Chapter 8 #2
‘Thank you,’ she replied, relief flooding her. ‘I’m still in my pyjamas.’
His brows quirked. ‘And very nice they are too. Don’t worry, doubt if The Aunts will have noticed but my mother surely will.
’ He chuckled at her scandalised horror.
‘Go. Make your escape now and no one will notice if I ply them with tea and biscuits.’ As she turned to leave he added, ‘And I’m sorry.
I had no idea the family were going to descend en masse. ’
‘Oh dear boy–’ one of The Aunts piped up, commanding his attention.
Callie fled.
Having had the quickest shower possible and thrown on jeans and a loose linen shirt, she considered hiding upstairs but, remembering Jessica saying she had a reason for the visit and guessing it might be something to do with the exhibition, she put on her metaphorical big pants and trotted downstairs again.
After all, Johnny’s family looked good fun, and she could cope with them better now she was fully dressed.
‘Ah, Calliope, there you are.’ Johnny greeted her with a mug of tea. She couldn’t discern his mood but he looked fairly relaxed, still dressed in his running gear. High on endorphins perhaps. ‘May I introduce you to my father Sidney Starling and my mother Dorothy.’
An impeccably dressed woman in maybe her seventies approached Callie. ‘Oh, do call me Dorrie.’ She extended a manicured hand with a wrist jangling slim gold bangles. ‘Everyone does. And Calliope, what a darling name!’
‘It’s lovely to meet you, Dorrie.’ Callie thought Johnny’s mother was quite the force of nature. Silver hair swept up in a chignon, subtle pearls at the ears and palazzo pants in vivid swirls of pink and yellow. ‘Most people call me Callie.’
‘So you’re Jonathan’s flatmate, eh?’ Sidney Starling thrust out a hand and pumped hers vigorously. ‘Super to meet you. Can’t understand why he didn’t bring you to the party yesterday. We can always do with another attractive filly about the place.’
‘Pretty sure that’s not an appropriate thing to say, Dad.’ Johnny winced. ‘Besides, Calliope and I weren’t much more than strangers yesterday.’
‘Well don’t hang about, son. You don’t want to let this one get away.’
‘Why don’t you sit down, Dad. I’ll bring your tea over.
’ Johnny steered Callie towards the French doors.
With a clenched jaw, he added, ‘I know Jess needs to see Calliope about something. I’m so sorry,’ he whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her neck.
‘The feminist movement completely passed him by.’
Callie let a giggle escape. With his elegant bone structure and high-bridged nose, Sidney was an older, unreconstructed version of his son.
Clutching her tea, she slipped past the trio of aunts and into the garden.
She found Jessica lounging in a deck chair, the baby scrabbling about on a throw Callie recognised from the sofa.
Sitting in the chair next to her, she said, ‘Gorgeous baby.’
‘He is,’ Jessica agreed. ‘But I would say that, wouldn’t I? Let me introduce you to the youngest in the Starling clan, Inigo.’
‘Hello, Inigo.’ Callie wiggled her fingers pulling a face. The baby giggled, little dribbles emerging onto his chin. He flopped onto his back and took a foot in each pudgy hand, going cross-eyed in concentration. ‘They’re adorable at this stage. My little girl was just the same.’
‘I hadn’t realised you had a daughter.’
‘Grown-up now. In Ibiza.’
‘Oh my. I remember that stage. I backpacked around the Greek islands before I got married and all sprogged up. Now I’m a proper grown-up I suppose.’
Callie observed her. The curly hair was held back by a colourful scarf, the cheesecloth smock crumpled, and the cut-off jeans bore a large grass stain.
She didn’t look any older than Frida. The difference lay in the sense of determination and strength of character coming off her in waves.
Must be in the Starling genes. ‘Had you come to see me?’
‘Yes. Thought I’d introduce myself and, rather selfishly, little Inigo was fractious, and a walk settles him.
He’s teething.’ Inigo blew a bubble confirming it.
‘But I’d popped in to see the family and The Aunts caught wind of the plan and trooped along with me.
As I said, I’d hoped to lose them at the harbour, but they were determined to check you out.
Their stamina coming back up the hill rather impressed me, but then I was hampered by the buggy.
I’m so sorry, Callie. They’re a bit much to deal with but it had gone ten so I didn’t think it was too early. ’
‘I overslept and then Frida, my daughter, rang me so I hadn’t got as far as the shower or the washing up.’
‘I saw the wine bottles and glasses for two. Did you have a guest?’ Jessica asked innocently.
Callie knew Jessica knew but played along anyway. ‘No, actually. Johnny and I shared some wine, got to know each other a little and I made pasta. I’d planned on clearing up this morning.’
‘Well, it’s good to know who you’re sharing a house with, I always say.’
There was a silence only filled by the baby gurgling and a seagull crying overhead.
‘We’re just friends, Jessica.’
‘Shame. He’s a nice man. Been through it a bit recently. Could do with some cheering up.’
‘It’s not my job to cheer men up.’
‘Oh absolutely. Quite rightly so. I completely agree.’ Jessica lifted her hair off her neck. ‘I just hoped… well, you look right for one another somehow.’
Callie gave a short laugh. ‘I agree Johnny is a nice man, but we barely know one other. Fate has thrown us into each other’s way and we’re dealing with it as best we can. We had said we probably wouldn’t see much of each other but it doesn’t seem to be working out that way.’
Jessica screwed up her face. ‘And it’s going to carry on that way, I’m afraid.
Ma and Pa are hosting a barbecue and an invitation is coming your way.
You don’t have to accept, of course, but there’s always loads of food and lots of booze.
It can be fun. Why don’t you come? The Starlings can be a bit much as a flock, but I’ll be there to rescue you.
’ She paused meaningfully. ‘And my big bro too. In fact, it’ll be marvellous for him to have someone to concentrate on to look after.
Might deflect some of the family’s flak. ’
‘I’m not here to protect a man from his family either.’
‘No, you’re absolutely not. It’s just you’d be doing him a huge favour.
’ Jessica bit her lip giving Callie the side eye.
‘And the food really is good. Ma’s using external caterers.
If you don’t want to come for Johnny, come for me and Inigo.
’ She picked up the gurgling baby setting him on her knee facing Callie. ‘How could you resist him?’
‘Do you always get your own way?’
Jessica grinned. ‘Always. Ask Johnny. Oh, here he is now. I have great news, bro. Callie has agreed to come to the famalam barbeque.’
Johnny glanced from one woman to the other. ‘Wonderful.’ He frowned. ‘Did Jess bully you into it?’
Callie took one of Inigo’s hands, loving the never forgotten feeling of a baby’s fingers curling around hers. ‘Not at all,’ she said blithely. ‘I’m really looking forward to it.’