Errors of Judgment(91)

‘Simon!’ Oliver scrambled to his feet and went to hug Simon.

‘Hi, mate. Merry Christmas.’ He hugged Oliver and handed him a present. ‘For you.’

Oliver tore the paper open. ‘Geomag! Wow! That’s genius!’

‘Say thank you,’ said Rachel.

‘Thank you.’

Simon laughed. ‘Glad you like it.’

While this had been going on, Leo had quietly fetched his coat, and was fishing for his car keys. He and Simon glanced at one another.

‘Leo, this is Simon – Simon, Leo.’

They shook hands awkwardly. ‘I was just leaving,’ said Leo.

‘Simon,’ said Rachel, ‘why don’t you help yourself to a drink? There’s some wine in the fridge.’

Simon dutifully headed to the kitchen, leaving Leo to say goodbye to Rachel and Oliver.

‘Seems a nice enough young man,’ said Leo.

‘Not so very young. He’s thirty-six.’

‘I guess it all depends on your vantage point.’ Leo smiled, and bent to scoop up Oliver and kiss him. ‘Be good for Mummy. I’ll pick you up next Friday evening. And I’ll be speaking to you on the phone before then.’

‘OK, Daddy.’ Leo set him down, and he headed back to his DVD and his Smarties.

Leo turned to Rachel. ‘Thanks for today.’

‘It was fun. Oliver likes us all being together.’ She smiled. ‘So do I.’

Leo kissed her face lightly, and opened the door to step out into the chilly evening air. He turned. ‘Speak to you in the week. Merry Christmas.’

‘Merry Christmas.’

If only she would let go, thought Leo, as he opened the car door. Then someone like Simon might stand more of a chance. He got in and turned the key in the ignition, letting the engine run for a moment, wishing he didn’t have to go to South Kensington. He really wasn’t in the mood for meeting Jacqueline’s family, for coping with a situation where small talk and the usual rules of social engagement were bound not to suffice, given the weirdness of the situation, making things even more awkward. Gabrielle was enough for him. He had no need of the rest. But Gabrielle and Jacqueline seemed to want to knit him into the family fabric.

He sighed and leant back against the headrest. His phone buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket. Jamie’s name appeared on the screen, and he answered.

‘Jamie?’

‘I’m sorry, Leo, I shouldn’t be calling you on Christmas Day.’

‘That’s OK. I’ve just left Rachel’s. What’s up?’

Jamie made a sound halfway between a groan and a sob. ‘I don’t know. Christ, I just needed to talk to someone.’

‘Hey, it’s fine,’ said Leo gently, alarmed by the distress in his big friend’s voice. ‘Talk to me.’

‘I’ve been with Margo and the boys today. And a couple of other family members. Her family.’ Leo heard him draw a deep, shaky breath. ‘Fucking misery from start to finish. She and I – we’ve been having some disagreements recently about property and money. That is, her lawyers have persuaded her she deserves more. Christ knows I’ve been generous – what option do I have? Anyway, we’d agreed that whatever is happening in the divorce, we’d try to keep things pleasant today. You know, because it’s been hard on Alice and Nick, and we promised them at the time that whatever happened, their mother and I would stay friends. But today at lunch she started on about the money. Why? Today of all days? With the kids there? They were great, tried to stop her, talk her down, but she – well, Margo had had a bit to drink, and she started on them, and the whole thing got out of hand.’

‘God, I’m sorry.’

‘Nick took it pretty badly. He’s having a tough time in his final year at uni. The last thing he needed was that kind of crap on Christmas Day. Alice took him off for a walk. I tried to calm things down, but I was left with Margo and her family, so you can imagine … I don’t know how we came to this, Leo. What the hell happened? It wasn’t like I did something, like I had an affair or anything. One day I think I’m happily married, and the next – this.’

‘Where are you now?’

‘A service station on the M25.’ Jamie managed a sad laugh, which was a good sign.

‘Right. Well, why don’t you head to my place in Chelsea? I’ll be home in ten minutes. We can spend the evening there. One of my clients gave me a very fine twenty-year-old Macallan, and I need some help drinking it.’

‘Are you sure? God, Leo, that would be a lifesaver. I just don’t want to be on my own.’

‘To be honest, I’m feeling somewhat vulnerable myself. I could do with the company.’