Friend of the Family

‘A whirlwind romance,’ said Juliet. ‘You were married about six months later, weren’t you?’

‘Nine,’ said Amy. ‘Didn’t seem much point in waiting. Especially since we’d wasted so much time.’

‘That’s just like me and Max,’ said Claire. ‘We were less than a year.’

Max nodded, shrugged. ‘That’s because I was on the shelf, though, and starting to go bald. I didn’t think I’d get anyone else to put up with me. Thought I’d better snap her up.’

‘You old romantic,’ said David, punching him on the arm.

‘Ow!’ he said, rubbing the spot. ‘That hurt!’

‘It was meant to.’

Conversation turned to children and schools and celebrity gossip among the women, and business among the men. Max revealed that his firm were toying with the idea of expanding into America, reasoning that ‘The Yanks can’t get enough of anything British.’

Charles took a more sober view. ‘I can get some of our analysts to look at the market out there for you if you’d like.’

Max snorted. ‘With respect, Charles, I’m not wasting any money on management consultancy bollocks – I’d much rather spend it on boots on the ground, get a top-notch team in the States. Just need to find someone I can trust.’

‘Why don’t you do it yourself?’ said Peter.

‘I would, but Claire’s having none of it, are you, darling?’

She shrugged. ‘The twins are happy at school.’

‘Well, what about you, David?’ said Peter. ‘You’re always saying you need a change. The finance side would be a cakewalk for you, and you know Max’s business inside out, don’t you?’

‘I ought to, he’s been bothering me with every last bloody detail for the past twenty years,’ said David ruefully.

‘I think it’s a brilliant idea!’ said Claire, flapping her hands with excitement. ‘Amy, you could get a snazzy New York editorship and we could all spend our summers in the Hamptons.’

‘Amy doesn’t need a job in New York. She’s going to be the next editor of Mode,’ said Juliet, her words slurring slightly.

‘Has the job come up?’ said Claire in surprise.

‘Ros Kimber announced she was leaving last week,’ said Juliet.

‘Really? How did I miss that?’ she asked. Claire’s background was in the fashion industry and even though she only did the odd bit of consultancy work these days, she always enjoyed being up to date with the gossip.

‘You’ve been in Provence with patchy Wi-Fi,’ said Max.

Amy shot Juliet a look and avoided David’s gaze. ‘I’m not sure I’m even going to apply,’ she said, playing with her napkin.

‘Not sure?’ laughed Max. ‘Sweetheart, cocks are being blown for that job as we speak.’

Charles and Pandora coloured in the evening heat and Amy glared at Juliet, who just shrugged and reached for the wine. She never had been able to hold her drink.

‘Shall we have another bottle?’ she said.

‘Not for me,’ said Amy, putting her hand over her glass. ‘I think I’m getting a headache.’

The taxi could only fit five.

‘Don’t worry, we’ll walk,’ said David, taking Amy’s arm as the others climbed into the car.

‘Are you sure?’ asked Claire. ‘It’s pretty dark on those lanes.’

‘It’s a beautiful night and the stars are out,’ he said, and Amy felt her heart sink. She knew David had an ulterior motive, but he didn’t say anything as the taxi pulled away and they strolled arm-in-arm back between the honey-coloured houses and out into the country lanes with their low hedges, crickets chirping around them. Finally Amy could stand the silent treatment no longer.