‘Want me to get you a wine?’
‘Your mother says I’m not allowed.’ Jimmy smiled. ‘And to keep her happy I’m going along with it. For now, anyway.’
Cal was glad of his father’s humour, but he took a sip of water rather than wine, so as not to rub it in. ‘So, Dad, listen, about BDL?—’
‘What about BDL? Are you alright, dear?’ Jimmy addressed Bea. ‘I don’t think Bea came here because she wanted to hear a conversation about business.’
‘Oh, I don’t mind.’ Bea flashed her knock ‘em dead smile at Cal’s father. ‘I’m sure you don’t get to see each other too often and if you’ve business things you need to talk about, that’s fine with me.’
There were business things Cal wanted to talk about, but his father didn’t care to listen. All the kind words in the toasts had brought goosebumps up on Cal’s skin, so proud was he of his father and all he had achieved, including his fine reputation in the community as a no-nonsense businessman but also a committed father. Cal wasn’t sure he would have it in him to do all his dad had done. But listening to it all, he knew he had to try.
Cal took a deep breath. He was going to do this. No point thinking about it too hard; just go for it. He seized his moment, tapped his glass with a spoon, the chime seeming to splinter the air, stood up and surveyed the room. Everyone stopped and turned to see what was happening.
‘Good evening, everyone. I thought I would add a few words,’ Cal said. Public speaking didn’t sit well with him,but this was important. He cleared his throat. ‘There’s a lot of pride in this room, a lot of love. And rightly so. My father has amassed a lot in his time. A lot to be proud of and a lot to make him worthy of all the love here today. I’m not one for lengthy speeches, so I’ll keep it brief. I wanted to make a wee announcement, that as of this year I hope to become more involved in BDL. It will be an honour to be part of the family company. I think my bar, and soon to be bars, could manage on their own now so, well, I’ll be focusing more on the family business from now on. If you’ll have me, that is.’
Cal caught his father’s eye and noticed a flicker of confusion.
‘That was all I wanted to say,’ he turned back to the guests. ‘I just wanted to make it public.’So he can’t change the subject.
As Cal sat down again, he said to his father, ‘We can talk later about the finer details.’
‘I don’t think we’ve any details we need to talk about.’ Jimmy shook his head.
Cal stared at Jimmy Butler, wondering if it really was his father. For as long as he could remember, every time he’d come up here from Edinburgh, Jimmy had pressured him about his business and whether the bar was going to work out and how he was always welcome at BDL. Now, he didn’t seem interested in talking about it.
‘Are you sure you’re okay, Dad?’
Jimmy laughed. ‘I’m fine,’ he said. ‘Are you worried because I’m no that bothered about you about working for me?’
Cal shifted in his seat. ‘You could say that, aye.’
‘Look, Callum, I might not be ready, or all that keen, to see a fancy therapist, but if this illness has taught me anything – and it’s early days yet, so no doubt it will teachme plenty more – it’s that life is precious, and we should enjoy every moment.’
‘You’ve always thought that,’ Cal countered.
‘Aye, true, but I’ve always meant spend most of it enjoying working.’
Bea laughed at this. ‘Sorry,’ she said, slapping her palm to her mouth.
‘No need to apologise,’ said Jimmy. ‘I like her, Callum. Hang onto her.’
‘Um, okay, Dad.’ Cal wasn’t sure he understood this new version of his father, but he did quite like him.
‘You dinnae want to work for me; you’ve made that perfectly clear in the past. I’ve spent half my days trying to convince you you’ve made a mistake, and I can see now what a waste of time that was. You’ve no made any mistakes. You’ve done very well for yourself, and I couldn’t be prouder. So stop all this worry about working for BDL, just to make me happy, and keep doing what you’re doing, which includes keeping a hold of this one here.’ He tilted his head towards Bea.
Cal couldn’t quite believe his ears. He’d wanted so badly to do well by his father, but what Jimmy valued most wasn’t Cal working at BDL or even his own health. What mattered most to Jimmy Butler was Cal’s own happiness. Why had that not been obvious all along? Cal noticed Bea’s hand on his knee and turned to her. She was beautiful inside and out. It was no wonder his father had seen her wonders straight away.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked Bea. ‘Sorry if my family are a bit intense.’
‘They aren’t at all. I’m having a great time.’ Bea leaned closer and lowered her voice. ‘Although I’d rather be alone with you, of course.’
Warmth rushed in. ‘Maybe after the meal, we could go for a walk down to the beach if it’s still light,’ Cal said. ‘I’d love to show you. We can be alone there.’
‘Sounds lovely.’ Bea’s voice was as seductive as whisky liqueur. And Cal was sure he saw a glint in her eye that suggested she felt the same way he did. Maybe things would be alright.
But then the room hushed as chatter dimmed to a far lower level. Cal scanned the space. People were staring at the door which wasn’t in his direct line of vision. He turned to see what they were all looking at.
Then he wished he hadn’t.
