Page 72 of Darling

“Honestly, I’ve no idea. He’s been lying to me for months.”

Felix’s eyes go wide before he wipes his mouth with his napkin. “What do you mean?”

I sigh, twisting the wine glass around on the table. “Bridget asked me today how he was getting on at his new role in DC. It turns out he left his job with Kelly six months ago on the premise he had a new job with me in Washington.”

“And I’m guessing he doesn’t?”

“No.”

“Shit. So what’s he been doing for the last six months then?”

“Good question. I’ll speak to him when I get back. I didn’t want to do it over the phone because I want to see his eyes. I’ll know if he’s lying about it that way.”

“Surely he knows you’d find out from someone here? There’s no way it wouldn’t have come up.”

I nod, acknowledging the point. “Perhaps he just doesn’t care. I don’t know what’s going on, I mean, I knew he was unhappy at Whitehall, but I don’t know why he wouldn’t just tell me he’d quit.”

“Well, maybe he was scared?”

“Of me?”

“Of letting you down.”

“He could never let me down,” I say. “I knew he’d leave politics eventually, he’s not cut out for that world. I just wish he’d talked to me about it.”

“So talk to him,” Felix says simply.

“He doesn’t want to talk to me, I’m his father.”

“Then I’ll talk to him. Give me his number and I’ll do it right now.”

I laugh gently. “You can speak with him next month at the ambassador’s soiree. You’re both still coming?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“And then you’re going to New York after?”

Felix nods. “Mmm. Nico is alsodraggingme to see his favourite band. He’s such a nerd about them, it’s sort of cute.”

“What sort of band?”

“Guitars.”

I laugh again. “You’re kidding. How unusual.”

He looks at me and then shrugs. “How should I bloody know? There’s a guy who sings and another guy who plays guitar and then another guy who plays guitar. Oh, I think there’s a girl on guitar, too. Look, I’m trying to be interested in things he’s interested in.”

“Yes, I can see that.” I grin around my food.

“They’re just not my cup of tea. Our music tastes diverge quite dramatically; he hadn’t even heard of Little Mix when we met.”

“Well, I think the point is, you’re trying. And you do seem happier, sweetheart.” There was a calmness about him now that he’d never had before, an assuredness that went beyond the surface-level bravado he so often displayed. He sets down his fork and smiles that brilliant smile of his, which this time is entirely genuine.

“I’m happy. Which is partly down to you, you know.”

“Me? How so?”

“Well, you didn’t laugh at me when I told you about Nico, and you didn’t think the idea of us together was ridiculous—even when I did. Youencouragedme to go for it.”