fear, then she heard Jim’s voice again.
“I am seriously considering having you tagged in some way that controls the distance between us to stop these inappropriate conversations, Natasha. Every time I join you I find you discussing the most obscure things.”
