Page 47
“Ah. Of course.”
We head out to the street, which is quiet on this late afternoon. Richard watches as a solitary car passes. His eyes follow it until it disappears from sight. Only then does he speak.
“Iona said the break-up had nothing to do with you.”
“Aye, well, I haven’t even spoken to her since the Pheasant.”
His jaw tightens, and he crosses his arms over his chest. “Are you going to try and get back together with her?”
How to answer that? Should I even answer that? Is it even his business if they’re no longer boyfriend and girlfriend?
“I . . . don’t know if that could ever happen,” I say eventually. “But I do want to be her friend again, if she’d allow that.”
Richard studies me in silence for some moments. “And you honestly think you deserve that?”
I shrug. “Probably not, no. But that’s for her to decide.”
He blows out. “Yeah, you’re right. That is for her to decide. But if you do reconnect with her, don’t fuck it up again. She’s special, and she deserves to be happy. That’s all I wanted to say.”
He turns to go.
“Wait!”
He hesitates then glances back.
As tense and uncomfortable as this is, I respect him for looking out for Iona. He’s a decent guy—even if he hates my guts.
“I wish you all the best,” I say.
With a curt nod, he returns to packing up his things.
Back inside, Jamie wants to know if things are over between Richard and Iona, and I confirm they are.
“Why was that so boring, then? I was watching through the window, and not only were no blows exchanged, you shook his hand. I wanted to see you going at each other! How come you’ll chase me around the kitchen with a wooden spoon, but you’re all civil to that guy?”
“Because he’s a decent human being and you’re an annoying wee brother.”
“Oh, you should not have said that.” Jamie pulls a pose that looks like something out of Karate Kid. “Hi-ya!” He kicks the air dramatically. “Prepare to pay for your insolence!”
Just then some guests come down the stairs, and Jamie immediately drops his arms and smiles at them. “Heading out? Okay, see you later.”
After the door clicks shut behind them, he waits a few moments for good measure then springs back into action. “Ready to face my wrath?”
“Nope.” I don’t have time for this nonsense right now. I’m busy pondering what, if anything, this break-up might mean for me and Iona.
From the kitchen, Elspeth calls, “Lewis! It’s not long till the restaurant opens. Could I have your help with some prep, please?”
Jamie grins from ear to ear. “Elspeth doesn’t know yet! I’m going to go tell her you broke Richard and Iona up.”
“But I didn’t! And don’t you d—”
Already he’s rushing towards the kitchen. I race after him, but bloody hell, even though his rugby days are long behind him, he’s still fast.
He gets there before I can intercept him and proudly announces, “Richard is moving out!”
“What?” Elspeth, who was in the process of tasting the mushroom and barley soup, drops her spoon in surprise.
“And Lewis is the one who split them up.” Jamie points at me.
