“Then the nurse, the one who drove the van. She said some of the older residents, that’s what she called them, older. I’m not calling them names. She said some were too feeble—that’s what she called them, feeble. They need more care. But she said ten, maybe twelve who are healthy and strong and they can move here with minimal care. And that’s when the old people said they can pay whatever they pay now to the old people home.”
My hands still on top of the steamer.
This is all so…so shocking. And seems to be coming together far too quickly to be a coincidence.
Was that why Raff flew in from Mauritania? Was it what Evan emailed him about? It would explain why he was so cagey when I asked him.
And why he was in such a rush to go speak to Evan.
The I realise the vegetables are still raw and quickly turn on the hob.
“Raff is going to be the manager of the new old people—retirement home here,” Ricky continues. “He said if they paid The Glyn can be divided to pay a full-time nurse and housekeeping. But they would use the money from the fifty thousand to decorate the rooms and he said he will only do it if you change—”
“Ricky!” The kitchen door opens and Meredith comes in. “Stop dipping your finger on the food.”
“I wasn’t.” He jumps away from the covered lamb roast.
“Out.” She snaps and he leaves.
I drain the carrots and swede and start to mash them.
My mind is both numb and alive with questions. But we have so much to finish.
“How long for the roasties?” Meredith checks her phone. “I think they should be ready.
“Don’t go near the oven,” I say. “Let me check.”
“Thanks for the scarf, it worked.” She looks at me with big uncertain eyes.
“You look lovely.” And it’s true. She looks lovely with the scarf twisted elegantly around the hairline.
“It goes with the dress” She touches the green and red pattern on her sequined dress. “And my hair looks okay like that with the curls just at the back. I might wear it like this more often.” She indicates her hidden fringe. “Not like I have a choice.”
“You can keep the scarf if you like it.” I smile at her.
“What are you going to wear.”
“Don’t worry, we don’t have time. Can you take the drinks over to put on the side table?”
After that we don’t really have a minute between plating everything and taking the food over.
Ten minutes later, we carry the large platters with the roast chickens, goose and lamb. I walk into the orangery just asTidings of Comfort and Joyis playing on the speakers.
A moment later that’s drowned out by raucous applause, loud cheers and wolf whistles.
They’re all there, everyone sat around the horseshoe table, everyone looking glamourous and happy. It makes me very conscious of my jeans and non-too clean apron. My eyes go to Raff who looks incredible in a black ribbed jumper that moulds his sexy chest and makes me wish I’d been in a slinky silk dress, too.
“Sorry I forgot to change,” I say apologetically.
“No, she didn’t,” Meredith says. “It’s my fault. I had to change and she was left on her own to do everything.”
“You did all this alone?” Haneen, sitting between both kids, asks.
A stupid grin is fighting my face trying to show through despite my trying not to look too proud.
“Why didn’t you call me to help” she asks.
“I managed.”
