‘You won’t be saying that after the six desserts you’ve got coming your way.’
‘Six!’ he cried, dropping one of the forks on the floor. ‘Surely there aren’t six?’
‘There are indeed. It’s the same every year. Treacle tart, apple crumble, chocolate cake, pavlova, trifle and profiteroles.’ She opened the oven door and pulled out two of the aforementioned puddings. ‘All of my dad’s favourites.’
‘Wow. I mean, good job your dad had amazing taste in desserts, but seriously? How are we supposed to get through all of them?’ he asked, the look of fear growing heavier on his face.
‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Here, take these. I’ll get the rest.’
Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh as she pulled a gigantic pavlova, trifle and mountain of profiteroles out of the fridge and placed them on the table; Fin looked as though he were close to tears at the sight of them.
‘Thank you, darling.’ Angela placed her cool hand on Eleanor’s cheek affectionately. ‘Now, Fin, how is that photography project of yours going?’
‘It’s good actually. Eleanor and I are going to be shooting a lady called Heidi this week. I was thinking Saturday if that works for you, Elles?’
‘Sure,’ she replied casually. ‘Shit, wait, no!’ she swore, dropping the apple crumble on to the table with a loud thud.
‘Eleanor! Language. What kind of a lady uses such profanity?’ her mother chided. ‘And mind my crumble, please.’
‘Sorry. Eurgh, I totally forgot.’ She rubbed her face in frustration.
‘What?’ Freya asked.
‘I’ve got to go to Laura’s wedding on Saturday and I need to find a plus one. I forgot to tell her that Oliver and I split up.’ She added the last bit quietly.
‘Forgot?’ Angela queried. ‘Or conveniently held off telling her in the hope you would be reunited?’
‘No,’ she snapped back in offence. ‘I genuinely forgot.’
‘Good.’ Her mother nodded in satisfaction. ‘Because as much as I am desperate to see you wed and content, he wasn’t right for you.’
‘Thank you for that,’ Eleanor mumbled through gritted teeth.
‘And anyway, how on earth did you forget such a crucial piece of information?’ her mum continued.
‘I had a lot of things going on, OK?’ Her voice was rising. ‘Don’t you think I haven’t beaten myself up over it already? I don’t need you joining in too.’
Angela bristled slightly and grabbed Fin’s plate. ‘No wonder you can’t find a plus one with an attitude like that,’ she remarked, loading his plate with spoonfuls of trifle.
‘Are you free, Frey?’ Eleanor begged, ignoring her mother’s slight. ‘Please tell me you’re free?’
‘This Saturday?’ Freya winced. ‘I’m sorry. You know I would, but Sam …’ She wrung her hands anxiously. ‘Sam has something planned for our anniversary. I think he’s taking me away for the weekend.’
‘Isn’t thatsweetof him, darling! Goodness, what a gentleman.’ Angela beamed. ‘Doesn’t Sam have any single friends he could loan out to Eleanor for the night?’
‘Absolutely not!’ both sisters said in unison.
‘Is Sal not around?’ Fin suggested.
‘Nope. She can’t come.’
‘What about Be—’ But before Fin could finish, Eleanor had kicked him hard under the table.
‘Well, what a shame, dear. It looks like you’ll have to go by yourself. Luckily you had Kate’s wedding as a practice run!’ Angela patted Eleanor’s arm patronizingly. ‘Now, Frey, tell me … where do you think Sam is whisking you off to?’
‘I’ll come.’
Eleanor raised her head sharply.
