‘See, I knew you knew all about dogs.’ Lola was sycophantic, trying to get round me.
‘Collierdog?’ Dean started laughing. ‘Right, we can call him Scargill then.’
‘We’re calling him nothing because he’s not staying. And you can’t call a dog Scargill. He’ll not only be rounding us up all the time and herding us where we don’t want to go, he’ll be calling us out on strike every two minutes.’
‘I think she’s coming round to the idea, Lola.’ Dean grinned, reaching for his jacket.
‘Are you taking it back?’ I folded my arms, watching as Dean admired his good looks in the mirror above the dresser.
‘You’renottaking it back?’ Lola pleaded. ‘Dad?’
‘Come on, Jessie, let him stay. See how he goes. Look.’ Dean was at his most persuasive. ‘He’s just a couple of years old and really well behaved. The bloke who owned him has moved his girlfriend in. She’s totally allergic and says it’s either her or the dog.’
‘Well, I’d have chosen the dog,’ Lola said stoutly, her fingers rubbing the dog’s speckled tummy until he was almost moaning in delight.
‘I’m off down The Green Dragon: it’s Saturday lunchtime, a couple of glasses of wine’ –what happened todinnertimeand a couple of pints of Tetley’s?– ‘and then I’m off for a round of golf with some bloke who brought his Bentley into the garage the other day.’
‘Well, take this creature with you,’ I ordered. ‘He’s not staying, Dean. I don’t want a damned dog. D’you not think I’ve enough on with handing over the reins at Hudson House as well as…’
‘He’s fine,’ Dean soothed, kissing me on the cheek, eager to be off. ‘See how he goes; how he settles in…’ He broke off as Mum appeared in the kitchen. ‘Right, I’m definitely off now,’ he added. ‘What’s up, Lisa? Summat happened?’
‘Do I need something to happen, Dean, in order to pop round to see my daughter and only grandchild?’ While her words might not be the most welcoming, Mum, I could see, was fizzing, a huge smile on her beautiful face. Over three months with Kamran Sattar and she really was a changed woman from the one who’d sat around waiting for our dad, Jayden, to put in an appearance. As well as from the woman who’d spent almost as long dreading another seizure and consequent hospitalisation when the porphyria, which had first struck in her early thirties, descended once more.
Mum was watching Dean running a hand through his thick black hair and I knew exactly what she was thinking: if only I could have reciprocated the love Dr Matt Spencer, Mum’s consultant, had felt for, and offered, me. Instead of my taking back this self-important booby of a husband of mine.
‘Right,’ Mum said, noticing Scargill for the first time at Lola’s feet. ‘What on earth is that?’
‘A dog, Mum. I believe it’s what’s known in common parlance as a dog. And it’s not staying.’
‘Oh, but it’s adorable.’ Mum bent down to Lola and the dog, fondling the creature’s silky ears. ‘Lola’s always wanted a dog, Jess. Mind you, has he had all his jabs and whatever?’ She deigned to look across at Dean, who raised an eyebrow but nodded confirmation at us. ‘It’s not just a simple matter of bringing a dog home, you know.’
‘It’ll fight with Roger,’ I said, glaring at Mum.
‘You haven’t still got that bloody house rabbit?’ Dean gave a bark of laughter. ‘Ready for a pie by now, I’d have thought?’
‘Right,’ Mum said again, standing while deliberately turning her back on Dean. ‘I’m actually here with an invitation.’
‘To a rabbit pie supper?’ Dean guffawed, and I knew: the man had to go.
‘It’s so lovely having Dad back home,’ Lola was telling Mum. ‘I never want him to go again. He brings me presents…’
‘And unwanted livestock?’ Mum glanced across at me. ‘So,’ she went on, ‘Kamran has suggested both families get together; get to know each other.’
‘Get together?’ I stared. ‘Why?’
‘Great idea.’ Dean whistled. ‘Are the Sattars paying then? I’m up for that. Where we going?’
‘I’m not sure the invitation included you.’ Mum sniffed, turning away from Dean once more. She really couldn’t abide him, I knew.
‘Granny!’ Lola pleaded, and I threw Mum a warning glance. Leaving him out of family invitations wasn’t going to go down well with Lola.
‘When, Mum?’ A couple of weeks on a strict diet and I might just be able to get into my favourite dress if we were going somewhere upmarket.
‘This evening.’ Mum grinned. ‘Look, I know it’s?—’
‘What!’ I shook my head. ‘Kamran’ll never find a table anywhere for all of us at such short notice.’
‘No, no, at hishouse. He’s cooking. Along with Fabian.’
