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“You to bring her home to formally meet the family.”
I wait for the fear to seep in. I’ve never introduced a woman to my family, and the idea sounds like commitment. Instead of being unnerved, excitement bubbles within. My grandpa already met her, but I think he’ll like her more when they meet again. Plus, I’d like them to meet Ainsley. She’s a bright kid and a big part of Nellie’s life. They come as a package, and I like that. “Okay. I’ll arrange something. Now, back to today. Go and get changed because I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“You’ve twisted my arm. But you’re buying the pies.”
“You have yourself a deal.”
***
Maybe my grandpa was onto something when he said we should avoid the races today. Janette has got the place decked out like a martini glass, and the usual calming atmosphere is missing. There are balloons for bubbles, cellophane strips as the glass against the wall, and glitter everywhere. It’s like we’ve stepped onto a performance stage.
Grandpa’s favourite seat is filled with boxes of Sweet Cocktail brochures, and it takes me a full five minutes to switch then to a different chair.
“Hey. What are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t make it,” Nellie says as she stacks glasses into a pyramid configuration.
“We’ve come for support,” I say, moving closer. She puts down the glass and carefully retreats from the display to give me a kiss.
“Hello, Mr McNabb,” she says to my grandpa.
“Please, call me Thomas. It’s nice to see you again.” This greeting is warmer than the last one, and I’m glad. I want him to like my girlfriend.
She beams at his response. “You too.”
Janette shows the first few guests into the room, and Nellie offers them a drink. The women are working the room, so I end up making our whiskeys. We watch a few races while Janette talks business.
Nellie’s phone is on the bar and keeps buzzing until it falls onto the floor. I cross the room and pick it up. There are thirty-four missed calls from Ainsley. When I look for Nellie, she’s busy topping up glasses at the other side of the room. It rings again, and I answer.
“Hello.”
“Christopher? Where’s Nellie?” Her voice is panicked, making my pulse quicken. The number of calls was already strange, so this must be urgent.
“Let me get her for you.” Interrupting her conversation with a guy in an expensive suit, I push my way through to her. “Nellie. You have an important phone call.”
“Sorry, Mr Vine. I’ll be right back.” She gives him a tight smile before eyeing me curiously. We move toward the fridges away from the guests. “That was rude. Couldn’t you see we were talking? What could be so desperate you couldn’t wait a minute for me to come back to the bar area?”
“Your sister’s on the phone.”
Her eyebrows knit together as she processes what I’ve said. “Is there a problem?”
“I’m not sure.” I hold the phone up to her and she takes it.
“Hi, Ainsley. What’s wrong?” She touches her forehead as horror washes over her face. A lead weight fills my stomach. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She turns and knocks one of the glasses from the tower of drinks she made earlier. The pyramid tumbles down, sending alcohol flying around the room. She hangs up the phone, hardly noticing the mess she’s made as people begin to stare. “I have to leave.” Her skin has turned ghostly white.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Janette says, trying to cover her despair.
“I have no choice. My sister’s at the hospital. Our house has burnt down.” Her eyes appear glazed over like she’s not completely here.
“There’s no one else to help me with serving these guests.” Janette grits her teeth, gesturing to the room.
“I’m sorry, but my sister comes first,” Nellie says with unwavering confidence.
“If you leave, I won’t have you back at Sweet Cocktails.” The vein in Janette’s head pulses as she loses her cool.
Nellie hesitates for a few seconds. I know how much Sweet Cocktails means to her. It’s not family, though. “I’m sorry.” She grabs her things and starts to run out of the door. My grandpa follows me out onto the corridor and we chase Nellie into the parking lot.
“Wait, Nellie,” I shout.
She finally stops when we’re out of the building. When she turns, her eyes are full of tears. “Ainsley’s at the hospital.”
