‘Hey, bro, I’d kept you a seat,’ Leon said, all hail-fellow-well-met a few minutes later coming to stand beside Jonathan as he waited for his luggage.
‘Oh did you?’ Jonathan was proud of his faux nonchalant air. ‘Sorry, I just sat in the first seat that was free.’
‘I knew you had to collect luggage so I came to see if you wanted to share a taxi. We could have a drink and a chat?’ Leon suggested casually.
‘Thanks but I’ve got plans.’ Jonathan kept his eyes focused on the bags dropping onto the belt.
‘Nice jacket, is it new?’ Leon fingered the soft leather jacket Jonathan was wearing.
‘Yep, and most of what’s in this case. Had a ball shopping.’ Jonathan grabbed his case off the carousel.
‘Where’d you go?’ Leon asked eagerly as Jonathan plonked his hand luggage on top of the case and began to walk away.
‘King’s Road, Bond Street.’
‘Ohhh expensive clothes there!’
‘Indeed,’ said Jonathan, politely smiling as though he hadn’t a care in the world.
‘So listen, I know things didn’t go exactly as planned; perhaps we could meet and have a drink and a chat about it next week seeing as you’re tied up now?’ Leon persisted, falling into step beside him.
‘Sure, if I’m free, that sounds fine,’ Jonathan said casually, knowing Leon had a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening.
‘So did you have a good time after all then?’ Leon probed as they approached the Blue Channel and the exit.
‘I did, had a great time actually. I was disappointed that you weren’t more honest with me before we planned the trip. I thought you had more integrity than what you showed, but hey, it happens. Sometimes people aren’t who you think they are. Have to leave you now,’ he said as the big doors to arrivals slid open. ‘I have friends waiting outside so I’ll say goodbye.’ Jonathan looked around at the people waiting at the barrier, saw Sophie waving madly and broke into a smile. Real friends were worth more than gold, and he had the best.
It was hard; he knew he was going to have some tough times because Leon’s rejection had cut deep. He’d been in this dark place before but he’d climbed out of it. It was something he had to face. The sooner he dealt with it the better. ‘See ya around,’ he said to Leon, proud of his acting and his blasé approach to their final encounter.
‘Absolutely. I’ll phone you about that drink,’ Leon said, but his words were left floating in the empty space between them as Jonathan hurried to the shelter and welcoming arms of the Jonathan Harpur Rescue Society.
C
HAPTER
T
WENTY
-E
IGHT
‘Sue, we need to talk. I want to know why would you say what you said to your mother about me being too busy to bring her to the clinics?’ Hilary asked, determined not to lose her cool but equally determined to let the other woman know that her behaviour was unacceptable.
Sue glared at her. She did not appreciate being doorstepped on a Monday evening after her aerobics class, when she was red-faced and sweaty, and looking less than her groomed self. She did not relish this encounter with her sister-in-law because Sue knew she had overstepped the mark. ‘For goodness’ sake come in and don’t start arguing with me at the front door,’ she snapped, inserting her key in the lock.
‘Fine, I just want to sort this and then I’ll be off,’ Hilary said coolly. She followed Sue into the magenta-painted hall and pristine white lounge with an aubergine sofa and one glass coffee table the only furniture. A spray of lights in the corner and a large abstract painting on the wall softened the stark white of the room but Hilary felt it was cold and sterile, a bit like Sue herself, she couldn’t help thinking.
‘Now, what’s your problem, Hilary?’ Sue went on the attack immediately.
‘My problem is that you said something to your mother that made Margaret feel under pressure, hurt and upset about me bringing her to her clinics. Something I never did. Why, Sue? She’s elderly. There was no need for it. All I did was ask you to help your own mother.’
‘No! What you did was try and make me feel guilty and under pressure,’ Sue retorted.
‘That’s not fair, Sue,’ Hilary said tightly, determined not to lose her temper.
‘Life’s not fair, Hilary, deal with it,’ Sue retorted.
‘What exactly is your problem? I don’t understand your attitude.’ Hilary stared at her.
‘Oh for God’s sake, my problem is having to listen to how “wonderful” Hilary is, and how great those girls of hers are and what a pity I never had children, blaa de blaa de blaa!’ Sue snapped. ‘It gets wearing when you’re constantly listening to it, believe me. Not every woman wants to have children. We’re not all earth mothers. I don’t see why my wishes couldn’t be respected without having to endure my own family constantly trying to guilt-trip me. I live the life I want to live and if people don’t like it they can lump it.’ Sue’s eyes flashed with frustration and temper.
‘Well I’m sorry about that,’ Hilary said, taken aback by the venom in her sister-in-law’s tone. ‘And I’m sorry for you and Margaret that your relationship is so . . . so . . . fractured. But please in future don’t use me as a weapon to inflict discomfort on your mother. She’s
