In Bed With Lord Byron

hurt by seeing us together. She said you wanted space.’
    ‘But that just isn’t true!’ I cried, my face flaming. Now my mind was made up. I opened up the ‘evil bitch’ box and flung Kerry firmly inside, slamming the lid down
tight.
    ‘I realise that now,’ said Anthony. ‘I had a talk about it with Kerry just now – well, it was a bit of a row, as she was very drunk. I’ve left her behind at the
club. I thought I’d better come straight over and talk to you.’
    ‘I still can’t believe it,’ I said. ‘I mean, it was just a blatant lie.’
    ‘Well, not a lie – she probably just got the wrong end of the stick.’
    ‘No, Anthony,’ I cried. ‘She’s
lying
. We
never
had that conversation.
Ever
.’
    I waited for Anthony to erupt. To realise that Kerry wasn’t all she seemed. To declare that the wedding was off. Instead, he let out a deep sigh and lay down on the bed, loosening his tie.
I turned and glared down at him.
    ‘Anthony – this behaviour – it’s not on, you know. It really isn’t.’
    ‘I know, I know,’ he sighed. He glanced at me. ‘But I understand it.’
    ‘What!’
    ‘Well, Kerry’s jealous. That’s obvious. She’s felt threatened ever since she met you. And I know it’s awful, but I do understand it.’
    Oh give me a break, I thought. Then I slumped inside. It seemed as though Kerry could let off a nuclear missile and Anthony would say, ‘Well, she was just having a bit of P.M.T. that day .
. .’ This, surely, was verging dangerously on unconditional love.
    I reached over to the minibar, pulling out another drink. I felt Anthony’s eyes on me as I stretched over and found myself blushing. Then I shook those thoughts away: they were just my
imagination.
    ‘So, tell me about your mother,’ I said, eager to change the subject. ‘I’m so glad Kerry persuaded you to see her.’
    ‘Well, it wasn’t really Kerry, you know,’ said Anthony, patting my arm. I remained very still, hiding the sensations he was provoking inside me. ‘You were the first one
to bring it up. And you were so right. I was angry, I admit it, but when I finally thought about it, and talked about it again with Kerry, I realised what I had to do. So I met up with
her.’
    ‘And?’ I asked excitedly.
    ‘Well, it was the wedding that made the difference. I couldn’t not invite her – weddings are a time to be with family. So I got in touch and gave her a chance to tell me
everything. And you know, I just feel so bad. I didn’t realise how tough things were. She and my father met and fell in love and got married within the space of about six weeks – it was
all so rushed, and they obviously weren’t meant to be together.’
    And aren’t you repeating their mistake by marrying Kerry so fast? I mused, but Anthony seemed oblivious to the comparison.
    ‘And I realised too that the reason she had an affair and left was because she couldn’t cope with Dad’s infidelities. Apparently in India he was always chasing young girls, and
it broke her heart.’ I didn’t realise she’d got pregnant either; I knew I had a half-brother but I never wanted to meet him. Now I think I might finally be ready – well,
after the wedding.’
    ‘Oh God,’ I said uncomfortably. ‘Well, I guess she reached a point where she couldn’t stand it any more.’
    ‘I know. She also said that when she left, she wrote me a letter explaining things, but I never got it. I don’t think a letter makes everything all right – I still find it hard
that she left me – but I also realise my dad didn’t help. He blocked her seeing me when we first moved to America by not even telling her where we were. By the time I’d finished
speaking to her, I actually felt more mad with Dad than with her. I went and had a huge row with him and I was ready to stop speaking to him. And then I just thought – fuck it. The past is
past. If I carry on hating my parents like this, what good does it do them or me or anyone? They’re human, and they made a mess of things, but at least I know that in marrying Kerry I’m
not going to be like them. I’m not going to mess up.’
    ‘Oh, Anthony,’ I said, deeply moved. I was slightly tipsy now and I lay down on the bed next to him. It felt intimate and friendly.
    ‘I think I might ruin this dress before we even get to the ceremony,’ I said ruefully.
    ‘It’s a nice dress,’ said Anthony, taking a swig of gin.
    ‘No it’s not.’ I giggled, and Anthony giggled