Edward’s already chosen me over them, so they need me on their side if they want him back. I’m the missing piece that can bring the family back together.
I’m no business tycoon, but I do know that you can’t sell anything without first creating a need. However uneven our power differential might be, I have something that the Holbeck’s want: their son.
My blue eyes find Matilda’s green ones. ‘I understand. And I’ll see what I can do,’ I smile.
‘Fabulous,’ she grins. Then a thought seems to occur to her, almost in passing, almost as if she had only just thought of it. Almost.
‘Oh and, listen, what are you both doing tomorrow?’
‘Tomorrow? I’m not sure. Not much, I don’t think.
Why?’
She pauses, confused in some way by my response. Then she smiles. ‘Oh, of course, right. Well, we’re having a little family dinner. It might be a nice occasion for you to meet everyone. There’ll be a big crowd, but everyone’s girlfriends/partners will be there too so there’ll be lots to take the pressure off you. Just a quiet family dinner. I just think everyone’s going to love you. I wouldn’t suggest it otherwise, trust me.’
‘Tomorrow? Yeah, okay, I don’t see why not. I’ll tell Edward we’re coming over.’
Matilda squeezes my arm in solidarity. ‘That would be perfect. This is perfect. I can’t wait.’
* * *
Out on the street, Matilda hails me a cab and slips the driver a wad of notes as I slide in.
‘Oh and, honey,’ she barks through my open window, ‘forgot to say: I am so sorry for that situation with your publisher. I thought I was helping but mother tells me “all totally inappropriate”。 So, lesson learnt. Don’t worry – it won’t happen again, sis.’ And with that, she blows me a kiss and slaps the roof of the taxi, sending us off into the busy traffic.
Edward’s still in San Diego, so I tap out a text to let him know I’ve agreed to the family dinner. He’ll be back tomorrow morning, so there will be more than enough time for us to make it across town for the evening. Although the idea of meeting everyone tomorrow is incredibly daunting, I can’t think of a better way to acclimatize myself to them than in a large group where the focus will be spread out.
Edward’s reply comes back almost instantly.
Tomorrow night?!
Yeah. Why?
And you told them we were free?!
Um, yes… we are free, aren’t we?
Is everything ok? Xx
You know what tomorrow is, right?
What do you mean?
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!
I stare at my phone screen, unblinking. No. Oh my God, no. I did not know that. I feel my face throb with heat, my nausea resurfacing, until colours speckle my vision of the city through the cab window.
She tricked me. Matilda straight-up tricked me into a Thanksgiving Dinner.
I may be British, but I know Thanksgiving is a big deal, and definitely not something to be wandered into lightly, the day before it happens, having never met another soul at the table. My stomach flips as I picture the scene in my mind’s eye.
I open my cab window, letting the cold air cool my flaming cheeks. New York rushes past, and life goes on. The world keeps turning even though I am heading directly into the heart of the Holbeck clan, tomorrow evening, like a lamb to the slaughter.
Matilda tricked me and I didn’t even notice it happening. If she’s the presentable face of that family, then I will need to be on my toes tomorrow night. A shudder runs through me as I close the window and it hits me that I will finally be meeting Robert Holbeck.