‘No,’ I joke, ‘because we can’t have two of you being like that.’
Liv shoots me a look.
‘Do you know if Ollie’s here?’ I ask. ‘He messaged to see if he could bring his dad, as he double-booked seeing him tonight, although I haven’t seen either of them yet, so I wonder if he’s gone out with him instead.’
‘Yeah, Ollie’s here. With his dad, who’s been having a great time talking to your mum. And I said hi to Ollie,’ Liv goes on. ‘We’ve already cleared the air between us, I think. It’s Ben I’m worried about. We’ve exchanged glances. I smiled. He smiled back. I haven’t done anything else, though. And why should I? Why should I make the first move?’
‘Because you’re a big girl and, once it’s done, it’s done. Don’t hang it out all night.’
‘Ugh, fine. Where is Ben anyway?’
I glance around. ‘He’s over there, talking to Toby. Oh, shit.’ My ex talking to a guy I like is not a scenario I’m happy with.
Liv looks over. She gets it as she comments, ‘Ooh, that could go either way, couldn’t it?’
‘What’s the best thing to do?’
A waitress with a name-badge sayingCarolineoffers us a selection of canapés on a tray, and I think this might be one of her first gigs as she looks a bit nervous. So I dare to ask something that is probably unprofessional. ‘Can you do me a favour?’
Her eyes lift in anticipation.
‘Can you go and offer this tray to those two guys over there, and then discreetly listen to what they’re talking about and come and report back?’
Her mouth opens and she looks at Liv, as if I’m joking. Liv gives her a discreet nod.
‘OK,’ Caroline says and works her way through the thirty-strong crowd hovering in the open-plan space and against the wide marble kitchen counters.
‘What if they’re talking about you?’ Liv asks. ‘What will you do?’
‘Expect Toby never to call me again, obviously.’
‘Do you think Ben would say nasty things? I don’t see it, personally.’
‘I don’t know,’ I reply honestly. ‘He’s so …’ What is he?
Caroline works her way back through the crowd to us.Unpredictable. That’s what Ben is. She doesn’t wait to be asked, but simply says the word ‘Travel’.
‘Oh. OK. Thanks.’
‘No problem.’ Caroline wanders off to keep serving.
‘Oh well, that’s boring, isn’t it?’ Liv asks, her eyes leaving mine as she scouts around for James.
‘Yes. Boring is good. Boring is safe,’ I utter.
‘You say that,’ Liv’s attention lands back on me, ‘but Ollie was boring and safe, and look where that got me.’
I open my mouth to protest, but Liv gives my arm a little squeeze and tells me she’s off to go and talk to Ben. She promises there won’t be raised voices, but there are so many things she needs to get off her chest, now that so long has passed.
‘Do you want me to come too?’ I ask, dreading her reply.
‘No, I don’t think you should hear some of the things.’
My eyes widen. ‘Really?’
She nods. ‘Enjoy the party. If you see Ben and me slip outfor a moment, don’t be concerned. I don’t think I want an audience.’
‘All right,’ I reply, somewhat surprised. When Liv gets the bit between her teeth she really bites down. ‘Good luck,’ I say to her retreating figure.
