‘Besides,’ he says. ‘I wouldn’t look anywhere near as good in that dress.’
More laughter. Seb reaches his last notecard, looks relieved to have made it to the end.
‘We never did move to the other side of the world to rescue stray dogs,’ he says. ‘I guess life got in the way. But what a life, huh?’ He looks down at Nimesh, and Viraj’s son nods. ‘Sharing that life with you has been the greatest pleasure of mine,’ Sebsays. He looks to Maisie. ‘He’s yours, now, Maisie. But I’d love to share a bit of your life together. If you’ll have me.’
You know it’s been a good speech when everyone makes a beeline for the speaker afterwards. Viraj does the same, though it’s Enzo he moves towards, hugging him, telling him he’s happy to know him. At the end of the function room, Smudge is testing out the decks, looking like he might already buckle under the pressure. There’s going to be a Kandyan dance first, a drumbeat that always carries Viraj back home. Before that, the food. Viraj is nervous about the food. So when Finn toddles up and asks him for a cuddle, he’s happy to oblige. He hoists his grandson to his chest, breathes in his soft, black hair. Then he heads over to congratulate Seb.
‘You should be proud,’ Noémie is saying, when he arrives. ‘Everyone here loves you.’
She smiles at Viraj when she sees him, greets him warmly. But when Finn reaches out for her, Noémie raises one hand as if turning down a canapé. The child looks confused, reaches for Seb instead. He’s stiff, too, but only for a moment. Then he smiles, takes hold of his godson, tickles the boy beneath his chin. Noémie watches with something like fascination. Then Maisie arrives, giving Seb an enormous hug that almost crushes the child between them.
‘That was beautiful,’ she says.
‘I meant every word,’ Seb replies.
Finn climbs into his mother’s arms, smears sticky hands over her wedding dress. Viraj grimaces, but Maisie doesn’t seem to mind.
‘How long are you sticking around for?’ Maisie asks.
‘The winter,’ Noémie says, answering for Seb. ‘We leave in spring.’
‘Brave new world,’ Maisie says.
Noémie excuses herself for another drink. She heads to a nearby table, picks up a wine bottle. Reads the label, arches an eyebrow, then puts it down again. She heads for the bar. Seb watches her with a mix of amusement and affection.
‘She’s a character,’ Maisie says.
‘She’s been good for me,’ he says.
Maisie puts a hand on his arm. ‘I know she has.’
Seb sighs. His eyes are once again on the door. Viraj follows his eyeline, wonders what he’s missing. But Maisie can read Seb’s mind.
‘She’s not coming,’ Maisie says, quietly.
Seb gives himself away by not asking who Maisie means. Viraj is about to ask, but Nimesh has arrived. He slaps his dad on the back, then looks from Seb to Maisie. His face becomes serious.
‘Oh,’ he says.
Finn is getting fussy, so Viraj offers to take him. He steps away, rocking the child back and forth. He can’t help but keep listening in.
‘I’m sorry,’ Maisie is saying. ‘We stopped relying on her a while ago. I guess she would have, she might have, if it wasn’t for—’
‘Maisie,’ Nimesh says. Noémie is on her way back.
Seb looks from one of them to the other. He narrows his eyes. ‘What?’
‘You really haven’t googled her?’ Maisie says. ‘After all this time?’
‘I’d rather not,’ Seb says. ‘Should I have?’
Maisie and Nimesh share a look.
‘He should know,’ she says.
‘Know what?’ Seb says.
Another moment. Another look. Nimesh shakes his head ever so slightly. Maisie relents.
