‘Anything to do with the party last night?’
‘Yes, you could say that. Tegan decided to turn up out of the blue.’
‘Tegan?’ Carl exhaled. ‘I thought she was in New York until New Year?’
‘So did I.’
‘Well, that was a nice surprise. No wonder you didn’t get much sleep,’ Carl said with an eyebrow-raise.
Brody was lost for words. He stared miserably into his alcohol-free beer.
‘Oh dear …’ Carl murmured. ‘She’s not pregnant, is she? I mean I know it might not be how you’d planned things, but a baby will be wonderful. Can I be a godfather? Not in the Mafia sense, but in the “renouncing Satan and all his works” sense. Although I can’t promise to renounceallhis works, to be fair, as some of them are rather a lot of fun.’
Brody allowed himself a smile before letting it subside again. ‘Tegan’s not pregnant.’
‘Oh, shame. I was rather looking forward to there being a baby at your wedding. You do still want me to be best man? I mean, I know you haven’t made any plans and haven’t actually asked me yet, but I’d kind of assumed. I promise I won’t speak to you ever again if you don’t ask me.’
Brody felt his mouth tilt momentarily upwards in a smile, before it quickly disappeared. ‘Believe me, if I was getting married, I would never dream of asking anyone but you.’
‘Ifyou were getting married. Shouldn’t that bewhen?’
Brody would have taken a large gulp of his beer if he thought it would have done any good, but it was zero-alcohol and therefore of no use whatsoever to dull the pain from the mess he found himself in.
‘Now you’re worrying me, buddy. Would you care to share with Uncle Carl? You know what they say: a problem shared is a problem doubled?’
‘There won’t be a wedding, Carl.’
With delicate precision, Carl replaced his pint on the table. ‘Ah. I see.’
‘I’ve got myself into a bit of trouble,’ Brody went on, glancing looked around to see if anyone he knew might be close enough to overhear their conversation.
‘What kind of trouble? Does it involve Sophie from Sunnyside by any chance?’
‘Why would you think that?’ Brody asked defensively.
‘A hunch and, judging by your face, I’m not far wrong. What happened? My favourite village vet hasn’t gone and done anything silly, have you?’
‘Probably, though not in the way you’re thinking.’
Carl rested his head on his chin. ‘What am I thinking?’
‘That I – we – got involved with someone else.’
‘Well, did you?’
‘Yes and no. It’s complicated.’
Carl rolled his eyes and sat back against the banquette. ‘It always is, where love’s concerned.’
‘It’s not love. It was, but it isn’t now.’
Carl sputtered in exasperation. ‘Can you please stop talking in riddles or we’ll be here until next Christmas. Spit it out, man!’
Brody took a mental deep breath. ‘Tegan and I were engaged, as you and a very select group of other people know. Just because we didn’t want a fuss, and you know I’m a private person.’
‘And I’m honoured I was one of those people.’
‘Well, you’re also the only person – apart from the two of us – who knows that we aren’t engaged now.’
