‘I’ll be there, vicar.’
‘Cheers,’ the vicar said, and went in search of another soul to save. Art turned back to Cameron. The stool next to him was empty.
‘She’s away to the lav,’ Cameron explained when he saw Art looking. Then the gorgeous blonde walked back from the direction of the ladies, and her smile dropped when she saw Art.
‘Hello, Arthur,’ she said when she got closer.
‘You two know each other?’ Cameron said.
‘You could say that,’ Art said.
Tracey leaned in close to Cameron, said something and finished her drink before going to the coat stand and picking up her jacket. She waved as she left.
‘What was all that about?’ Cameron asked. ‘You’re a fucking jinx. First, you tell me you know Magic Willie, then you scare off a woman I could have gone home with tonight. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no fucking luck at all.’
‘Tracey and I had a thing a while back.’
‘Oh, God,’ Cameron said. ‘Uncle Arthur’s leftovers? I don’t think so.’
‘Think you’ve got problems? The vicar thinks you’re my boyfriend, Rose is really my girlfriend, but he doesn’t believe me, and apparently, my willy is going to fall off if I don’t mend my ways.’
‘That doesn’t compare to my wife shagging a guy who’s a magician. And a crap one at that.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that. I’ve heard he’s good with his magic wand.’
Cameron stood up. ‘That’s it. I’m going to confront the bastard.’
Art put a hand on his shoulder. ‘Leave it, son. Play it cool. Let Morag find out for herself, then when she does, she might want you back, thinking she’s made a mistake. Or if she doesn’t, you’ll know there was never any chance of getting back with her.’
Cameron nodded his head slowly. ‘You’re right, boss. Let me get you a pint.’
‘And a G&T for Rose, if you don’t mind.’
‘Your pretend girlfriend,’ Cameron said, smiling.
‘Don’t you fucking start. And keep your voice down. Or the vicar will be expecting an invitation when you and I get married.’
Cameron chuckled just as the vicar passed by, and he gave Art a small nod.
‘Fuck me.’ Art shook his head then looked at Cameron as they waited for the drinks. ‘Rose and I have just made it official. Before, we were just having fun, but I would like to settle down again. At least for a while. Then we’ll see where it goes.’
‘Does that classify as you cheating on me?’ Cameron asked.
‘You wish.’
The drinks came, and Cameron handed the pint and Rose’s drink to Art. ‘Is there any other woman I should stay away from? I mean, Typhoid Mary’s not in the bar, is she?’
‘You could do worse, believe me. But remember, Morag might want you back one day, and she might ask you if you went with anybody else,’ Art said.
‘I’m sure Magic Willie hasn’t just been making her balloon animals.’
‘Keep yourself right, son. Wait until she tells you it’s over for good. But what do I know? Oh, and I hear Rose’s friend Caroline is looking for a man.’
‘She’s fifty if she’s a day.’
Art winked at Cameron as he went back to the table.
‘Sorry about that.’
