Judith had been waiting in the restaurant about ten minutes when Tommy arrived. He was dressed immaculately in a finely cut grey suit; a wool and cashmere blend she presumed. Her brother was not as strikingly good looking as he had once been but he had morphed into an elegance and maturity that she knew women found almost irresistible.
"Tommy, you look splendid," she said lightly as he came over to her table.
He kissed her briefly and greeted her just as eagerly, "Judith, it's great to see my favourite sister. Thank you for coming."
"I am your only sister, Tommy."
He shrugged and grinned at her. Judith knew instantly something was different. Tommy was much lee tense and, dare she think maybe even happy. He had been miserable for the last few years. She noticed it first when his marriage to Helen was difficult and it worsened when she lost the baby in such tragic circumstances and had left him. Even when they had started getting back together he never seemed content. When Helen was shot down in front of him Tommy had spiralled into a miasma of despair. This is a good sign; he might be starting to live again. She wondered idly if there was a woman involved.
"So, you seem cheerful. What gives?"
"Nothing really, I have had a good few days. Barbara and I solved the theatre murder case on Thursday. And I have slept a lot better in the last few day – no nightmares."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it Tommy." His tone had suggested no further explanations would be forthcoming so she changed tack, "Mother sends her love and wants to know when you are coming down to see her?"
"I have some time off next weekend and I was thinking we could head down there. I was going to ask her later and then ring Mother. I'm sure she won't mind."
Judith was a little confused. Who wouldn't mind? Mother or 'her' and who was 'her'? He was being vague but it did not seem deliberate, more distracted as if he had something else on his mind. She wasn't sure whether to ask who or not. It did not seem like a naughty schoolboy guessing game. She was sure it would come out eventually. "Mother will be delighted."
"I've asked Barbara to come this afternoon."
"Wonderful, I like Barbara. She was so good to you after, well you know, when you weren't so well. She used to ring Mother almost every day when you wouldn't speak to us. She wanted to make sure we didn't worry any more than we needed to."
"Oh, I didn't know that. I didn't realise you had all grown so close!" Tommy was momentarily angry that everyone had conspired beyond his back.
"She was very protective of you, you know – like a polar bear protecting her cub. I think she knew when you wanted us kept away and when you didn't. Don't be angry at her."
"No, sorry." Tommy was not really angry he realised, more embarrassed. He knew Barbara had been the only one he had wanted near him in those dark days; the only person he really could be himself around. Even then he had abused her, pushed her away and then rung up desperately needing her to save him from his demons. "I'm not angry with anyone except myself."
The waiter came and took their order and over lunch they talked about the estate and other family business but his conversation kept returning to Barbara in some way. Judith did not think this was overly unusual. He had talked about her a lot over the years since they had started working together. At times she seemed to infuriate him; at other times Judith would swear he was in love with Barbara. Today she was definitely in favour. She suspected Barbara was to be their visitor next weekend.
At about one thirty Tommy and Judith left the restaurant. He needed to pick up Barbara and he wanted to be slightly early so he could ask her down to Howenstowe next weekend.
"I'll see you there then." Judith said as she entered the cab. "Who will I tell Mother to expect next weekend then?"
Tommy was puzzled. Who did Judith think it would be? "Barbara of course, we could do with some time away from London."
"Ok, see you in an hour Tommy." She waved as the cab pulled away.