Chapter 31
Harry was dressed and ready to go by the time Kat let herself into the flat after work on Friday night.
One look at how exhausted she was and the anger with her parents threatened to spill over but he shoved it back down.
Tomorrow morning he’d take her out in the yard and they could smash their way through his entire collection of rubbish crockery.
Tonight, though, he would do what she needed him to do and take care of her as best he could.
‘You look very smart,’ she said, giving him a weary smile as he stepped up to help her out of her coat.
‘I wanted to make an effort because I know it’ll please Mum. She was on the phone to me this morning going over the dishes she planned for tonight, she’s really going all out for Adam.’ He chuckled. ‘I hope he’s ready for a fuss.’
Kat grinned as she tilted her face up to offer him a kiss. ‘It’ll be nice for your parents to have some time just with you and your brothers and I’m sure Adam will have a great evening. I haven’t had the chance to get to know him much but everyone likes a bit of spoiling now and then.’
‘Speaking of which…’ Harry took Kat’s hand and led her into the front room. He’d spent an hour setting things up for her and her gasp of surprise and delight was worth it.
‘Oh, Harry, what’s this?’
‘I thought you deserved a treat, that’s all.
’ A bottle of her favourite Prosecco sat chilling in an ice bucket on the coffee table, next to a box of her favourite chocolates.
He’d had to call Issy for advice on those and a few other things as well.
The fleece throw his ma had given him as a moving-in present was draped invitingly on the sofa ready for Kat to slide under it and he’d robbed the stock cupboard in the restaurant – with Russ’s blessing, of course – and every available surface was covered in flickering tealights.
A basket sat on the coffee table with a selection of face masks and other pamper treatments Issy had dropped off for him earlier.
Harry reached for the remote control, turned on the TV and opened one of their streaming apps.
‘I put together a playlist for you.’ Issy had come through on that point too.
‘And dinner’s all sorted. There’s a plate of antipasti in the fridge and a lasagne in the oven.
You’ll just need to turn that on to heat up about thirty-five minutes before you want to eat. ’
Tears shone in her eyes as she turned to face him. ‘You didn’t have to do all this for me.’
‘I know, but I wanted to. You’ve had a rough week and you deserve the chance to put your feet up and relax.’ He leaned down and kissed her. ‘I’m going to have to make a move, I promised Mum I’d help her with dinner.’
Smiling, Kat raised her hand and cupped his cheek. ‘Of course you did. Go and have a lovely evening, and thank you so much for all this, it’s perfect. You’re perfect.’
Harry grinned as he stole another quick kiss. ‘You’re not so bad yourself. I’ll see you later, Kitty, save me a chocolate.’
Harry arrived at his parents’ to find they had everything in hand. ‘Did you get me here under false pretences?’ he asked his mum with a laugh as he set down the bag he’d brought with him and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
She had the good grace to look a tad guilty as she leaned in to give him a hug.
‘Is it wrong of me to want to spend a little time with you? You’re so busy at the restaurant and the hours there don’t make it easy to catch up with you.
’ She patted his chest. ‘Not that I’m complaining, but I do appreciate you taking the night off for this. I hope it wasn’t a problem?’
‘Not at all. It’s good for the juniors to have a bit more responsibility now and then and we’re not exactly rushed off our feet this time of year.’ He reached into the bag and pulled out a nice bottle of red wine. ‘To go with dinner.’
‘I’ll take care of that, shall I?’ his dad said, sweeping into the kitchen to retrieve the bottle from Harry’s hand. ‘Hello, son.’ He kissed Harry’s cheek then held the wine up to inspect the label. ‘Very nice indeed. You didn’t have to, but thank you.’
‘It’s my pleasure. So how’s things?’
‘Oh, no,’ his mum said, taking him by the hand and leading him over to the kitchen table to sit down. ‘There’s absolutely nothing exciting going on with us, but we want to hear all about you.’ She glanced over to her husband. ‘Don’t we, darling?’
