“The house is big enough. It’s nice for Lolly to have everyone here too.”
“That would be lovely. I’ll check with Jack too, just in case he’s wanting us to whizz off. And I suppose it helps us keep an eye on you, given what happened.”
“It does. And Lauren. She really can’t sneak off to any parties.”
Joy smiled again and I thought about how lucky Jack was to have parents who were so normal and nice. I refused to think about my own.
* * *
I wasn’t really neededat Mount Street. There had been a chance that one of the sous-chef’s mothers was going into hospital for a small op and he’d wanted to take her and be there when she woke. Today there had been no one to cover him, tomorrow there would be and as the operation had been postponed until tomorrow I wasn’t required.
Instead, I mulled about the place, sampling dishes, testing out new recipes and generally annoying my staff who ended up almost locking me in my office so I could call our suppliers about an issue we were having with the fresh figs. It felt normal and easy and I realised how much I took for granted.
“Simone, there’s a couple of people here asking for you.” My restaurant manager stuck her head in. “Seph and Payton.”
I sat up, my attention had been focused on a set of accounts. “Where are they?”
“Sitting in the bar with drinks and waiting for nibbles. They said it isn’t urgent, just to let you know they’re here.”
I stretched then checked the time. It was early evening and I suddenly wanted to go home to Jack and Lolly, sit down and have dinner with them. “I’ll be down in two.”
My reflection in the mirror showed a woman who was tired and needed some sun. A foodie holiday somewhere warm maybe, or wine tasting in France. Or a riad in Marrakesh which smelled of mint tea.
The Callaghan twins looked completely different until you noticed the eyes and nose, which were identical. Seph was dark while Payton was fair. When they smiled they were almost the same.
“How’s our favourite chef? Is he doing okay?” It was Seph, spouting his usual wind up propaganda.
“He’s doing as well as you’d expect,” I said, sitting down opposite them. “How’re you both?”
“Good. Callum’s home in another couple of weeks so I need to find a house fast. Don’t suppose you’ve any room in your cellar?” Seph looked hopeful. “If not, I’ll have to cramp his style. Not that he has any.”
“I thought you were putting an offer in on that apartment you viewed?” Payton looked confused. “You said it was perfect.”
“It isn’t child-friendly.”
She frowned and shook her head. “Joseph, you’re nowhere near the point of having children. Why would you want a child-friendly house?”
“For my nieces and nephews. And I don’t want to buy somewhere now and then move again in however long it’ll be. I want a forever home. Like the rest of you have found.” He looked from me to Payton. She’d recently bought a place with Owen and the two were sickeningly loved up.
“Seph!” Payton looked at me for support. I wasn’t sure how to get it. “We’ve been through this…”
“How many houses did you see before you found the ‘one’?”
“Are we still talking about houses here?” I looked at Payton. Seph was known as a manwhore. If notches on a bedpost were an actual thing, he’d be on his tenth bed. And they’d all be four-poster.
“You’re both shits,” he said, accepting the beer that was brought over to him. “But I’ll excuse you. How’s Jack, Simone?”
“He’s okay.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. How do you describe someone who’s brother had just been murdered?
“How are you and him?” Payton elaborated. “It’s a lot to support someone with. Especially as it’s early days.”
“We’re good. I think it’s brought us closer. He was staying with me when he got the call and he’s still there. It’ll be strange when he moves out.” I wasn’t looking forward to him moving out. I was too used too quickly to him and Lauren sharing the space.
“Ask him to move in.” Seph swigged his beer. “You don’t have to wait for ages like Payts and Owen. Be like Van and Jackson and do it in weeks.”
“I’m not sure. It’s a lot of change for Lauren.”
Payton shrugged. “Still, you should speak to him about it. It’ll happen at some point.”
