Page 3 of Be More Capybara

‘Message received and understood,’ he said, heading out into the hall.

The dining room looked the same, but the dining table had all sorts of embellishments that his mother would never have bothered with. Looking at the food names beautifully written in silver ink on black cards, he sensed his future sister-in-law Lucy’s influence. From the little he’d seen of her on Zoom, he liked her. Amazing that his wayward little brother had finally found someone sensible to share his life with.

He put the tray of cheesecakes in front of the card labelled Blackcurrant Midnight Kisses, next to Sweet Countdown, which looked suspiciously like mini tiramisus in cocktail glasses.

He headed over to the drawing room to complete his mission. As he put his hand on the drawing room doorknob, he noticed a strange fluttering feeling in his stomach. Get a grip. You’re used to standing up in front of investors and hostile business owners. Your mother’s accidental daughter and a stepfather should be nothing to worry about. It was still daunting, though. Demoted in his family as well as in his professional life. What an unsettling end to the year.

‘Desserts are in the dining room if you’re feeling peckish,’ he announced.

A woman almost ran towards him with a beaming smile. His new sister, Julia. He recognised her from the family online call he’d been part of when Nancy broke the news to him. He’d imagined Julia to be petite like his mother, but she’d got some tall genes from somewhere. She was almost the same height as he was. ‘I’m so pleased to finally meet you in person, Nigel.’

She pulled him into an enthusiastic hug. He eased himself away from her. ‘Hi, Julia. Lovely to meet you too.’

‘You can’t have him all to yourself,’ a deep voice with a slight German accent said behind him. Nigel turned to see his rescuer. Klaus, his stepfather. They’d spoken several times online since Klaus had moved into the Grange, but he was taller and more imposing than Nigel expected. That was obviously where Julia got her height from, and they definitely had the same eyes.

‘Good to meet you at last.’

Klaus firmly shook Nigel’s hand. ‘Your mother is delighted you’re here.’ But not Klaus, obviously.

‘I hope you don’t mind me turning up unexpectedly.’

Klaus smiled. ‘Of course not. This is your family home. You’re always welcome here. Can I get you a drink?’

‘Thanks, but I’ll sort myself out.’

‘As you wish.’ Klaus smiled again before heading over to the windows to talk to someone Nigel didn’t recognise.

There were so many people to say hello to, it was hard to know where to start. His brother Mark looked like he was winding up a conversation with a couple Nigel didn’t know. He headed in his direction.

Nigel looked up from the drink he was pouring as Lucy walked into the kitchen. ‘I get the distinct impression that you and Mark are avoiding me.’

‘Are we? It’s a surprise, that’s all. Do you normally fly halfway across the world with no notice?’

‘No, but sometimes it’s refreshing to do something unplanned.’

She didn’t look convinced. ‘I’m going to be straight with you. If you’ve come here to pick holes in the treehouse plan again, you can forget it. It’s a rock-solid business opportunity, so don’t sabotage it.’

‘I promise that’s not why I’m here. And I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I respect your opinion. You’ve been brilliant on the marketing side.’

‘I know. I have awards to prove it.’

Buttering her up obviously wasn’t going to work. ‘So how have I upset you, Luce?’

‘Well, Nige. Where do I start?’

Definitely prickly. He probably shouldn’t have shortened her name.

‘Sorry. I didn’t realise you didn’t like being called Luce.’

‘I don’t mind it, but you have to earn the privilege, Nige.’

He nodded. ‘Fair enough. And for the record, I like being called Nige.’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘Really? Mark thinks you hate it.’

‘I used to moan about him doing it when we were kids just to annoy him.’

‘And that’s exactly the problem. Your default reaction to anything he says or does is to antagonise him, and treat him like he’s still ten years old.’