Page 2 of Love ad Lib
‘First-aiders,’ said Arthur out of the corner of his mouth. ‘You never know where a vegetable may get stuck.’
Henry blanched as his mind vomited a medley of unpleasant images.
‘I’m joking,’ his father chortled. ‘But thisiswhat I’m worried about.’
‘Vegetables?’
‘You. I’m worried aboutyou. We all are.’
Give me strength. Henry took a big breath. ‘You’reworried aboutme?’
His father’s eyes creased with concern. ‘Yes—’
A door banged open ahead of them, and a couple of women slid into the corridor. They were naked and glistening, holding onto each other to stay upright as they cackled. Henry stared pointedly at the wood-panelled ceiling as they stumbled towards them.
‘Enjoy the jelly room?’ his father asked.
‘OMG yes,’ one replied. ‘And you made them with vodka! You’re a total legend, Foxy.’
Henry stiffened at the pet name. The media had recently transferred his father’s moniker to him, and he hated everything about it. How could they think he was anything like his dad?
‘Have you tried any of the other wet play areas?’ Arthur continued. ‘Our latest addition is the lube room. We’ve got water blasters locked and loaded with every flavour of the rainbow.’
‘Such fun!’ the girl squealed.
Henry swallowed to keep the bile from rising. He needed to get out of there and back to the safety of his controlled life in London. Even though his eyes were still glued to the ceiling, the scent of raspberry jelly was closing in. He flinched as someone touched his arm.
‘OMG, itisyou. Cass, look. It’s Foxy junior!’
‘Eek! Excited face! Wanna come and play?’
Gritting his teeth, Henry shook his head.
‘Maybe later,’ his father replied. ‘Why don’t you two run along and have fun. There’s a champagne fountain in the library, and at eleven you can play “hunt the marshmallow” in the billiards room.’
The women slipped away with shrieks of excitement and Henry let out a breath.
‘Dad, I’m leaving now.’
His father took his hand. ‘Dear, dear Henry.’ He sighed. ‘I so desperately want you to be happy.’
Arthur looked genuinely pained and something inside Henry’s chest tugged. How could he say that what stressed him out the most were the antics of his father and a family legacy he wanted no part of?
‘Iamhappy, Dad. I like my life in London.’
Arthur lifted the cigarette holder and took a drag even though it had burnt out. Henry knew the action was designed to give his mouth something to do rather than badger his son to come home permanently.
‘Love,’ his father finally said. ‘You don’t have love in London.’
Henry opened his mouth, but his brain couldn’t find the words to fill it.
His father squeezed his hand and led him towards a door. ‘Just give them a chance, okay?’
Them?‘What have you done?’ His heart rate spiked, adrenaline rushing through his veins.
‘Just talk to them. Kick back a bit and relax. They’re lovely ladies. And very excited to meet you.’
Arthur opened the door to around twenty beautiful women. They looked up expectantly.
