‘Only okay?’
Damn, Harry should’ve been more careful about triggering his mum’s radar for trouble. He sighed. ‘She’s had a rough week. Things aren’t great with her parents again.’ He gave them a brief rundown of events, including Kat’s fears her mother had been close to having another affair.
‘At least this one was at the other end of the country,’ his father muttered disdainfully before taking a swig from his beer. ‘It’s beyond me why Gavin continues to put up with it.’
His mum narrowed her eyes. ‘He’s not exactly a prime catch. If he’d made more of an effort to make friends instead of making waves they might both have fitted in better.’
‘None of which makes things any easier for Kat,’ Harry reminded her.
Her expression softened again. ‘No, you’re quite right. She didn’t ask for any of this, poor thing. It can’t have been easy for her to come out and speak to Jen like that; let’s hope it’s finally knocked some sense into her.’
‘Do you honestly think it’ll make that much difference?’ Harry asked, gloomily.
His mum shook her head. ‘No, probably not, but don’t you worry about Kat. We’ll look after her when the time comes, she’s one of ours now.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
He didn’t get the chance to say any more because the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of Rick, Liam and Adam, and soon the kitchen was a hive of activity and full of noise and laughter. Adam seemed a bit embarrassed when they all presented him with cards for his birthday, but he took it in good part and when Rachel handed him a wrapped gift his smile of thanks was genuine. ‘It’s too much, you shouldn’t have,’ he protested, even as he was tugging at the tape to open his present.
‘I’ve kept the receipt in case it’s not your thing,’ Rachel said as he pulled out a navy and white striped polo shirt. ‘Don’t be afraid to say so if you don’t like it.’
‘It’s great, thank you.’ Adam leaned over and brushed a very quick kiss on her cheek. ‘You’re very kind to have gone to so much trouble, I really appreciate it.’
‘And we appreciate everything you’re doing to help Liam with the hotel,’ Rachel replied, her cheeks warm with happiness as she stood and patted his shoulder. ‘Right, I’m going to get some nibbles out. Harry, why don’t you tell Adam all about your plans for the cookery school while we wait for your brother to grace us with his presence? It’s such a wonderful idea and a real investment opportunity.’
‘Subtle, Mum, really subtle!’ Harry turned to Adam with an apologetic laugh. ‘Don’t mind her.’
Adam was watching Rachel bustle about the kitchen with a fond smile. ‘I don’t mind her at all, I think she’s great.’ He turned back towards Harry and his smile dimmed a bit as he added, ‘It’s nice she obviously cares so much about you all.’
There was something in his expression that made Harry wonder if Adam hadn’t experienced the same thing, but it wasn’t his business to pry. Not wanting to embarrass the other man, he gave his arm a playful nudge. ‘Us all, you mean? If you think you’re escaping with a one-off birthday dinner then think again. She’s got her tractor beam locked on you and there’s no escape. Next thing you know she’ll be making helpful suggestions of all the nice young single ladies she knows.’
Adam laughed. ‘Thanks for the warning! Though I’m afraid she’s going to be disappointed on that front.’
‘Already taken?’ Harry asked, then held up his hand. ‘Damn, sorry, ignore that if I’m being nosy. It runs in the family, I guess.’
Thankfully Adam didn’t seem to take offence. ‘Nah, you’re fine. I’m not taken, as you put it, but I’m not on the market either.’ He sipped his beer then set the bottle down on the table before sitting back and folding his arms. ‘So what’s the latest with the cookery school? You winning?’
‘Trying to. Kat and I have got a meeting with Russ on Monday afternoon to present the plan to him.’
‘You’re ready to go, then?’ He nodded thoughtfully for a moment. ‘Any chance of adding me to that meeting invitation?’
Harry sat forward. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Absolutely. I think your idea has got a lot of potential and your mum’s right about the investment opportunity. I take it Kat’s ironed things out with her father, then?’
The question immediately put Harry on edge. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, it was impossible to miss that drama between them at the weekend. If he’s going to go up against you in a bid for theshop then it doesn’t take a genius to see that puts her in a very awkward position.’
Harry didn’t feel comfortable talking behind Kat’s back, but if Adam really was thinking of investing then he owed him as much of the truth as he was willing to share. ‘Things haven’t been easy between them, but she’s working them out.’
Adam nodded. ‘That’s all I needed to hear because we both know you need her full commitment in order to make the cookery school a success.’
‘I know and Kat’s completely on board with the plan, I promise.’ Harry crossed his fingers underneath the table as he spoke, hoping he hadn’t just jinxed himself. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Kat – he really did. Her parents were a different matter altogether and they’d had their hooks sunk deep into her for a very long time. If it blew up between them again, would Kat have the strength to finally wriggle free?
God, he hoped so.
32
