EPISODE 15: SIZZLING AT THE BARBEQUE
OVER the years I’ve had lunches with the types of people whose personal wealth would make a material dent in the US national debt. I’m actually pretty good at lunch. But right now I’m fighting the urge to turn tail and head for the hills.
“Wow dad, look at all the Porsches,” says Noel, from the back of the ageing hatchback Emma usually drives to school and which we’re using today because its key was the only one I could find this morning. But it’s not the cars. Nor the people. Well, not most of them. It’s Caroline. And Emma. They’ve never met but they know of one another. And with Emma four months pregnant, expanding uncomfortably but not yet in the full bloom of her second trimester, sensitivities are razor sharp.
We slip around the side of Caroline’s “weekend cottage”, a £2m, Grade II-listed Lutyens country house. Feigning fascination with Caroline’s roses, I drag Emma and Noel into the garden, where Emma enjoys the flowers and I surreptitiously survey the scene. But Noel wants to eat, so we head to the fully staffed barbeque. I’m grateful for the distraction.
A voice booms: “The king is dead. Long live the king.” I turn to see Sandy striding towards me, hand in hand with Juliette. As he bows before me, Caroline bursts through the French doors. “Oh, you naughties,” she says. “I wanted to be here when you saw one another.” Sandy and Caroline embrace. “Juliette, this is my wife, Emma.” Noel tugs at my sleeve. “And Noel.” “Yes” says Juliette. “We’ve already met.” Continued next Tuesday.
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