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I frowned, an uncomfortable feeling in my chest. You literally just met her.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, I know, and maybe I’m just being overprotective, but there’s something about her. I can’t put my finger on it.”
He was being irritatingly vague, but that wasn’t unusual for Nigel. I’d known him since we were five, and he was always talking about vibes and gut feelings. Normally, I didn’t pay much attention.
“Look, after what happened with Emer, I just don’t want you getting hurt again,” he went on, and I pressed my lips together, hating to be reminded of my ex.
She’s nothing like Emer, I signed at him.
“Right, but how do you know? Sure, they don’t look anything alike, but that doesn’t mean this Maggie isn’t going to cheat on you just like—”
I held my hand up, not wanting to hear anymore. Maggie’s a good person, and we’re not in a relationship, so cheating isn’t an issue. Just give her a chance, okay?
Nigel pushed up on the toes of his feet, then dropped back down again, hands still in his pockets. “Fine, I’ll give her a chance, but don’t blame me if it all blows up in your face.”
With that parting statement, he walked back into the house. I returned to the kitchen just as he was taking his seat, and I noticed his frown as he glanced at Maggie. She glanced at him briefly, too, and she must’ve sensed his misgivings about her because her shoulders grew tense. I was annoyed by his behaviour because, as I’d said, he’d only just met her, and already, he was making judgements. It really didn’t make any sense, and it pissed me off, to be honest.
I sat down next to Maggie, briefly touching her hand to check in and make sure she was okay. I knew it had to be strange. Having dinner with the family of the guy she rode the bus with every day but hadn’t yet been able to have a full conversation with. Our communication was patchy; though, I’d been touched when she’d asked me to teach her some sign language. Few people went out of their way to accommodate me like that.
“This is delicious, Eugene,” Maggie said to Dad, and he beamed at her. He was very proud of his cooking and always loved it when people complimented his food.
Conversation flowed, and I sensed Maggie relax a bit more. Then the topic of conversation turned to work as Rhys spoke about the new security software he wanted to install at the hotel. Nigel surprised me when he spoke up, directing his question at Maggie.
“And what do you do for a living, Maggie?”
I sensed her discomfort; though, I couldn’t tell if it was the question or my friend’s mildly hostile tone that was the cause. Probably both. I glowered at Nigel, but he just looked at me like it was a perfectly normal thing to ask.
“I’m a cleaner. I clean houses,” she replied.
“Oh,” Nigel said. “And you enjoy that?”
I didn’t like his attitude and signed at him to tone it down, but he ignored me.
“Yes, I enjoy it well enough,” Maggie said as she took a sip of water.
“It doesn’t seem like the sort of job someone would pick if they had another choice. You’re not hiding a criminal record or anything, are you?”
Maggie stilled, then seemed to deflate at his question. I’d never wanted to punch my friend more than I did at that moment.
“Nigel,” Rhys said in warning, a questioning frown on his face like he couldn’t understand why Nigel was being so rude. I couldn’t understand it either. It was times like those I wished I could speak, so I could tell him to quit being such a fucking dickhead. Maybe he was hung over. It was Sunday, after all, and he often went out drinking on Saturdays with his colleagues from the insurance firm.
“What has you in such a bad mood?” Dad questioned Nigel while I continued to glare at him.
My friend let out a sigh. “Sorry,” he said, glancing warily at Maggie before turning to the rest of us at the table. “I’ve been under a bit of pressure at work. It’s turning me into a right horrible bastard.”
“Ah, well, we all know about work stress,” my brother said, shooting him a commiserating look. I still wasn’t satisfied, though.
Apologise to her, I signed, and his eyebrows rose.
I just did, he signed back.
No, you didn’t. Do it properly.
Nigel ran a hand over the stubble on his jaw. “My apologies, Maggie. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. It was rude of me.”
I noticed her swallow, and there was still a certain wariness in her eyes as she looked at him, despite the apology. “It’s fine.” She paused and glanced around the table. “And just so you all know, I don’t have a criminal record. Unless you count the time I stole a packet of Starburst from the corner shop when I was seven.”
