‘It was quite funny though,’ said Alexandra, ‘watching you holding the bowl as if it might explode at any moment.’
‘Now it’s funny,’ Lizzie conceded. ‘It wasn’t at the time – for me that is. It was obviously hilarious for you lot!’
Meg put down the birch twigs, took a teaspoon and tasted the sauce. ‘Oh, that’s really delicious, though I say it myself.’
Lizzie reached over and picked up the spoon. Using the other end she took a sample. ‘Thatisdelicious! You’ll be fine if Madame asks you to make it now. We’ll have to have poached eggs or something so we can try it.’
Meg frowned. ‘To be honest, making the sauce is far easier than tidy poached eggs. You’re good at them, Alexandra.’
‘Practice,’ said Alexandra. ‘All that cooking in the nursery. I watched my nannies do it and learnt how not to.’
‘Can I just ask,’ said Lizzie. ‘Why are you taking off all the glue you’ve just put on to that bit of cherub? Was it the wrong kind?’
Alexandra shook her head. ‘No. But if you scrape off as much as you can you don’t get the glue oozing out.’
‘Lexi’s ability to scrape off all the glue is the key to her success as an antique dealer,’ said David. ‘Proud of her.’
‘How are you getting on with your list, Lizzie?’ asked Meg, spooning her sauce into a bowl.
‘It’s a bit of a nightmare to be honest. I’m not sure of the numbers.’ Lizzie chewed her pen. It didn’t help.
‘Why not? I thought it was all fairly straightforward,’ said Alexandra. ‘It’s us three, plus men for us. Then Hugo and Electra, Vanessa and Ted!’
‘It may be straightforward in theory, but I don’t know any boys who I could have as a partner and Vanessa has split up with Ted. I’m not sure if she’s bringing someone else, or if we have to find her someone.’
‘How annoying!’ Alexandra applied a cherub arm to a cherub and held it firmly. ‘Can’t you ask her?’
‘I have, a couple of times, but I never get the same answer twice,’ said Lizzie. ‘And it still leaves me partnerless. David, I don’t suppose …?’
‘No, Lizzie!’ said David. ‘Apart from the fact that I bat for the other team, the age gap would look ridiculous.’
‘I didn’t actually mean—’ Lizzie began.
‘I know a nice boy,’ Meg said. ‘He’s a music student and gets jobs as a waiter because he’s got a dinner jacket and patent-leather shoes.’
‘He sounds perfect. Do you think he’d like to come?’
‘I should think so. Free food. Always attractive,’ said Meg.
‘Have you got someone nice for yourself?’ said Lizzie. ‘I don’t want you giving away a lovely boy and leaving you short.’
David shook his head, laughing. ‘You’re talking about real-life people here, people, not packets of tea!’
‘We’re just getting the numbers right, David,’ said Alexandra. ‘Everyone will just mix in once they’re here.’
‘I’ve got a boy I work with sometimes for me,’ said Meg. ‘He’s fun and he likes free food too.’
‘But it will show if Vanessa hasn’t got a partner,’ said Lizzie. ‘Won’t it? She’s quite upset about Ted and I don’t want her unhappy.’
‘Ask her again tomorrow,’ suggested Meg. ‘And if she’s vague, I’ll find her someone.’
‘If not, we’ll just put an ad in the paper for spares,’ said Alexandra. ‘Wanted: several presentable young men for a party. Must be hungry.’ She picked up her cherub and looked at him, satisfied. ‘You’ll do!’
‘What? For Vanessa?’ said Lizzie. ‘A cherub? Talk about age gaps!’ She shot David a look, pretending to be resentful.
‘No, for the market,’ said Alexandra calmly. ‘For the party, I’m inviting a boy I knew from when I was really little. He wore shorts, white socks and shoes with buttons. I have kept up with him, and he looks normal now.’
‘I expect you looked normal then, for the times,’ said Lizzie. ‘I bet you had a coat with a velvet collar and a velvet beret to match.’ She threw down her pen. ‘OK. I’ll ask Vanessa one more time if she’s bringing someone, and if she’s at all doubtful, I’ll tell her we’ll ask someone for her.’
