9

Leah

 

 

Sunday late morning saw me at my sister’s house. Her husband, Michael, was already at golf, and her step-daughter Sara was in the living room playing games with a couple of friends. Violent games, according to what I saw as I passed through on my way back from the bathroom.

“Aunty Leah, do you want to play a bit with us?” Sara asked as I made my way back to the kitchen.

I smiled at her. “I think I’m a little old for video games, guys. But thanks.”

They all made a nice show of groaning and bemoaning my reluctance, but I’m sure they were all secretly very happy they didn’t have an ‘old person’ trying to weasel in on their fun. Not in the least, I couldn’t work out what on Earth they were doing except maybe killing things.

“They all right in there?” Anna asked as I sat back down.

I checked the time on my phone. “Seem to be.”

“Are you eager to see him, or just to be rid of my judgments?” she chuckled.

I looked up at her with a sarcastic nose wrinkle. “Neither. Just like to keep track of how much longer until he arrives.”

“You can admit you like him,” she said through a mouthful of scone.

I’d decided it was safer to stop eating an hour earlier so I didn’t offend Mother by not being hungry. I was regretting that decision, but had to stand by it. “What makes you say I like him?”

She held her finger out for me to steal the leftover cream off. “The fact you’ve barely stopped talking about him since you walked in the door like three hours ago. At this rate, I think I could probably pass as his fiancée!”

I snorted. “I’m sure Mike’d love that. Besides, I thought the whole breakfast thing was for me to run through my game plan? Talking about him is kinda mandatory.”

She shrugged as she sat back in her chair. “This is true. You’re still determined to go through with it?”

I nodded. “I’m legit at the end of my tether, An. If she keeps setting me up, I think I’m going to go mad.”

“Yeah, I thought that too until I met Mike.”

“She didn’t intend for you to marry Mike.”

Anna conceded that one. “No. True. She had her eye on his brother.”

“You think she’s unhappy with Dad?” I mused. “Or you think she’s just terrified of being old and irrelevant?”

“Bit harsh,” Anna semi-chastised and I half-conceded. “But who knows. They certainly seem…content.”

“I’m kinda looking for more than contentment, though.”

She pointed her biscuit at me. “I thought you weren’t looking for anything?”

“I’m not. Now. It’s not like I’m against the idea of marriage. I’m just…”

“You’re just not ready to settle down.” There was no judgement in her tone. If anything, it told me that was perfectly all right. I appreciated the sentiment, but it was only partly true.

“I’m just severely lacking in the finding worthy men department.”

Anna grinned. “What’s wrong with Patrick, then?”

I shrugged, suddenly feeling a little coy. “Nothing, really. Although, I’m pretty sure he’s the not ready for a relationship type.”

Anna nodded sagely. “Because he’s a prostitute.”

“Pfft. No, I think he’s just like me.”

“Avoiding anything real by pretending he’s not ready?”

“No one’s pretending.”

“Of course they’re not. You just find any reason to not be with a guy.”

“Is it my fault that every single guy I meet is too immature or too clingy? And forgive me for not jumping at all the taken ones.”

Anna pointed at me thoughtfully. “There’d be very little risk of commitment if you did,” she joked. At least, I was almost certain it was a joke.

“Are you saying I’m not desirable enough for a man to leave his partner for?” I sassed.

“I’m saying you wouldn’t give him a reason to. Taken people are lazy. We’re not leaving our partner just for a dip in a foreign pond, it’s too much effort,” she said as though she was well-versed in being unfaithful to her husband, but those two were far too loved up to even consider it a possibility.

“So, I’m a pond now?” I asked as the doorbell rang.

Anna got up to answer it. “Like a Frog Princess.”

I scowled at her. “Then you should treat me as befitting royalty.”

“Sure, your majesty,” she snickered as she walked out.

I stole a mini custard tart as I heard her open the door. It was definitely not to steady my nerves, because I was in no way excited to see him again after only seeing him two nights earlier.

“Hello, darling,” he said as he walked in and Anna snorted a laugh. Patrick looked at me, understandably slightly confused, but in a humoured sort of way.

I waved away any concerns he might have had. “She knows.”

He looked between us. “She knows?”

Anna nodded. “I know all about Leah’s utterly mad scheme to piss off Mother, and your part in it. Brave of you, I thought.”

“Patrick, my sister Anna,” I said with a smile.

Patrick was looking at Anna like he wasn’t quite sure what to do or say next. “Good to meet you.” He looked at me. “Pleasure’s too formal, hey? And nice is just…well, nice?”

Anna spluttered another laugh, “Oh, yeah. This is going to go so well. I’m almost disappointed I won’t get to witness you introducing him.”

