James huffed out a laugh. “John, you can’t expect the boy to know how to dress for dinner. I mean, he’s probably never been to a formal dinner in his life. Let me guess, are you like that Cosmic God lead singer… raised on a council estate, abandoned by your mother, left to raise yourself in the gutter?”
Fern froze while the rest of her family began eating like this asshole hadn’t just insulted our boss.
“If you mean Tanner Hastings, as in the lead singer of one of the world’s biggest rock bands. The same band who set up the record label that Fern and I work for. I’d happily be compared to him because what he went through as a kid to where he is now is really bloody impressive. But no, that’s not my story. Although, thanks for judging me so quickly.”
Picking up the silver cutlery, I cut into the pork and green beans on my plate and took a mouthful, letting the awkward silence settle. But it didn’t last long as James appeared to have it in for me.
“So, where did you go to school, Charlie?”
“James, let the poor boy eat before you interrogate him,” Elise murmured, following it with a fake, stifled laugh.
I chewed my food slowly, deliberately letting James think he had got the upper hand before I replied. “Eton.”
James’ fork fell from his hand, clattering loudly against his plate. “What?”
“Eton. Well, I went to private prep school and then was at Eton for a couple of years before I got kicked out for fighting.To punish me, Daddy dearest sent me to a local public school in central London, but more fool him because I loved it and I met Fox and Archer, who are in my band.”
I could feel the eyes on me as I continued to eat.
Judge Richards placed his knife and fork down, steepling his fingers under his chin, giving me his full attention. “Eton is impressive, Charlie. Your father couldn’t have been happy when you were excluded. Tell me, what’s his name? Maybe we’ve crossed paths.”
Here we go.“Barnaby Welch.”
While everyone else seemed to gasp, only Fern stayed relaxed, her makeup obviously working as the perfect mask for her shock, because no one, except the people closest to me, knew who the sperm donor was.
“Your father is Lord Barnaby Welch?” Judge Richards confirmed.
“The one and only. Aren’t I the luckiest?” I mocked sarcastically.
James’ thin lips curled into a smile as his eyes danced greedily to his father-in-law’s.
“I wouldn’t bother thinking about how my relationship with Fern can get you a foot in the door. My father despises me and the feeling is mutual, so knowing me won’t win you any favors.”
James’ eyes darkened as he lifted his large glass of red wine to his lips, downing the entire thing in one, before clicking for someone to refill it like the prick he seemed to be.
The rest of dinner passed uncomfortably slowly. Fern tried to catch up with her sister, but whenever things got too relaxed, James appeared to feel the need to speak for his wife, while she twisted her napkin in her lap nervously.
Once the plates were cleared, Carol stood. “Right, I’m off to bed. It’s a busy day tomorrow. Breakfast will be served at nine, Christmas dinner is at 12.30, and then supper at eight.”
“What time are we doing gifts?” Elise asked excitedly.
“Don’t be silly, you’re too old for that and Ari is too young. We’ll have your gifts delivered to your rooms after breakfast.”
Elise’s shoulders sagged.
“I love presents. And I’d love to meet your daughter. Fern and I will meet you down here at 7.30, if you want.” Her eyes flicked to James, who scowled before opening his mouth to reply for her again, but I was too quick. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
Her face lit up as she nodded.
“Fern, Elise, your mother is right. It’s time you took yourselves off to bed. Charlie, you can have a proper drink and tell me more about your father.”
I stood, holding out my hand for Fern, who took it, squeezing it tightly as she got up too. “Thank you, judge, but I’m not drinking at the moment. It’s not good for my vocal cords. Also, I’d much rather be taking care of Fern than talking about my father.”
Fern laughed. Not the fake laugh I’d been hearing all night, but a loud, ugly belly laugh that made everyone turn to stare at her as if she’d committed a hideous crime.
“We’re in the guest suite, so knock when you get up in the morning, Ferny, and then we can go wake Ari together. She’ll be so happy to see you.”
Fern smiled, while I couldn’t help but notice how angry James looked, his hand curling into a fist on the table and his jaw hardening; I decided there and then that I needed to keep an eye on this dick as he was not a good man.
