‘’Cos I know there’s history –’
‘Shh!’
He was within hearing range now, making a beeline for us.
He stopped at the table, directed his most charming smile at mum and said, ‘Ms Miles. Would you mind awfully if I joined you?’
Mum looked so thunderstruck I wanted to laugh.
‘What’s all this “Ms Miles”?’ she said, after a moment of stunned silence. ‘You know my name’s Karen. That’s what you always called me.’
‘Yes, but I feel I ought to pay my respects to you, if that doesn’t sound too pompous. May I?’
He waved his hand at the empty seat.
‘Oh. Of course.’ Mum was still thoroughly discombobulated and she kept giving me anxious little glances.
He sat down and took a mouthful of his drink.
‘When life gives you lemons,’ he said, with a covert little half-wink at me.
Yes. Lemonade. I restrained myself from giving him the thumbs-up.
‘Sorry to hear about your dad last year,’ said Mum.
‘Thank you. But I’m the one who ought to be saying sorry.’
‘What, to Lucy?’
‘No, or rather, yes, to Lucy, but also to you.’
He launched into a very sincere-sounding apology for the way he had treated her when she had been his parents’ cleaner. He had spoken to her dismissively, often left messes for her to clear up, made the extent of his privilege and her lowliness abundantly clear in every exchange they had had. I listened, impressed at how fully he detailed his every transgression. I had feared he might try to elude responsibility by invoking his youth or his parents’ influence, but he didn’t. He accepted blame for his own behaviour and begged her forgiveness for it in the most touching terms.
He had to mean it? Didn’t he?
My mother certainly thought so.
‘Oh, look, it was years ago,’ she said warmly. ‘You were just a kid and you didn’t know any better. I thought nothing of it.’
‘Thank you,’ said Joss. ‘But I know it’s always bothered Lucy, and it was important to me that I make my peace with you, and her.’
Mum laughed. ‘Make your peace? I think you’ve got a few years in you yet.’
‘I hope so.’ He laughed back. ‘But you know what I mean, I think.’
‘Yes, I do. You’ve really changed. You’re a really decent bloke now. I hope your dad’d be proud of you.’
His smile wavered then returned to full beam.
‘Thanks.’ He finished the last of the lemonade and stood. ‘And now, if you’ll excuse me, ladies, I’m afraid I must be going.’
‘Oh, dear, all ready?’ Mum was in two-pints-down flirtation mode and she batted her eyelashes quite shamelessly.
‘I’m afraid so. Thank you again, Ms Miles, for being so understanding. It means a great deal to me.’
With that, he left. Or rather, with a parting glance at me, the meaning of which was absolutely clear.
I’ve done what you asked. Now it’s your turn.