“We were in Manchester for an Albion Foxes gig,” he says. “It was amazing, as always.” His eyes flit over to Penny and I have to admit that he does seem smitten with her. “But what Penny didn’t know was I’d arranged with the band for us to go on stage for the encore. And then?—”
“He got onto one knee and presented me with this!” Penny, breathless with excitement, holds up her left hand.
“It really is a lovely ring,” I say.
“Whopping diamond,” Nathan says. “Shall I order champagne? I feel like we should. Remember last time, Pen.”
I watch my daughter’s cheeks flush with shame and could slap Nathan for bringing up that day. She was twenty and he’d been the instigator of it all.
“It’s a family ring,” Tim says. “We had a rich auntie who left it to my mum. She always said she was keeping it aside for when I met the right person.” He gazes adoringly at Penny. “I knew from the moment I saw her.”
“It’s quite sudden,” I can’t help saying.
“We realise that. But when you know, you know,” Penny says, her smile somewhat forced as she senses my mood. I glance at Alistair. He isn’t Penny’s father but he is my ally and I need someone to back me up on this. Anengagementafter only a couple of weeks? They haven’t even lived together yet.
Alistair seems to take the hint and helps ease the situation by changing the subject.
“So, what line of work are you in, Tim?”
“Insurance, mostly buildings, contents, that sort of thing.” He smiles and carries on explaining. Despite the dry subject of the conversation, I watch Penny gaze on adoringly and I put all my energy into swallowing the urge to say something I’ll regret.
Nathan clicks his fingers at the waiter and orders two bottles of Dom Perignon. A sense of discombobulation washes over me. Like I’m at sea, treading water, the surf catching in my throat. All of these people around me are sharks.
“Mum?” Penny asks.
When I turn to her, Nathan is pouring us all a glass of champagne. I didn’t even notice it arrive.
“Yes, love?”
“I was saying that Tim and I were going to go away somewhere to celebrate but I already have this spa break booked with some of the girls at work. We’re heading to this amazing rural spa in Northumberland.” She gazes lovingly at Tim. “But that’s okay because we’ll celebrate properly another time.”
“Lovely.”
Nathan hands me a glass of champagne. I watch the condensation sweat against the glass, feeling the same damp beading break out across my forehead.
“Signal might be patchy,” she says. “I thought I’d let you know in case you need me. I don’t want you to have an episode and not be able to get hold of me.”
“An episode?” Alistair asks.
My heart drops.
“Yes, with her condition,” Penny replies, innocently.
“Not now, Penny,” I almost yell.
The table grows quiet, everyone looks at me.
“Sorry, what condition?” Alistair’s voice is hard and serious.
Nathan lets out a sharp burst of laughter. “Don’t tell me she hasn’t told you?”
“Told me what? Faye?”
The room starts to spin as I focus on the champagne flute sat in front of me on the table. I can’t bear to look up, but I force my gaze to meet Alistair’s.
Nathan blurts, “She has?—”
I cut him off. “Let’s go somewhere private and talk.”
