‘Waitress,’ I corrected him. ‘I’m a waitress,’ I repeated, to the room at large. ‘And an excellent one. Usually.’ Despite gritting my teeth together so hard, I thought they’d snap, it was only the friendly face of Marilyn as she stood up, yanking James with her, that gave me the gumption to hold back the tears.
‘An excellent fiancée, too, isn’t she, Perry?’ Marilyn called. ‘And she’ll throw the best parties.’ She raised her glass. ‘To Perry and Faith. Proving the law that opposites do indeed attract, and adding some much-needed class, beauty and brains to the Upperton clique. I mean clan. Woohoo!’
Amidst many murmurings, knowing looks and Milton’s repeated attempts to reassure Eleanor I wasn’t a con artist, the crowd stood to return the toast. I slid into my seat, eyes on the table, and braced myself for Larissa’s onslaught. Perry sat down next to me, taking hold of my hand as he leaned to whisper in my ear. ‘Do you want to get out of here?’
I nodded, whispering, ‘I’m sorry.’
I saw his smile out of the corner of my eye. ‘Don’t be. I take full responsibility. And I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve been up to this evening, but I’m very impressed. Come on.’ He started to rise to his feet.
‘One moment, Peregrine.’ A voice like a glacier pushed him back down again. ‘I think the guest of honour has some explaining to do.’
5
Sam called me at least twice a day. I usually dropped by his flat three or four times a week, but had left it longer than usual this time due to work shifts, an HCC committee meeting and a need to summon up enough strength to face the beast of his illness again.
I found him up, which was surprising, and dressed, which was near miraculous. Sprawled on the sofa, yes, but the flat wasn’t quite as messy as it had been, and he held a cup of tea.
‘How are you, Sam?’
He lay back, staring at the ceiling. ‘I’m losing it, Sis. Waving goodbye to all the lovely money your billionaire boyfriend spent on my rehab. Poof, gone.’
‘Have you taken your meds?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well that’s something.’ We sat there in silence. I reached out and took hold of my brother’s hand, the spectre of Kane leering over our shoulders.
‘April’s still here, then?’
He nodded. ‘She’s driving me crazy. Nagging all the time. Fussing.’
‘Does she drink?’
He shrugged. ‘Not much. Not any more.’ He sighed. ‘I don’t want to be saved, Faith. I wish she’d leave me alone. I’ve told her to go and find a man who wants looking after.’
‘But she stays.’
‘She’s a fool.’
‘Where is she now?’ I glanced around, but could see no sign of her.
‘I don’t know. Job centre.’
I took the mug from his hand, pushing aside some old food cartons to place it on the stained coffee table. ‘Is there anything you need me to do?’
He closed his eyes. ‘No. The nurse is coming later on.’
‘Try and help yourself, Sam. Don’t let him do this to you.’
He laughed. An ugly, hollow sound. ‘He already did.’
The following Thursday, I took Perry to look around Grace Chapel. A couple of nights earlier, we had managed a serious – well, serious-ish – conversation over dinner.
‘I don’t understand why you need to do that work.’
‘What do you want me to do? Live off benefits? I need a job, Perry.’
‘I want you to marry me and let me take care of you. If we’re going to be legally joined anyway, why not set up a joint bank account now? You’ve got enough to worry about with the wedding and Sam. Let me take care of the finances.’
