Free Empire of Gold by Andy McDermott Page A

the man in question, extending a hand. She shook it. ‘Great to meet such a big celebrity.’

    ‘I wouldn’t call myself that,’ she replied, extricating herself from his firm grip.

    ‘But you’re certainly famous. I don’t think anyone who saw the opening of the Sphinx on TV last year will forget you!’

    Her cheeks prickled at the reminder of her unplanned global television appearance. ‘It’s an unfortunate by-product of the job.’

    Larry smiled. ‘You’re being too modest.’ He turned to Nan. ‘So, how are you, Catherine?’

    While he and Nan spoke, Eddie none too gently ushered Elizabeth into a corner. ‘Fucking hell, Lizzie!’ he hissed. ‘Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?’

    ‘Because if I had, you would have found some excuse to avoid him,’ she replied in an icy whisper.

    ‘Yeah, because I don’t want anything to bloody do with him!’

    ‘I told you in New York last year that it was time you tried to mend some bridges. And when you asked me for his phone number, I thought you were going to do that – but since it’s now eight months later and nothing’s happened, I decided to move things along.’

    Eddie had asked for the telephone number, after witnessing another estranged father and son reconciling, but in the end his deep-rooted resentments had prevented him from making the call. ‘You should have minded your own fucking business.’

    ‘And you should grow up,’ she snapped. ‘Like you said, it’s been over twenty years since you last saw each other. Dad’s changed; it’s time you did too.’

    ‘Only thing that’s changed about him is that he’s got less hair and more gut.’

    ‘The same could be said about you. For God’s sake, Eddie, the least you can do is be civil. For Nan’s sake, if nothing else.’

    He couldn’t offer a counter to that. Fuming, he turned away from his sister, to see Larry engaged in conversation with Nina once more. He quickly returned to them, interposing himself to give his father an overt cold shoulder.

    But it was too late. ‘Larry’s invited us for dinner tonight,’ said Nina, narrowing her eyes in disapproval of his unsubtle blocking manoeuvre.

    ‘Yeah? Shame we can’t make it.’

    ‘I’ve accepted.’

    His face darkened. ‘Oh, you have, have you?’

    ‘Yes, I have. For both of us.’ She leaned round him to address Larry. ‘It’ll be a pleasure.’

    Larry smiled. ‘I’ll tell my wife to make something special. Look forward to seeing you. Both.’ He said goodbye to his other family members, apologising for having to return to work, then with a wave and a jingle of his expensive gold wristwatch he departed.

    ‘Ooh, that was an unexpected pleasure,’ said Nan. ‘Wasn’t it, Edward?’

    ‘Yeah, it was unexpected,’ he replied through his teeth.

    A doctor entered and went to Nan’s bedside. She had recovered enough to be discharged, he said; she would need to continue oxygen therapy for several days, but the severe breathing difficulty that had caused her hospitalisation had been eased and her blood pressure lowered. Eddie offered to help, but Elizabeth insisted that she and Holly could handle it, and that he and Nina should check into their hotel before meeting them at Elizabeth’s house. ‘That way,’ Elizabeth added, ‘you’ll have plenty of time to get ready before going to Dad’s tonight.’

    ‘I can’t wait,’ Eddie growled.

    A few minutes later, he was less restrained. ‘For fuck’s sake, Nina!’ he barked as they cleared the hospital doors. ‘Why did you say yes to dinner? Lizzie sticking her bloody nose in I expect, but you? You’re my wife, you’re supposed to be on my side!’

    ‘Yes, I’m your wife,’ Nina shot back, ‘and hey, guess what that means? Larry’s my father-in-law! When he invites me to dinner, I can hardly flip the bird in his face. You’re the one who’s got problems with him, not me – I just met the man. I’m not going to be rude to him for no