“That is sort of the point, thank you,” I reminded her.

“Oh, I know. Hence my disappointment.”

“You don’t think we can pull it off?” Patrick asked her.

Anna levelled one of her best concentrated looks on him. “On the contrary. I think the two of you have the ability to pull it off scarily well. Mother’s going to hear the words ‘works in security’ and have a fit. Add that to you coming in like that,” she indicated his clothes, “and the cat’s in the bag.” Anna looked to me. “You’ve informed him she’ll employ sabotage at every opportunity?”

I nodded. “I have.”

“I heard she might even offer me money,” Patrick added.

Anna huffed a laugh. “That’s one of her last resorts. If she offers you money, then you know she’s desperate. Mostly she’ll just make life really difficult for you and be super rude–”

“But not the kind you can call her out on,” I said.

Anna nodded to me in agreement. “She’s a worthy foe.”

“And what happens if none of this happens?” Patrick asked.

“What do you mean?” Anna asked.

“What if she doesn’t do any of that stuff?”

“Then you’re boned,” Anna said matter-of-fact.

“That will mean she’s so deep in denial she’s just waiting for it to bite me in the arse and come to its inevitable end.”

“And what do we do then?”

Anna shrugged. “Hope the point’s been made.”

“Oh. So, easy then,” Patrick said.

Anna and I shared a laugh.

“Oh, definitely.” Anna nodded. “Shouldn’t you two be going?”

I sighed. “Yep. Into the breach we go. Advice?”

Anna held her hands up and shook her head. “Nope. I’ve told you I think this is nuts. From here on out, you two are on your own.”

“Probably a good idea,” Patrick said.

Anna looked at me while pointing at him. “I like him. Seems sensible.”

“Okay, well on that note, we should go.” I hauled myself out of my seat.

“Say hello to her for me, and a hug for Dad.”

I nodded. “Will do.”

Anna and I led Patrick back through the living room so I could say goodbye to Sara.

“Who’s that?” she asked.

“This is Patrick. Patrick, my niece Sara and her lovely friends.”

Patrick nodded to them all. “Hey.”

“Do you want to join us, Patrick?” Sara asked.

Patrick surprised me by leaning on the back of her chair and watching the tellie. “What are you playing?”

“‘Left 4 Dead.’”

“Choice.” He nodded approvingly. “One or two?”

“Two, duh,” Sara’s friend said.

“Of course,” Patrick agreed. “Definitely the better of the two.”

Sara swivelled to look up at him. “How do you know so much about it? Aunty Leah says games are for kids.”

He shrugged. It was as unapologetic as it was unashamed. “Between my sister and my mate, it’s kinda unavoidable. Plus,” he added cheekily, “they’re bloody good fun.”

Sara and her friends smiled.

I was starting to get the impression that Patrick Grace was one of those immature men I’d told myself I was done with. But, for the first time in my life, it wasn’t a turn off. It was a turn on. Well, it was somehow endearing and that, in itself, was a turn on.

“But, alas,” he continued, “your aunt and I need to be somewhere. Maybe next time?”

The kids nodded and the three adults headed to the front door.

“You’re a gamer then?” Anna asked.

“Eh, not really. I play console now and then with the team and my sister, but according to her and Nico, I’m not a gamer.”

“What constitutes the difference?”

He shrugged. “Dunno really. But they’re both total nerds. Well, Bert calls herself a geek, but Nico’s a grade-A nerd king. All things computers and games and shit. None of that’s really my thing, but put a controller in my hand and I can usually hold my own.”

“Interesting,” Anna mused, throwing me a look.

She knew me more than well enough to know this had the potential to throw a spanner in the works. But I didn’t have to let it. Patrick and I had agreed that this was a temporary situation, so what did it matter if he was one of those immature guys I wasn’t interested in? If anything, him being immature would be better for the ruse…so long as he didn’t try to hide it from my mother.

“I will call you later?” I asked her.

She nodded. “Good to meet you, Patrick. Good luck.”

He grinned. “Cheers, and you too.”

I gave Anna a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried Patrick out of there.

“She seems nice, your sister.”

“She is nice. When she wants to be.”

“Sounds like a sister.”

“They the same older or younger, then?” I asked as he unlocked the SUV.

He nodded as he went to the driver’s door. “In my experience, yeah.”

“Did you forget to tell me about an older sister?”

He huffed a laugh as we got in. “No. Tank and Nico both have older sisters and I’m honestly not sure it’s any different to being the older one.”

“Nice to know it’s not just older sisters. Although, if all sisters are the same, what does that say about me?”

