your sister.”
“It would be horrible.”
“It would be. Even though it’s not like you grew up together and have a strong family relationship. It’s like those awful stories of people who meet, fall in love and get married, and then discover they are brother and sister, separated at birth.”
“It’s not actually like that at all.”
Charlie cracks up laughing, and Kit realizes, with a start, that Charlie is very, very drunk. “You’re right. It’s nothing like that. I’ve had too much to drink. Alice? ” She calls over to the other end of the table, where Alice has managed to sit down for a quick celebratory drink.
“Yes, Charlie? ”
“I just want to say I love this place and I hope you don’t suffer at all in the recession.”
A silence falls over the table.
“No, I’m serious. I know it’s quiet, and God knows I’ve never seen the place so empty on a Saturday night, but I think it’s still the best food in town, and if you ever needed any additional investors, I’d invest.”
Kit nudges her sharply under the table, to shut her up, but Charlie, it seems, is drunk, and on a roll.
“Actually, I take that back. I can’t invest. We haven’t got any money because my husband lost it all and, at the age of forty, I’m moving in with his parents.”
“Charlie! Shut the fuck up! ” Keith is in a fury as he stands up and abruptly shoots his chair back.
Kit wants to reprimand him about the language, for Tory and Buckley are both at the table, but there are no words in the face of Keith’s anger, and she just sits quietly, wishing they would both calm down, hoping this won’t ruin what has been, so far, a lovely evening.
“DARLING! ”
They all turn at the shriek from the entrance, relieved there is a break in the awkwardness, to see a tiny blonde woman stalk regally toward the table, her over-madeup eyes on Kit. She is in a black and white bouclé suit, large gold and pearl earrings, a fur collar and a cashmere cape, her age indeterminate, thanks to her wonderful plastic surgeon, her hair expertly blown out this morning, as it is every morning, by her personal hairdresser.
“Oh my God!” Annabel whispers, turning to Adam. “She came? ”
“Mother!” Kit masks her surprise, and stands up to greet her.
Ginny throws her arms extravagantly around Kit, before spying Tory and Buckley, and throwing her arms around them.
“Who is that? ” Tracy asks Robert. “She certainly knows how to create a scene.”
Robert watches Ginny. “I’m guessing—this is only a guess, mind you—but I’m guessing by the fact that Kit called her Mother, that she might perhaps be . . . Kit’s mother? ”
“Darling kiddlies.” Ginny is now smothering Buckley with kisses. “You got so big! And so handsome! Just like your father! ”
“Hello, Ginny.” Adam steps forward and gives her a kiss on either cheek. “You’re looking as glamorous and gorgeous as ever.”
“Why thank you.” Ginny laughs, coyly, not noticing Annabel because her eyes are fixed only on Adam, until she turns and spies Robert McClore sitting at the table. She stands still for a second, giving him a cool appraising gaze.
Kit leans over to Edie: “Her radar for attractive men is still exactly what it was.”
“You’d better keep your boyfriend away from her,” Edie whispers back.
“He’s not rich enough for her to be interested in him. Robert McClore, on the other hand, is much more like it, and he’s much more the right age.”
“Didn’t you say she has someone in her life? ”
“My mother always has someone in her life. Until someone better comes along.”
“Does she recognize him, do you think? ” Adam leans over, hearing their not-very-quiet whispers.
“I’m not sure. I think it’s unlikely. If she did she’d start telling him about all the people they have in common.”
Adam grins. “They have people in common? ”
“Well, I don’t know that for a fact, but given that Ginny knows the entire world, I think it’s very likely. I’m surprised she didn’t start his career.”
“What are you talking about? ” Edie frowns.
“Kit and I used to joke about it. Ginny is convinced she’s behind every huge star or success story. Seriously. If it weren’t for her, you know, the Dalai Lama would never have the career he has.” Adam and Kit both burst out laughing at the memory of Ginny’s words, before turning to see Tracy shooting daggers at Ginny.
“Oh dear,” Edie mutters quietly. “I can feel a drama brewing.”
“Am I