‘Nice wood.’ Aubrey ran his fingers down the smooth dark wood panelling behind his chair. ‘I wonder if this was already here when Jake moved in?’
Marcus looked at the wood. ‘Who cares?’
Aubrey gave Marcus a disapproving glare and turned his attention on Faye. ‘Speaking of which, where is the master of the house?’
Master of the house; it sounded like a phrase straight out of an old black-and-white British movie. Was this another one of his acts?
Marcus rolled his eyes in the direction of the kitchen door. ‘Jake’s in the kitchen.’
The more she listened to his accent, the more she thought she could detect some inflections that hinted at other origins.
‘So, why are we all sitting in the hallway?’
‘I’m waiting for a cab.’ Marcus looked at his watch.
‘What’s wrong with the kitchen?’
Marcus bit his lip and stared at the floor.
Aubrey nodded knowingly. ‘Was it something you said?’ he said sarcastically, ‘or was it merely your presence here that precipitated this current predicament?’ Aubrey looked at the two outcasts, waiting in the hall. ‘Because I must admit, I am a bit surprised to find you here, Marcus.’
Marcus glared at him. ‘Don’t worry; I wasn’t invited, if that’s what you mean.’
‘Well, isn’t it nice to hear that some things in life don’t change, is it not, Ms Ames?’
She had absolutely no idea what had just passed between Aubrey and Marcus, but she was going to put the record straight; Jake had good reason to be angry with Marcus.
‘Jake cut his hands on some glass.’
Aubrey rose slowly from his chair with a look of concern. ‘What happened?’ He caught sight of the broken glass on the floor.
Faye turned her attention to Marcus.
So did Aubrey. ‘Marcus, what happened here?’
‘I screwed up again, that’s what happened.’ Marcus walked over to the table and snatched up his bag. ‘I’m waiting outside.’ He started towards the door.
Aubrey unexpectedly jumped up and crossed the hall so quickly that he reached the front door ahead of Marcus, barring his way.
They stood in silence, facing each other.
Faye watched the confrontation uneasily. Her hand brushed the cricket bat in the umbrella stand. She was ready to break up a fight, something she’d unfortunately grown accustomed to in her years in a classroom.
She watched as Aubrey reached out a hand. Faye’s body tensed as she anticipated the first blow, then relaxed as Aubrey rested his hand on Marcus’s shoulder and started to speak; his voice barely above a whisper. She caught snatches, a word here and there, meaningless out of context. Then Aubrey paused, drew back and finished with, ‘You’ll see. Just give him time.’
Marcus nodded.
Aubrey patted his arm affectionately and returned to his seat. Marcus turned around and looked straight at Faye, who was trying to look for all the world like she hadn’t seen or heard a thing. But she’d witnessed how Marcus listened to this man. She’d seen what influence Mr Jones seemed to hold over his employer’s son, and wondered whether the same held true for Jake. Faye wanted to know more. Who was this guy?
Chapter 11
‘Tell me, Mr Jones, have you known Jake long?’
‘Aubrey. You can call me Aubrey.’
‘Very well.’
Aubrey was still looking at Marcus. ‘We go back some,’ he said absently.