He threw me a wide smile. “Nothing, far as I’m concerned. You’re not my sister.”

“No. I’m definitely not.”

The drive to my parents’ was relatively short. Not quite enough to walk, but enough that there was no need to fill the car with inane chatter. It also wasn’t enough that the lack of much in the way of talk was deafening, nor did my vague directions contrast starkly against it. Overall, it was nice. Normal and nice.

After me yelling over him into the intercom, we drove up the driveway and Patrick parked his car in front of the house as I directed him to do. I looked up at the house, so familiar and yet, years after moving out, so foreign as well.

I noticed Patrick run his hand through his hair as we made our way to the front door, but wasn’t sure if it was borne of nerves or maintaining the look of dishevelment.

My mother was standing at the door as though she’d been waiting for us for hours.

“You’ve brought a man,” was the first thing out of my mother’s mouth, all disdain, despite the fact I’d informed her of this when I’d arranged to come over.

I found I didn’t need to act affronted on Patrick’s behalf. “This is Patrick Grace,” I said with a hand on his arm. “Patrick, my mother, Priscilla Carmichael.”

Mother inclined her head and held her hand out to him. “I’ve seen you with Mrs Fortescue.”

Patrick nodded as he shook her hand, no less enthusiastic for the contempt she was showing. “You have. I work for her husband.”

My mother let slip the smallest amount of hope that meant he was a somewhat decent man. “You’re a lawyer.” It wasn’t a question.

“Uh, no. I’m in security,” Patrick answered, sounding partly apologetic but also implying he really shouldn’t have to be.

And there went all hope from my mother’s person. “I see. Come in, then. Leah, your father’s already in the dining room.”

I shared a ‘well, we’re on our way’ look with Patrick, took hold of his elbow tighter, and we both followed my mother inside.

“Take him through, I need to check on the kitchen.”

I nodded to her and took Patrick through to the dining room.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Leah,” Dad said fondly, his welcoming smile only growing when he saw Patrick. “And guest. Nice to have you. I’m Aubrey Carmichael.”

Patrick shook Dad’s proffered hand. “Patrick Grace. Thanks for having me.”

“Not at all. It’s not every day your youngest says she wants to bring someone home.” As Dad was wont to do, he headed for the drinks trolley. “I’ve seen you around, haven’t I, Patrick?”

“I don’t doubt it, sir. I work for Mr Fortescue.”

“Richard! Yes. You’re the strapping young man Felicia brings to all the boring soirees.” Dad chuckled as though Patrick would be in on the joke.

I just stood around and waited for Mother to come in and tell me where to sit. Dad had found someone he expected would share his commiseration in the necessity of attending these things and would now be mollified in expressing such. Of course, completely glossing over the fact that I had always hated attending those sorts of things, but I was a girl and therefore supposed to enjoy them. Dad had a good heart, he was just also slightly set in his ways.

“Yes,” Patrick answered. “Mrs Fortescue and I have what I suppose you’d call a standing arrangement.”

“Good man. Good man.” Dad nodded approvingly then held up the whiskey decanter. “Drink, Patrick?”

“No, thank you, sir. Best not. I’m driving.”

“Good man. Sensible,” Dad repeated. “Leah?”

I shook my head. “Not just now, thanks.” I had the feeling this would all go a lot smoother if I was totally sober.

“Well, more for me,” he said happily. “Now, Patrick. What sort of work do you do for Richard?”

“He’s in…security,” my mother said as she walked in, making the word sound utterly filthy.

Dad nodded as he finished his sip. “Really? And it’s Grace you say?”

Patrick nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Wouldn’t happen to be Grace as in Grace Grayson, would it?”

Patrick nodded again. “It would, sir.”

“Impressive resume.”

“So, you own the company then?” Mother asked, taking her drink from Dad and standing with us.

“On paper. Kit Grayson runs things day-to-day. I’m more into grunt work.”

Had I been in the midst of a drink, I might have choked on it. As it was, I had to stop myself laughing at the thought that elicited.

“Are you quite all right, Leah?” Mother asked.

I nodded. “Yes. Sorry. Uh, did Patrick mention he was in the military?”

Dad looked at him in surprised admiration. “Were you now?”

“I was, sir.”

“Fascinating.” My mother’s voice didn’t have to imply anything, it was quite obvious she thought very little of the accomplishment. “Tell me, Leah, why it is we have the pleasure of your company this afternoon?”

“A girl can’t have lunch with her parents?”

“A girl can do a great many things. You, however, have rarely been known to request more than the absolute minimum.”

