“I’m happy with the salmon,” Jos said. “I recommend it, Evie, if you trust me?”
“Of course. I’ll take the salmon too, please.” Evelyn smiled and Jos could not help responding in kind, even though they were only choosing food in a restaurant. Even the most mundane activities took on a new colour and excitement when Evelyn was involved. Usually she felt as though she was fighting an uphill battle to impress a woman. With Evelyn it was easy to just be herself. She hoped that would last through the evening.
*
Evelyn enjoyed the meal with Jos. The food was as delicious as promised and she found the comical, teasing intrusions of Adalfi, as she was told to call him, into their meal to be a fun diversion. Although she found it very easy to talk to Jos, she sensed they were both glad to be distracted from a focus on just each other. However interesting she found Jos, however intrigued and compelled she was by her own feelings, to spend an entire day with someone she did not know very well, and whose sentiments she was constantly trying to read, was rather intense. Aldafi’s constant good humour and inability to stop himself interjecting in their conversation lightened the tone considerably. She had the opportunity to observe the fun side of Jos’s personality. She could tease and be teased with equal good humour and wit. She laughed easily and did not back down. But her affection for Adalfi was very clear. Evelyn could tell then that Jos was nothing if not loyal, and compassionate towards those who returned those sentiments. She admired both traits.
Jos had a depth to her character she’d not been able to discover in anyone in London yet. Lilian was often nothing short of vacuous, James too reserved to reveal his true self. Dorothy liked to postulate and her intelligence seemed formidable, but it was very difficult to know what she really thought or felt. Vernon was a witty flirt but she knew nothing more of him. Jos had so much more to her. It was a depth that she longed to explore.
In some ways, Evelyn rather regretted the conclusion of the meal. A few more patrons had joined them in Adalfi’s restaurant but the ambience was still peaceful and relaxing. She felt comfortable here with Jos and Adalfi, as though she had known them much longer than she had. She felt accepted by them. Adalfi had not cast a gaze of approbation over her outfit and decided she was not fashionable enough, or questioned her on her reasons for being in London. He clearly accepted Jos for who she was, and some of his jokes suggested that there wasn’t much about her that he didn’t know. He would not have been the sort of close friend Evelyn would have expected Jos to have, and yet he seemed to be a perfect counterbalance to her. When she was serious, he made her laugh; when that tension rose in her shoulders, he softened his tone and was gentle.
Adalfi was clearly a perceptive man, but he also undersood Jos, cared for her. This warmed Evelyn to him greatly. Apart from Vernon, Jos did not seem like someone who had a lot of people to care for her, or someone who sought out affection easily. But this didn’t seem to stop Adalfi. Evelyn hoped very much that this would not be the last time she got to spend time with the restaurant owner.
Jos paid for the meal, despite Evelyn’s insistance that she had enough money to contribute. As they were leaving, Adalfi asked what their plans were for the rest of the evening.
“We’re off to Clifford Street. Courtney demanded a house party. It’s been at least a month since her last one.”
“And Clara wouldn’t dream of denying her anything.” Adalfi laughed good-naturedly. “Tell them I haven’t seen them for a long time. I’m offended.”
“I will do. I’m sure they’ll be along before too long.”
“Tell them if they’re not, I will no longer guarantee them their favourite table.”
“I’m sure such a dastardly threat will bring them to your door grovelling for forgiveness.” Jos winked at Adalfi. “I’ll bring them along myself one night soon. I miss you when I don’t see you, you old goat.”
“Perhaps I’ll see all four of you,” Adalfi replied, with a suggestive look at Evelyn, which made her shift awkwardly in her chair.
“Maybe you will,” said Jos, a little more subdued now. Evelyn wondered what Jos had felt upon hearing Adalfi’s suggestion. “Anyway, we haven’t seen anything of Vito this evening, I notice.”
“It’s his day off. And that’s quite enough questions, I think.” Adalfi’s eyes were twinkling and he had blushed slightly.
“I’ll let you off this time, but next time I want the whole story,” Jos said.
“If there is a story to tell, you will be the first to know,” Adalfi promised. Evelyn was simply doing her best to understand the conversation. She thought she understood the gist of it and suddenly looked at Adalfi in a new light. Was he one of those men Lilian had mentioned, forced to break the law simply to fulfil their love for one another? If so, it seemed terribly unfair. Adalfi was a kind-natured man, certainly not someone who seemed likely to behave in a way that was obscene or abnormal, as it had been implied. Suddenly she felt dreadfully sorry for him, although he seemed happy enough.
“That’s all I need to know for now then,” Jos said. She rose to her feet. “Now Evie and I must be going, or else poor Courtney will be bursting with anxiety. She hates it when guests are late.”
Evelyn rose and accepted Jos’s help with her coat. Jos kissed Adalfi on the cheek in parting, and when
