Okay, I’d had enough. “Are you really going to accuse me of being a golddigger? It’s hardly original.”
“Lola,” Alfie warned me. I gave him an apologetic look. I’d promised.
“I have the right to be concerned about my son.”
“Well, I think it’s great that you’re trying something new.”Shut up, Lola.I cursed myself but when my words landed on Alfie’s mother, she flinched. Barely, but I saw it. She knew that I knew that she’d stood by and done nothing while Alfie was abused.
“Insolent little thing, isn’t she?” She tossed at Alfie who wasn’t saying anything. She looked back at me. “I merely want to make sure that my son is happy and is marrying someone who won’t take advantage.”
“I won’t. I never have. I never will. I love him very much, Mrs. Tell.”More than you ever have, I thought, but I kept that part to myself.
“I’m glad to hear it.” She stared at me for one long moment and I stared right back. Her expression was impossible to read. Was she impressed? Convinced? I watched cogs turn in her head just as I had with Alfie so many times and then, just like her son, she changed tack so fast it gave me whiplash. “I hope you didn’t agree to the joint wedding, I find them rather tacky.”
“No, I wanted my sister to have her own day,” I said cautiously. Was she giving me her approval? “We’d like to get married at Harrington.”
“Really?”
“Yes, well, it’s special because I designed a garden there for Alfie and?—”
“And all of the grounds at Harrington are very impressive,” Alfie cut me off. “Riley Fitzpatrick has done excellent work but then he always does.”
I stared at him, trying not to show my hurt. It wasn’t about me. He didn’t want his mother knowing about the garden.
“Well, a country estate can be a wonderful choice for a venue. If the weather is right.”
“I’m sure Mr Tell won’t stand for rain on our big day,” I joked, doing my best to crack a smile on Alfie’s face. “Can’t you do something about that? Have a word with someone?”
“Of course, I’ll make sure rain is rescheduled for another day.” He laughed and I didn’t miss Carolyn looking at him like he’d grown another head. I picked up my burger and took another bite while she continued picking at her salad.
“Will your father be joining us for the wedding?” she asked. “I heard he’s recently back in your life.” I glanced at Alfie, he must have mentioned it.
“I’m not sure. He’ll be at my sister’s wedding though.”
“How sweet. I think it’s wonderful that you’re so willing to forgive and forget.”
“I could say the same for Alfie,” I snapped back and Carolyn stiffened. This time, Alfie didn’t try to intervene. He just sat, staring at his salad.
However Carolyn thought this conversation was going to go, this clearly wasn’t it. This was a woman who wasn’t used to people biting back. She reminded me of Alfie when I’d first met him and his confusion when I said no.‘You’re refusing me?’It made me smile to think of it now, though notrightnow. Right now, I was too angry that this woman was more interested in insulting me than she was in celebrating her own son.
“You’re lucky we’re in public.”
“No, bitch.You’relucky we’re in public,” I hissed with so much venom she shrank back in her seat.
She looked at Alfie, her eyes wide. “I’m sure I don’t know what I’ve done to upset her so much.”
“Nothing. You did nothing.” I could feel the tension radiating from Alfie. I’d promised to behave myself but now this woman was in front of me, all I wanted was to rip her face off. Carolyn turned to Alfie again, feigning helplessness. “Don’t look confused. You know what you did, you know whattheydid to him, and you did nothing.”
“You’re interfering in things you don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
“Alfie has a duty to his family, to uphold what his father built. He needs the right kind of woman at his side and that woman is not you.” With that, she stood. I didn’t mind. She was runningscared. I sat in silence as she said her goodbyes, air kissed him again and left.
I didn’t feel like finishing my lunch. Alfie didn’t seem hungry either.
“I’m sorry. I tried.” He didn’t respond. “Please say something.”
“It’s too fucking loud in here.” He stood up. I thought he was going to storm out but he paused to pull out my chair and take my hand.
