Page 116 of Love ad Lib
Lucas: They’re not trying any weird shit with you, are they?
Libby: Christ, Lucas, NO!!!
Lucas: Okay, calm down. I’m just looking out for you, babe.
Libby: I need you to pay me back.
Lucas: Let’s talk when you get home.
* * *
Henry hummedthe tune the quartet had played at the party the previous night as he strolled past Foxbrooke Primary School. Memories flitted through his mind. When was the last time he’d been this happy? Maybe during his early years when he, Connor and Estelle had toddled around the Manor. Or when they’d started at this place. Back then he’d been blissfully unaware of the unusual nature of his family. Until that fateful day when they’d been dragged from their screaming parents by the police. Henry stopped humming, his happiness fading, and picked up his pace.
After that moment, everything had changed. Primary school was manageable, but the low-level anxiety that rumbled away in the background increased to a roar when they moved to Foxbrooke Secondary. Starting Eton should have been a reprieve. But even though he was a Viscount and his father the Duke of Somerset, polyamory and sex parties were not acceptable, no matter what social class you were in.
Henry’s plan had always been to make enough money to support his younger siblings in their education. But now his obligations to Summer were over, what would he do? And did he even have a job to go back to? He swallowed a wave of nausea. He’d been suspended for at least two weeks, after which the ‘situation would be assessed’. So much depended on whether James decided to press charges or not.
Stop thinking about it. He tapped the packet of condoms in his pocket and a smile spread across his face. Being with Libby was an ongoing surprise party with him as the honoured guest. His previous girlfriends had been pleasant but unsurprising. They may have found him dull, but that was the life he wanted, where everything proceeded according to plan. But last night with Libby was the hottest experience of his life, and he wanted her back in his arms.
His phone rang. It was the Dower House.
‘Gram-Gram?’
‘Hello, Henry, it’s Marie here. Are you and Elizabeth available to visit your grandmother today?’
Elizabeth. The fake name was a reminder that he was lying to his family. And now he’d crossed a line with Libby he never wanted to uncross. He didn’t know what his future held, but he was going to do his best to ensure it contained her. In a few short days she’d shown him how happy it was possible to be. But if their relationship continued, how long could they keep the Elizabeth Bennet lie going?
‘Henry?’
‘Sorry, Marie, I was miles away. Yes, I’m sure we can pop in later.’
‘Splendid, I’ll let her know to expect you both.’
He ended the call, his happy mood soured. As long as Libby still wanted to be with him, at some point they would have to explain why she no longer worked in publishing and that her surname was Fletcher, not Bennet. The first was relatively easy to deal with. The second, not so much.
‘Henry!’
His heart lifted. Libby was outside the Manor’s front entrance, a large ceramic bowl in her arms.
‘Look at this! Perry says it’s at least two hundred years old!’
He looked dubiously at the hairline cracks in the glaze. ‘That’s a good thing?’
‘Yes! This starter is going to be living history.’
‘Which part? Smallpox?’
‘Ha ha. Only the tastiest bits.’
His gaze flicked to her lips and she blushed.
She glanced around as if to check they were alone. ‘Was your, erm, shopping trip a success?’ she whispered.
He nodded.
‘Jolly good. Um, excellent shopping skills. Ten out of ten.’ Her cheeks went a darker red.
He leaned forward until his mouth was by her ear. ‘Are you going to mark my performance out of ten later?’
