“Was everyone okay?”
“Very much. Intelligence acted quickly and appropriately. They did well.”
A waiter enters, carrying a huge burger and fries.
“That wasn’t on the menu!” The menu is haute cuisine, small delicately presented portions. Isaac’s burger is more like something from a fast food outlet.
I have food envy.
“I know the chef. And he likes burgers.” Dark eyes glimmer. “You can share my fries though. I’m not due a cheat meal till weekend.”
I help myself to his food and it feels disconcertingly intimate. Taking food from his plate, saying nothing as he eats ravenously. Another portion of fries appears and some onion rings.
“The chef clearly owes you a favour.”
Isaac wipes his hands. “Maybe. How was the Prime Minister?”
“Kept at bay.”
He nods. “He thinks you’re a repressed virgin.”
I laugh. The sound is loud and echoes through the room. “Seriously?” I colour, remembering what Isaac saw.
“He’s used to women falling over themselves for him. He thought you’d be the same.”
I can see Isaac’s amusement. He’s reserved, a watcher, but there’s more behind those eyes that are studying me.
“But you know different. Did you tell him about Ben?”
He doesn’t respond, simply relaxes into his chair. “Do you want dessert?”
“No. Did you tell him about Ben?”
“What about Ben?”
“Don’t play cute, Isaac.”
He smiles to himself.
“I didn’t tell William anything about Ben. As far as I know, there’s nothing to tell.”
“Thank you.”
“No reason to thank me. I’m opting for the New York Cheesecake. If you have something different can we share? The sweet’s the best part.”
There’s something in his tone that brings me back down to earth and I breathe a little freer.
“The Eton mess.” A concoction of cream and meringue and fruit. The sugar will hurt my teeth, but I need a little sweet.
“Ask for two spoons.” His grin reminds me of a cheeky teenage boy with a glint that’s as dangerous as a sharpened knife.
I can’t help but smile back.
We order, maintaining the quiet, which is welcome. I’m tired with having to be so alert with Goldsmith, double thinking every word and I’m still sure I’ve said something that will come back to plague my dreams.
“How well do you know Ben?”
Isaac’s words wake me from my analytical daze.
