“She did?” Zoe felt herself blush, and she pretended to focus on the food so she wouldn’t have to meet Delia’s eyes.
“Oh, yes. She told me you were a great chef and that your mother is Chinese and your father Spanish and that you moved back here from Hong Kong a little while ago.” Delia shot her a sweet smile. “And that you’re gay and that you two have some history together and—”
“Mum, you’re holding up the line.” To Zoe’s relief, Marcy appeared next to her mother and ushered her to move over. “And are you talking about me?”
“Goodness, no. Why would I do that?” Delia shot Zoe a wink, and Zoe could tell Marcy was uncomfortable with the situation.
“I don’t know, Mum. Maybe because you’re too nosey for your own good?” Marcy pointed in the direction of the clubhouse. “I think Abby needs help; it’s busy in there.”
“All right, cranky pants.” Delia gave Zoe a wave and moved away. “It was nice to meet you, Zoe. Let’s talk more later.”
From the corner of her eye, Zoe noticed Marcy was waiting by her stand, keeping her company until the queue died down. “Here, this is for you,” she said handing her a plate with a selection of dumplings when there was no one left to serve.
“Mmm…” Marcy sampled one of them and gave Zoe a nod of approval as she moved behind the stand. “These are amazing.” She ate another one before she continued. “Sorry my Mum was being so nosey. She’s the worst.”
“I thought she was lovely. It’s clear she adores you.” Zoe rested a hand on her hip and regarded Marcy. “You seemed highly uncomfortable with me talking to her. Why is that?”
“I wasn’t uncomfortable. She’s just…” Marcy hesitated. “Never mind.” She put her plate down and gestured to the baskets. “Can I have another ten portions, please?”
“Wow, you have quite an appetite.”
Marcy shook her head and laughed. “Although I could easily eat ten portions of these, they’re actually for my friends, over there.” She pointed to a nearby picnic table with what Zoe assumed to be park residents. She recognised Marcy’s neighbour, who waved and smiled at her. When she waved back, another nine hands shot up and two women on mobility scooters beeped their horns, which made her laugh out loud. One scooter was lavishly decorated with garlands, stuffed animals and fairy lights, and two Maltese dogs were in the front basket, each with colourful ribbons in their little ponytails. The other scooter had an English flag attached to the mirror and a fold-out side table filled with coffee cups, a flask and a plate of cake. One of the men had taken off his T-shirt, and his big belly was resting on his knees while he smoked a cigarette. “Okay, ten portions coming up,” she said, amused by the colourful party. “Is it just my imagination or are they abnormally interested in me?”
“It’s just your imagination,” Marcy said, but Zoe had a feeling she was lying. “They always do that. They’re a very welcoming bunch.” She took the first plate and held the next one out for Zoe to fill, then grimaced when someone shouted, “Marcy, ask your girl to make it extra spicy, will you?”
“Your girl?” Zoe asked, raising a brow.
“Never mind them; they’re just messing with me.” Marcy murmured a curse, took the other plate and turned. “I’ll be right back for the rest,” she said, her cheeks bright red.
39
“All sold out.” Zoe packed up the final box and rubbed her hands together. “If I’d known the dumplings would be so popular, I would have made more.” She checked her phone. “It’s not even four pm.”
“Well done,” Marcy said, lifting the box and heading towards the car park. “It was more than enough; they’re packing up inside too; there’s not much left.” She turned to Zoe. “I can’t believe you made four-hundred euros for the dog shelter.”
“I actually think it’s more than that,” Zoe said with a smirk. “I never counted the change and there was a lot of it, so let me know how much it came to in the end.”
“I will. Mum’s over the moon. Three-thousand euros will keep the shelter running for another six months, and five dogs were adopted.”
“That’s fantastic news. I’m glad it was a success.” Zoe sighed with contentment. “I couldn’t stop looking at that funny little mongrel with the floppy ears. I was sorely tempted to adopt him, but being a chef and all… well, it’s not going to work for me. I just wouldn’t have time for a dog.”
“Me neither, but I have my favourites, for sure. I accompany my mum on walks with them sometimes and it’s hard not to act on impulse on days like that.”
“Your mum seems really nice.”
“Yeah, but as I said, she does have the habit of sticking her nose in other people’s business, especially mine.” Marcy wiped her forehead, feeling sweaty and tired from all the physical work in the morning and the socialising during the afternoon. “God, I could really do with a cold beer.”
“Me too. I haven’t stopped since I set up.”
“Why don’t you come back to my caravan for a beer in the garden?” Marcy asked. “Celebrate my last day here with me?”
“That would be breaking the rules.” Zoe opened the boot and loaded her gear into the car. “But it’s still light and you already broke rule number one this morning, so I suppose one beer wouldn’t hurt.”
“Great.” Marcy felt herself smile widely and wondered if she looked goofy. She just couldn’t help it; Zoe’s presence made her happier than anything. “What time do you have to take the car back? Do you need to pick your father up from work?”
“No, he’ll walk back. They only use the car for grocery shopping or trips to my Spanish grandparents, so it’s usually free for me to use.” Zoe slammed the boot shut. “There. No more work today.”
“We’ll toast to that.” Marcy sincerely hoped her mother wouldn’t see her as she and Zoe walked back to her caravan. She’d been subjected to enough gossip for today, and as much as she’d miss her fellow park home owners, she was ready to leave tomorrow, especially if Maevis spotted Zoe in her garden again. “So, I thought about what you said the other night,” she started carefully. “And I totally understand where you’re coming from, but it bothers me that you think you’d be my test bunny.”
