Page 83 of He's the One

“Don’t act so shocked,” his father said. “You’re doing a good job. I know Darnley can be difficult.”

Now’s my chance.

But Theo’s mother came in and they both rose to their feet.

“Morning,” Theo and his father said together.

Her tea arrived as she sat down and Elliot brought her breakfast over.

“What brings you in for breakfast?” she asked Theo.

“Just wanted a chat with Father. I want to get more involved with the running of Asquith.”

His mother laughed. “You’ve been shadowing Darnley for the past year or so. Off and on.”

“I’d like to do more.”

“Such as?” his father asked.

“Maybe run an event myself from start to finish.”

His mother made a dismissive gesture. “We already gave you our opinion on your suggestions to increase footfall. That was your opportunity to prove what you can do. You missed it. Leave the events to experts.”

Theo clenched his fists under the table

“I think we could trust Theo to run something,” his father said.

Theo unclenched his fists. “An outdoor concert?”

“What if it rains?” his mother asked.

“Umbrellas,” Theo said.

Did I hear my father laugh?

“Don’t be facetious.” She glared.

“I’m not. People accept our weather is unpredictable and once they’d paid for the tickets, it’s up to them whether or not they come. How about a classic car event.” He’d keep trying. “A Valentine celebration. An Easter egg hunt for children. An outdoor Shakespeare production.”

“No,” his mother snapped. “We have enough people tramping through our house and over our grounds to fulfil our obligations to the trustees.”

“But we’re not talking about obligations,” his father said. “We need to increase footfall and an Easter egg hunt sounds fun.”

“Really, Ludo? Hundreds of small children squashing James’ flowers?”

Theo cringed at the look that passed between his parents.Oh God. What a misery my mother is. How does my father cope?Well, Theo knew. By not being here, or secreting himself in his office.

“What a pity you couldn’t come up with something simple that doesn’t involve creating mud runs in the grounds or film crews trailing wires everywhere or people dressed as fairies traipsing around the place.” She glowered.

Theo wasn’t giving up. “But an outdoor concert would be tasteful. We—”

“What’s the position with Charlotte?” she asked. “Have you asked her out? You need to get to know her.”

“We had a chat.”

“And?” His father looked at him over the top of his newspaper.

Theo didn’t want to put his father in a bad mood. “She seems nice.”

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