A Spot Of Bother

112

Jean found Ray in the marquee where he was supervising some last-minute rearrangements to the seating plan (one of their friends had tripped and broken his front teeth on a basin that morning).

“Ray?” she asked.

“What can I do you for?”

“I’m sorry to trouble you,” said Jean, “but I don’t know who else I can ask.”

“Go on,” said Ray.

“It’s George. I’m worried about him. He spoke to me about it this morning. He really didn’t seem himself.”

“I know,” said Ray.

“You know?”

“Jamie said he was off-color yesterday. Asked me to keep an eye on him.”

“He didn’t say anything to me.”

“Probably didn’t want to worry you,” said Ray. “Anyway, Jamie had a word with George this morning. Just to check.”

She could feel the relief spread through her body. “That’s very good of you.”

“Jamie’s the one you should thank.”

“You’re right,” said Jean. “I’ll do that.”

She got her opportunity several minutes later when she bumped into Jamie in the hallway as he emerged from the downstairs loo.

“You’re welcome,” said Jamie.

He seemed rather distracted.