‘Past?’ Maddie offered blowing a kiss at their mother.
‘Well, yes.’ Their mother looked at Cathy. ‘Not that I’d change anything about it you understand.’
‘No, of course not.’
‘I’m a retired dentist,’ their father said, Brodie suspected to divert attention away from their angry mother. ‘And you know that Brodie’s a vet. My father was a dentist too, but retired now of course.’
‘I think she gets the message.’ Maddie laughed. ‘Honestly, I wish I hadn’t said anything now.’
‘So do I,’ their mother said pointedly.
‘This food is delicious.’ Brodie indicated his almost clean plate. He grinned at Cathy. ‘I’m sure you can’t wait until you’re invited to join us for another meal.’
Cathy laughed. ‘I’ve had a wonderful time, and,’ she added turning to their mother, ‘Maddie told me you were an excellent cook, Mrs Murray, and she wasn’t kidding. Thank you again for inviting me.’
Clever woman, Brodie thought, seeing his mother’s expression lighten up immediately at the compliment. ‘You’re very welcome, Cathy. If only my daughter’s manners matched yours.’
‘Is there any pudding, Jane?’
Another diversion from their father, Brodie noted, eating the last mouthful of his meal. Poor Dad has probably spent most of hismarried life finding ways to divert their mother’s attention from things that might upset or offend her.
Brodie helped Maddie with the washing up before joining the others for coffee.
‘That was delicious, Mum,’ Maddie said. ‘I know, why don’t we all go to the pub for a quick drink?’
‘I won’t, thank you,’ Jane said. ‘But you four go.’
‘I’ll stay here,’ their father said pretending to yawn.
‘I’m tired too,’ Brodie said looking forward to an early night.
‘No chance.’ Maddie stood and collected Brodie and Cathy’s empty coffee cups. ‘You two are coming with me. We only have to have one, but it’ll be fun and a perfect way to spend the rest of our evening.’
He wasn’t sure he wanted to go but not wishing to have another argument with his sister, especially when the evening had been going so well, he agreed. ‘Just the one though.’
20
LETTIE
Lettie was late but not by too much. One of the hedge cutters had broken down on the farm and her father had spent a long time showing her how to fix it, concerned she might not remember when it happened again. He had then explained about the farm workers who lived in accommodation on her uncle’s farm.
‘Remember, if you have any issues with staff just speak to Uncle Leonard. He’ll make sure you have enough people each day to cover any harvesting or packing, but as we’ve pretty much finished with the potato season for now, things should be a lot quieter for you while I’m away.’
Lettie wasn’t sure how happy she was about this. ‘How am I supposed to prove myself then, if most of the work has been done?’
He laughed. ‘Don’t worry, there’s plenty with the livestock and planting to keep you on your toes until I’m back and there’ll be fruit to harvest around the time I’m due back here.’
Satisfied with this information, Lettie went to help her mother who was struggling to make final choices between three evening dresses so that she could finish her packing.
Finally, showered and dressed in jeans and a smarter T-shirt,Lettie walked into the pub. She smiled a hello to the landlord before scanning the room and seeing Joe sitting at a table, his hand raised to indicate where he was.
She gave a nod and passing two girls she didn’t know on the nearest table, sat down. ‘Sorry I’ve kept you waiting.’
‘It’s fine. There’s so much going on in here that I’m happy to people-watch.’
She spotted one of the girls with a neat, dark bob giving Joe the occasional look and wasn’t surprised. He was hot, although in a different way to Brodie. Where Joe was dark-haired with a mischievous glint in his eyes, giving a sense that he might do something unexpected any moment, Brodie’s hair had a sun-kissed lightness about it. He was muscular in a sporty way and had a calmer vibe about him, giving the impression that you could trust him with anything.
Pushing the thought aside, she looked at Joe and saw he was amused about something. ‘What is it?’
