It’s the Last Supper, and I’m Judas the compulsive liar.Ella shifts in the seat across from me and passes the potatoes.My hand shakes as I take them.
Conversation bubbles around us.James and Darcy talk cattle.Luke nods, quiet but present.I overhear Sophia thank him for showing up tonight considering his dad’s not well.
‘I’ll pack some food for him,’ she says.‘Don’t want him missing a roast.’
Luke ducks his head.‘Thanks.He’s a big fan of your cooking.’
Sophia blushes.
James mentions feed shortages for the livestock and then Dylan – oh, Dylan – leans forward.
‘Don’t cattle eat what’s on the ground?’
Darcy frowns.
Luke snorts into his beer.
‘No,’ James says, tone flat.‘Not in a drought they don’t.’
‘Have you considered meat alternatives?Or drought-tolerant crops?’Dylan suggests.‘Cows are one of the biggest contributors to gas emissions anyway.’
The table goes quiet, possibly in disbelief.Luke mutters something I don’t catch.My teeth grind.
‘Dylan’s a fantastic guitar player,’ I say, desperate.Ella smiles sadly.
Gloria claps.‘Oh, you must play something after dinner!’
Dylan ducks his head shyly.‘Didn’t bring my guitar.’
‘Shame,’ Luke mutters.
I kick him under the table.
Ella perks up.‘There’s one in the spare room.Probably needs tuning, though.’
‘You should play,’ Sophia encourages him, quite possibly thrilled to have a distraction from an impending dinner brawl.‘Jamie can join you on piano.’
I choke on a mouthful of potato.‘Sorry – what?’
Dylan beams.‘That would be great.I’ve never heard you play.’
I swallow the urge to launch myself out the window.‘Sure.
Sounds great.’
Phil looks impressed.‘I didn’t know you were a pianist.’
Ella smiles tightly.‘Jamie’s full of surprises.’
I keep my eyes down for the rest of the meal.
After dinner, Sophia brings out the dessert and Ella the guitar.Dylan strums a few mellow chords.It’s nice.Soft.Intimate.
Too intimate.
Then he looks at me.‘What do you say, babe?Wanna take it to the piano?’
I smile – and lie.‘Not feeling too well, actually.’
