Page 20 of Four of Hearts

‘Yes,’ said Jadyn.

Harry knew he had no choice but to go along with what was planned. So, with a deep breath, he did his best to accept it, then immediately needed something clarifying.

‘There’s not entertainment booked, is there? I’m not going to have to sit through something horrendous like a close-up magician, or anything like that? And if there’s even the suggestion of karaoke, we’ll all be having words.’

Everyone laughed.

‘No,’ said Jadyn. ‘You’re fine. It’s fancy dress, though, but don’t worry, we’ve sorted you an outfit.’

Harry was on his feet. Had he really just heard Jadyn say that?

‘Fancy dress?’ He glared at each of them, doing his best to turn them into ash with the heat of his stare. ‘I don’t do fancy dress! What the hell were you thinking? And for that matter, what the hell was Ben thinking?’

‘Not Ben, not any of us, actually,’ said Liz. ‘Best you take it up with Grace.’

Harry really hadn’t been expecting to hear that.

‘What? Why?’

‘It was her idea.’

A couple of hours later, and now back at the house, Harry was standing in the kitchen and doing his level best to be cross, while Grace, who had been laughing for the last ten minutes or so, wiped tears from her eyes.

‘I’m not doing it,’ he said. ‘I’m not. And that’s a fact. I’m not putting on some ridiculous clothes and pretending that’s what fun is. Because it isn’t.’

‘Yes, it is, and yes you are, and you know it,’ Grace replied. ‘You’re a stubborn arse, Harry, we all know that, but you’re not a killjoy. Ben’s really excited. He’s made up to be sharing all of this with you.’

Harry shook his head, still staggered by what was happening around him without him knowing anything about it.

‘But what were you thinking? Fancy dress? Me? This face of mine is fancy dress enough, isn’t it?’

‘Did they not tell you what the theme is, then?’

‘I didn’t give them a chance.’

‘Well, your outfit is upstairs,’ Grace said. ‘Spare room.’

Harry wasn’t sure that he wanted to know what it was.

‘I’ll look later,’ he said.

‘No, you’ll look now. We’re doing fancy dress, too, by the way.’

‘You are?’

‘Of course. Why do you think I suggested it? Couldn’t have us going out and having all the fun, could I? Our theme is Pride and Prejudice.’

‘There’s a theme?’ Harry was horrified, mostly because he was now mildly terrified as to what theme Ben and the rest had come up with for what they were all going to be wearing. ‘And I’m supposed to know what that is, am I, a Pride and Prejudice theme?’

‘The book, Harry,’ Grace sighed, eyes rolling just enough to let him know she was losing patience. ‘And numerous films. So, lots of Regency era stuff. Tight waists, bodices, long flowing skirts.’

Harry rather liked the sound of Grace dressing like that. He stood up.

Well, if you can’t beat them...

‘Spare room, right?’

‘Spare room,’ nodded Grace. ‘See you in five.’