Chapter Twenty #2
Muffling his laughter, Alex jumped up and headed towards the kitchen. ‘Chase, let’s get on with the cooking or I’ll be talking about my stuff all night. And I need you all awake and able to reach for your chequebooks!’
A couple of bottles, and despite Chase and Alex’s kebabs, they were all more than a little sideways.
Alex hopped up the stairs to check Ellie was still asleep –miraculously she was – and returned, reminding them to keep the noise down.
It was worth a try and there was nothing wrong with optimism.
Truth was ten years ago and his words would have fallen on deaf ears but the combination of his guests’ maturity (bar Hector) and their respect for his new role meant they did try their best. It involved lots of shushing.
As he poured them all some more wine, having got everyone on board with his project, Alex found himself telling them about Sylvie and her quest to find a house in Penmenna.
‘And the thing is she just deserves it, you know. She’s been bringing up Sam entirely by herself – the father doesn’t want to be involved at all from what she says and I’ve never heard her bitch about it, not once.
Then she gave up her career and came home and nursed her mother for years, and now she feels the need to move out because it’s very much her uncle’s farm.
She wants a fresh start for her and Sam, the life she had planned for them, and yet there’s nowhere in Penmenna available in her budget. ’
‘Well, perhaps she should get a bloody job then? Can’t her parents help?’
‘I’ve just told you, they’re dead, for God’s sake.
The mother did leave her half the farm, but she refuses to capitalize on it.
She’s adamant that she would never disrupt her uncle’s life like that and besides which it’s security for Sam.
She has just got a job, thanks to Rosy…’ Alex nodded in recognition to Matt, ‘…and hopefully will get her ballet school up and running, but that doesn’t help out with the whole deposit and rent-in-advance thing.
Do you know how hard it is to rent privately these days, Hector? No, of course you don’t!’
‘I do know how hard it is to get bloody staff – you should see the problems I’m having with my house in Morocco.’
‘Yeah, it must be really tough. Don’t be a twat. This is serious.’
‘Sylvie needs a place to rent in Penmenna?’ Matt leant forward as he addressed Alex.
‘Yeah, she really wants out of the farmhouse and to be in the village. And it would be great to have her and Sam even closer. Ellie would love it.’
‘Ellie would love it,’ Chase said, with a completely straight face. Alex flicked a look at him, but he appeared to be genuine.
‘From what I’ve heard, Ellie really likes the way her curly red hair peeps out from the blanket,’ Hector added.
‘I didn’t say that. At no point did I say that, did I?’ Alex looked at Matt and Chase for support.
‘Not those exact words, no,’ Chase helped. ‘But she has been your main subject of conversation all night. I think we could probably tell you her shoe size and star sign if pushed.’
‘And she’s just had it so hard and she just needs looking after. A real good looking-after.’ Hector guffawed as he made some pretty infantile hand signals.
‘Shut up, Hector, that’s not OK. Do you never learn?’
‘Seriously, I may have a solution,’ Matt interjected.
‘Haha, so does Alex.’
‘One more time, I dare you.’
‘Hey, hey, hey…’ Chase, used to being peacemaker between these two, held up both his hands for quiet. ‘What are you trying to say, Matt?’
‘I should probably talk to Rosy first, but I was going to suggest to her that we live together. I know it’s quick but we both spend every night together as it is – I haven’t seen the inside of my own house for more than fifteen minutes for as long as I can remember.
I have planned a thing for her and was going to ask then.
But if she says yes, and she might not – I still can’t tell which way she’s going to jump – and as you know, Chase,’ he nodded at his friend, ‘she has this thing about firm boundaries and compartmentalizing, but if she says yes, then we might have a spare cottage between us. If we were to rent to Sylvie I can’t see us needing the deposit and I’m not sure about the month’s rent in advance.
But you can’t say anything, because obviously I need to make sure Rosy is on the same page as I am with this relationship. But it could work.’
‘That’s a great idea. It really could. When were you going to ask her? Were you thinking soon?’
‘Whoa, Alex. You can’t push Matt into something for your convenience, especially not because you’ve got a crush on your daughter’s friend’s mum.’
‘I haven’t got a crush, Chase! What is it with you lot?
I’m a grown man. I haven’t said anything about a crush.
I don’t look at her in that way, I’m just looking out for her.
Why do you assume I’m only being kind because I want to sleep with her?
I’ve never said that. She’s the mum of Ellie’s best friend, for God’s sake, why would I mess that about?
And besides, she’s in no place in her life to be looking for a relationship.
She has got way too much on her plate. I’m not messing with her life when she’s still trying to get the most basic security for her family sorted.
And besides, why would I rock the boat with someone I respect as a friend, regardless of Ells, for a quick shag?
No way. That’s not it at all. None of you have any idea what you’re talking about. ’
‘I don’t know about the rest of you, but methinks the lady doth protest too much.’ Hector chortled as he held his hands up to protect himself from the inevitable flying cushion.