After dessert, the structure of the evening dissolved, and everybody dispersed. Tristram chose to dry the dishes with his father.
“You’re an embarrassment, Dad.” Tristram muttered darkly.
“Oh, stop taking yourself so seriously, Tris.” Russell scoffed. “Regina could see that I was stirring you up. You and Saffi. God, you should have seen the looks of contempt that Saffi was giving me! And the sigh…she’s so funny when she gives me the sigh… and the glare.”
andsighglare“It’s not funny, Dad. Winking at me over the table? Saying ‘oh, you smooth bastard’ whenever I said anything to her? It was just plain embarrassing. Mum gave you plenty of hints, but you deliberately ignored them.”
“It was just a bit of fun. Trust me, Regina was in on the joke. She’s a good kid, you know? I’ve always liked
