Tasha turned and laughed, but was greeted with a slightly admonishing expression rather than a smile.
“So, how was the concert?” asked Bobby.
“Brilliant,” cried Philip enthusiastically. “The band were brilliant and Dad managed not to embarrass himself or us.”
“Well done,” said Bobby to a now smiling Jim.
“But, Tasha had the best night of us all,” teased Philip as Juan gave him a nudge to stop him incurring another withering glance from his father.
“Oh, Tasha, now you have to spill the beans, honey. I thought Jimbo had been reluctant to discuss your night out and now it would appear there is a reason for it.”
“It was nothing really.” She tried to sound dismissive of the scandalous tale Philip had implied.
“Uncle Bobby, itsowas something,” interrupted Philip making his uncle laugh.
“Then you tell me, Philip, if Tasha is going to be coy about it,” laughed Bobby again, grinning at Jim.
“We were right down at the front and Tasha was wearing this very little backless top, tight black trousers and some seriously hot shoes. Everybody turned to look at her when we walked past them and several guys in the audience tried to pick her up before the support had even come on. The singer with the support band couldn’t take his eyes off Tasha and actually came down into the audience to give her his number.” Philip positively squealed.
Bobby was near hysterical now. “Really?” he asked, looking at Jim’s obviously unamused face now.
“Yes,” snapped Jim.
“Oh, Natasha, you really are irresistible, honey.” Bobby turned back to Philip, “Go on.”
“The main band came on and had done a couple of numbers when their singer came into the audience and took Tasha up on stage. He serenaded her and danced with her and even commented on how fuckable she was in her sexy shoes.” Philip suddenly looked as stunned as he had the night before.
Tasha looked across at Jim and flinched. He may actually be more bothered by it tonight than he had been the previous night, which would have been difficult considering how mad he’d been the previous night.
“That’s enough,” snapped Jim. “There are children here and that language is unnecessary and unacceptable. Tasha, do you want a drink?”
“Please.” She knew he was looking for an excuse to leave the conversation and she was happy to give him one.
As Jim left, Bobby looked at them all. “Did the guy really use the word fuckable?”
“Yes.” Philip clapped to confirm that he had used that word and needed no more encouragement to continue. “So, after he said that about Tasha to the audience Dad was ready to go nuclear and when Tasha came off stage Juan and I encouraged Dad to go and take a breath of air or get a drink or something and he did. We were all dancing to the band still and when he came back there was a guy in the audience with his arms around Tasha dancing and touching her and he punched the guy. He put him flat on his ass with one punch!” Philip sounded rather proud of his dad, even if he was still a little stunned by events.
“No way.” Bobby wore a very wide-eyed stare.
Philip nodded furiously as Tasha explained. “They told me that Jim was fine, although I doubted that, and he’d gone for a drink so when I felt somebody’s arms around me, inside my top I assumed it was Jim. It was only when I turned to look at him that I saw Jim grabbing this guy and punching him.”
Bobby had stopped laughing and just stared now. “Were you asked to leave?”
“No. It was amazing,” interrupted Philip. “Security had been watching this guy for a while and Tasha had been invited to the post show party by then, although Dad refused to let us go.” Philip was still upset that he’d been prevented from attending the VIP bash.
“No wonder he didn’t want to talk about it,” muttered Bobby.
“This is not an after dinner ditty to share though. Jim was furious, still is, and we were up until four o’clock this morningdiscussingit,” said Tasha to a nodding Bobby.
“You must be one hell of a conversationalist to even be out of the house this side of Christmas, Tasha.” Bobby was suddenly quite serious, as if he totally understood everything that had been said, but more than that, he knew and understood where Jim was coming from and why.
“You have no idea, although I was an innocent party,” she said.
Jim reappeared and handed Tasha a glass of wine. “I assume Philip has finished his story, so rest assured the conversation is now over.”
Suddenly, Lexi joined them looking very excited. “Tasha, have you told Daddy?”
“No, of course not. I thought it was your news to share, Lexi,” she told the little girl.