I was starting to regret turning down that drink now. “Well…” I started with a self-conscious laugh. “Patrick and I… That is to say…” It was seriously not that difficult a sentence. So why didn’t it want to come out?

“We’re engaged,” Patrick said for me, and I found all my stress and panic disappeared as soon as the words were said.

“We’re engaged,” I repeated with a nod.

Dad looked between us for a moment as though weighing up the situation and trying to determine what his answer should be. My mother, on the other hand, looked about ready to drop her glass.

She was the first one with no qualms of speaking her mind. “I beg your pardon?”

“We’re engaged, Mother. To be married.” I held my hand up so she could see there was a ring, like that was actually necessary for the commitment to stand. Although, in my mother’s eyes, it went an awfully long way.

“No. I assumed you were engaged to climb the Swiss Alps together,” she said in a rare display of outright sarcasm.

“Congratulations, my darling,” Dad said, although his glance out of the corner of his eye towards my mother somewhat diminished the sentiment.

“Congratulations?” Mother looked at him in horror. “We know nothing about this man to have any notion if congratulations are in order, Aubrey!”

“Of course, Priscilla.”

“This is very sudden, Leah. How long have you known this man?”

“Long enough to know I want to marry him.” It was vague enough to get on her nerves.

Mother looked me over like she wanted to say it mustn’t have been very long at all then, but she knew me. She knew I wasn’t the sort to let a new love run wild and get engaged as a flight of fancy only to regret it down the track. That had been Anna when she was younger – though not with Mike – but never me.

“I see. And the family ring wasn’t good enough was it?” Mother asked.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t know there was a family ring until after I’d asked,” Patrick said, just as we’d prepared.

“And when he’d gone and specially selected one for me, I felt rude to ask him to do it again with another ring,” I added.

Mother opened her mouth, but Dad cut her off with a gentle hand to her arm. “Perfectly understandable.”

Mother rolled her eyes as much as she could while pretending she hadn’t while making sure I’d seen it. “Give me a proper look at it, then.”

I held my hand out, beaming at Patrick as I did. Honestly, it was a gorgeous ring; white gold band with a cluster of diamonds inlaid with a single ruby.

Mother’s eye ran over it and I knew she’d have nothing she could feasibly complain about. It wasn’t gaudy or so high fashion it would be considered hideous in a couple of years, and it clearly had enough diamonds to be worth what she’d consider a reasonable amount of money for such an important item.

“Well,” she finally said as she released my hand. She gave Patrick a begrudging nod. “Your taste isn’t abysmal, at least.”

It was the most complimentary she’d allow herself to be. Making sure she at least didn’t just say no was the first step to the whole charade. We didn’t want her to be too accepting, obviously. Of course, if my initial plan of horrifying her so much with my choice of fiancé backfired, I could always fall back on the hope that she’d think my heart was so broken she’d still never mention marriage again. I was looking at this whole thing as a win-win.

“Well, I’m very happy for you,” Dad said, extending his hand to shake Patrick’s again. “Good man for making an honest woman out of her.”

Patrick nodded. “Thank you, sir. I just hope I can be worthy.”

Dad clapped him on the shoulder and started leading him to the table. “Call me Aubrey, son. And that’s all we can ever really hope for isn’t it…”

“Leah. Why don’t you help me bring lunch in,” Mother said.

I nodded, sparing one look to Patrick before I followed her out.

“I suppose you think I would have said no if we’d met him before he proposed?”

I swallowed. “Uh, I didn’t actually really have time to think about it. It’s all just sort of happened.”

“Are you living together?”

“No. Not yet.”

She nodded once. “Good.”

I tried for the more informal moniker, “Mum–” but she cut me off.

“You’re keeping your options open, at least. Not entirely stupid, then.” Before I could come up with any sort of retort for that, she continued, “How’s Edward?”

I blinked as she handed me a dish. “Fine. I think.”

“You saw him last weekend, I hear.”

I couldn’t have begun to guess who’d told her. “I did. I felt it rude not to say hello. Harris didn’t mind.”

My mother clicked her tongue. “Harris hasn’t the brain cells to mind anything.”

“You set me up with him!” I accused.

She shrugged. “Always better to keep your options open.”

I scowled. “I don’t need options. I have Patrick.”

“Yes. Now.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means the future is always uncertain, Leah. Which is why it is important we keep our options open.”

Oh, game on, woman, I thought as I followed her back to the dining room.

She had a plan, or was at the very least formulating a plan to get me back on track to marrying Edward within whatever timeframe she’d decided upon. Her plans were currently going to have to wait as a temporary derailment came in the form of my dad clearly enjoying Patrick’s company to the point that even she found it difficult to disregard basic politeness.