The Dilemma(42)

I leave him with the bowl and move to the side, listening as he tries to get people, once they’ve given him their phone, to move up the steps and onto the lawn. At first, no-one responds, so he starts shouting that there are drinks in the marquee. It works; the terrace empties and Livia goes with them. She’s quickly surrounded by a group of people and all I can see is her auburn hair. Then it’s just me and Nelson.

‘Have a drink with me,’ he says.

‘What would you like – beer, wine, champagne?’

He sits down on the steps. ‘I don’t suppose I could have a whisky, could I?’

‘Sure. Wait there.’

I go to the dining room, find a single malt and two glasses, and half fill them.

‘Here,’ I say, handing him one.

‘Thanks. Exactly what I need.’ He pauses. ‘Kirin’s pregnant.’ He clinks his glass against mine. ‘Here’s to big families.’

I wade through the mess of emotions coursing through me, trying to find an appropriate response. ‘Wow.’

‘You can say that again.’ He takes a drink. ‘It’s twins.’

I can’t keep the shock off my face. ‘Twins?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Christ.’

He looks at me, a frown furrowing his brow. ‘Right now, I’d be expecting you to be rolling on the floor laughing.’

He’s right, normally I would be. ‘It’s great news, Nelson, really. You are pleased about it, aren’t you?’

‘I’m sure I will be, once I’ve got used to the idea. Kirin sort of sprang it on me earlier. She couldn’t get into the dress she wanted to wear and that’s when she told me. It was quite brutal. My fault – I told her she’d better go on a diet if she didn’t want to bust the zip, and she told me I’d better get a vasectomy if I didn’t want to end up with more than five children. You know Kirin, she gives as good as she gets.’ He takes another long drink from his glass. ‘Father of five, who would have thought it? But, you know, after I’d got over the initial – pretty awful, I have to say – shock, I began to think it might be quite nice. As long as they’re girls. I don’t want another pair of little monsters. I don’t know where the boys get their energy from. That’s the only thing that worries me. I’m already permanently knackered. Sometimes I envy you. We’re the same age and yours are off your hands.’

‘Don’t envy me,’ I say quietly, so quietly that I’m not sure he’s heard.

‘I suppose I must be OK about it,’ he goes on, ‘because while I was having my shower I began to think about names. I thought, if they’re girls, it might be nice to continue with the flower theme. I was thinking Poppy and Dahlia. They go well with Lily, don’t you think?’

‘Dahlia? Poppy’s alright – but why Dahlia?’

‘They’re the only two flowers I know. Apart from Chrysanthemum and Carnation and I don’t think Kirin will like either of those,’ he says with a grin.

‘I don’t think she’ll like Dahlia much either. What’s wrong with Rose?’

He turns to me, a look of amazement on his face. ‘Adam, you’re a genius! Rose!’

‘They might not be girls,’ I remind him.

‘They better bloody be,’ he growls. Then he starts laughing.

‘What?’ I ask.

‘Five years ago, we’d have been talking about motorbikes and who won the Grand Prix. Now we’re sitting here talking about babies and flower names for girls.’

I find a smile. ‘You started it.’

He gives me a nudge. ‘People arriving.’

‘I’ll see you later,’ I say, getting to my feet. ‘Go and get drunk, you deserve it.’

‘Adam!’ I turn and see Jess smiling at me. ‘Where’s the birthday girl?’

I give her a hug, taking care not to knock her off balance. ‘On the lawn. Where’s Cleo?’

‘Here!’ I look past Rob, who is standing in front of her dressed in a tuxedo and bow tie. He’s fiddling with his hair and I have to reach round him to give Cleo a hug.

‘This is amazing,’ Cleo says, her blue eyes moving around the garden, taking everything in. ‘Those lights in the trees – they’re beautiful!’

‘How are you?’ I ask, and I feel even worse because all I can think is that here is another person who’s going to be devastated if anything has happened to Marnie.

‘I’m good – apart from Charlie, who’s being a bit of a child at the moment.’

‘I’ll kick his ass if he upsets my little girl,’ Rob threatens.

Jess casts her eyes to the sky. ‘Your little girl is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, aren’t you, darling?’

‘Absolutely,’ Cleo says.

I hold out the bowl, now nearly full with mobiles. ‘Phones in here, drinks this way,’ I say, showing them the steps, and thankfully, they leave, Rob going up the steps first, leaving Cleo to help Jess.

An arm comes around my shoulder. ‘So, how are you?’

‘Dad. I’m good. Hi, Mum. Wow, you’re looking glamorous.’

Her eyes search my face. ‘How’s the migraine?’