Alfie and his mother air-kissed, then she turned to me. I put my hand out. “Mrs Tell, it’s so good to see you again.” It was a lie but Alfie seemed to appreciate it.
Carolyn took my hand, her skin barely touching mine. “Lola, you look well.”
We sat, our waitress immediately appeared and took Carolyn's order. A dry martini and a nicoise salad. Alfie ordered the same and I ordered a burger for myself.
I watched them exchange pleasantries with the air of mere acquaintances rather than mother and son. It was so strange. I’d thought there was distance between Keira and her parents but this was something else.
“So, how are you enjoying my hometown?” I asked as the waitress served our drinks. “Quaint, isn’t it?”
“It is rather, yes. Though I’ve only seen it through the car window.” She turned back to Alfie. “I believe I’m staying in yourold suite. The presidential? You stayed in it when you were here to close the Harrington deal?”
“Yes, how do you like it?” he asked her.
“It’s lovely. I enjoyed breakfast on the balcony this morning.”
I choked on my water. “Excuse me.” I patted my mouth with my napkin. “You must try the jacuzzi too. Also the games room is very entertaining.” Alfie squeezed my leg under the table, telling me to behave myself. I cleared my throat. “And uh…will you be visiting Harrington, Mrs Tell?”
“You can call me Carolyn, if we're going to be family,” she said without much warmth. “I will be happy to visit as soon as I receive an invitation. I think it’s impolite to go where you haven’t been invited.”
Was she implying I shouldn’t be here at lunch?
“You’re welcome to visit once it’s complete, mother. I wouldn’t want you to see it now,” Alfie said, before I could retort.
“I hope it’s up to your father’s standard. It sounds rather rustic, not exactly his aesthetic.”
“It’s beautiful,” I told her. “Alfie has an excellent eye.”
She ran her cold gaze over me. She seemed to disagree with his eye for women.
“Your sister sends her best, by the way.”
My ears perked up at the mention of Grace, the one member of the Tell family I knew almost nothing about.
Alfie nodded. “And I to her.”
I looked between them. What a fucked up family. I remembered how fascinated Alfie had been watching me with my sister and nephew. He’d commented that he was jealous about the old dining table, covered in Ryan's drawings. I realised he was fascinated because he’d never seen a family that loved each other before. The more I learned about him, the more I understood. The more I understood, the more it broke my heart.
Our food arrived and we tucked in. I did my best to be graceful but eating a burger with dignity wasn’t easy. Maybe I should have ordered something else.
“Tell me about Grace,” I said, pinning a smile on my face. “I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
“How sweet of you. You have a sister of your own, correct?” She dodged my question, a saccharine smile on her face.
“Yes, Natalie, and a nephew too. They live here in town.”
“How nice.”
Fed up, I glanced at Alfie. His jaw was tight but he said nothing, only picked at his salad.
“She’s getting married soon actually,” I said, trying as hard as I could to salvage a conversation with this woman. I wanted Alfie to know I was trying. “She joked about us having a joint wedding.”
“How practical.” Carolyn sipped her Martini. “That would certainly be more affordable for you.”
“That's not something Lola has to worry about anymore,” Alfie said, his tone like ice.
I winced, knowing exactly what she would make of that.
“Of course, not anymore.” She gave me that sickening smile again. “What a relief that must be for you.”