‘We do indeed.’ Jago headed for the fridge and pulled out a couple of beers and set them on the table. ‘What are you having, Rach, a G let’s hope it’s finally knocked some sense into her.’
‘Do you honestly think it’ll make that much difference?’ Harry asked, gloomily.
His mum shook her head. ‘No, probably not, but don’t you worry about Kat. We’ll look after her when the time comes, she’s one of ours now.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
He didn’t get the chance to say any more because the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of Rick, Liam and Adam, and soon the kitchen was a hive of activity and full of noise and laughter.
Adam seemed a bit embarrassed when they all presented him with cards for his birthday, but he took it in good part and when Rachel handed him a wrapped gift his smile of thanks was genuine.
‘It’s too much, you shouldn’t have,’ he protested, even as he was tugging at the tape to open his present.
‘I’ve kept the receipt in case it’s not your thing,’ Rachel said as he pulled out a navy and white striped polo shirt. ‘Don’t be afraid to say so if you don’t like it.’
‘It’s great, thank you.’ Adam leaned over and brushed a very quick kiss on her cheek. ‘You’re very kind to have gone to so much trouble, I really appreciate it.’
‘And we appreciate everything you’re doing to help Liam with the hotel,’ Rachel replied, her cheeks warm with happiness as she stood and patted his shoulder.
‘Right, I’m going to get some nibbles out.
Harry, why don’t you tell Adam all about your plans for the cookery school while we wait for your brother to grace us with his presence?
It’s such a wonderful idea and a real investment opportunity. ’
‘Subtle, Mum, really subtle!’ Harry turned to Adam with an apologetic laugh. ‘Don’t mind her.’
Adam was watching Rachel bustle about the kitchen with a fond smile. ‘I don’t mind her at all, I think she’s great.’ He turned back towards Harry and his smile dimmed a bit as he added, ‘It’s nice she obviously cares so much about you all.’
There was something in his expression that made Harry wonder if Adam hadn’t experienced the same thing, but it wasn’t his business to pry.
Not wanting to embarrass the other man, he gave his arm a playful nudge.
‘Us all, you mean? If you think you’re escaping with a one-off birthday dinner then think again.
She’s got her tractor beam locked on you and there’s no escape.
Next thing you know she’ll be making helpful suggestions of all the nice young single ladies she knows. ’
Adam laughed. ‘Thanks for the warning! Though I’m afraid she’s going to be disappointed on that front.’
‘Already taken?’ Harry asked, then held up his hand. ‘Damn, sorry, ignore that if I’m being nosy. It runs in the family, I guess.’
Thankfully Adam didn’t seem to take offence. ‘Nah, you’re fine. I’m not taken, as you put it, but I’m not on the market either.’ He sipped his beer then set the bottle down on the table before sitting back and folding his arms. ‘So what’s the latest with the cookery school? You winning?’
‘Trying to. Kat and I have got a meeting with Russ on Monday afternoon to present the plan to him.’
‘You’re ready to go, then?’ He nodded thoughtfully for a moment. ‘Any chance of adding me to that meeting invitation?’
Harry sat forward. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Absolutely. I think your idea has got a lot of potential and your mum’s right about the investment opportunity. I take it Kat’s ironed things out with her father, then?’
The question immediately put Harry on edge. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, it was impossible to miss that drama between them at the weekend. If he’s going to go up against you in a bid for the shop then it doesn’t take a genius to see that puts her in a very awkward position.’
Harry didn’t feel comfortable talking behind Kat’s back, but if Adam really was thinking of investing then he owed him as much of the truth as he was willing to share. ‘Things haven’t been easy between them, but she’s working them out.’
Adam nodded. ‘That’s all I needed to hear because we both know you need her full commitment in order to make the cookery school a success.’
‘I know and Kat’s completely on board with the plan, I promise.
’ Harry crossed his fingers underneath the table as he spoke, hoping he hadn’t just jinxed himself.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Kat – he really did.
Her parents were a different matter altogether and they’d had their hooks sunk deep into her for a very long time.
If it blew up between them again, would Kat have the strength to finally wriggle free?
God, he hoped so.