‘What about cheese?’ said Hattie when everyone had finished. ‘I’d have made a pudding if I’d known you were coming, Luke.’
‘Hattie is the only person I know who still makes proper Bird’s Custard,’ Luke said to Xander. ‘She’s a wonderful cook. You’ve struck lucky living with her.’
Hattie laughed. ‘Xander isn’t here for my cooking – thank goodness – but because he can walk into town to college from here.’
‘It’s quite far. Mum used to drive me to school.’
‘I’ll drive you if I can. Or pick you up, but it’s better if you’re independent. You might like to hang out with your friends after college.’
‘I haven’t got any friends,’ said Xander.
‘Frank and Fearless seem to like you,’ said Luke, indicating the dogs who had their heads on Xander’s knees, one each side.
‘I’ve never been around dogs before. Mum doesn’t like them. She says they’re messy.’
‘They are,’ said Luke. ‘If I didn’t have them my house would be immaculate.’
‘If you overlook all the dust and grime you bring back home with you every day,’ said Hattie.
‘I’m a builder. That’s what happens.’
‘What sort of things do you build?’ asked Xander.
‘I restore old houses mostly,’ said Luke. ‘I’m what’s known as a heritage builder because I use all the old techniques.’
‘He’s a posh builder, Xander,’ said Hattie. ‘It means he has brie and cranberry in his sandwiches instead of cheese and pickle.’
Luke laughed. ‘True. Maybe I should add that nugget to my website. It might encourage a better class of client.’
‘You’ve got more work than you can handle as it is,’ said Hattie.
‘Also true.’ Luke got up. ‘Anyway, I must be off. So no cheese for me now, but thank you very much for supper.’
‘It was a pleasure and I always love seeing my best boys.’ She caressed both dogs behind their ears.
‘I think I might be jealous,’ Luke muttered. But before Hattie could read anything into this he had whistled and the two dogs were following him out to the car.
‘Are yousureLuke isn’t your boyfriend?’ asked Xander a couple of minutes later.
‘No!’ Hattie couldn’t emphasise this enough. ‘He’s my friend! Can you pass me those bowls?’
‘Does that really mean he can’t be your boyfriend, ever?’
‘I’m afraid so.’ She finished stacking the bowls in the dishwasher. ‘Glasses?’
‘I still don’t understand why.’ Xander’s expression was all innocence.
They went on clearing away the things in silence. ‘The thing is,’ said Hattie when it was all done. ‘Friends are so special, especially as an adult. It’s just not worth the risk.’
Chapter Five
When Xander had forty-five minutes to get to college, Hattie braved his room, armed with tea and toast. ‘Xander!’ she said to the shape lying in the bed. ‘I’ll take you to college but you have to be ready to leave in fifteen minutes. After that and you’ll have to walk. Here’s your breakfast.’
Her sister hadn’t warned her Xander might not get up and although she knew she shouldn’t, Hattie felt responsible for him getting to college for his first day. It was like looking after Frank and Fearless, she realised. To begin with, they had been just creatures to feed and clean up after, but very soon they had become creatures she cared about.
To her surprise and admiration, Xander was in the kitchen bang on time. His hair was wet and he’d brought down his plate and mug. ‘Thank you so much for breakfast, Aunt Hattie,’ he said. ‘Shall we go?’
‘Not so much of the aunt,’ said Hattie, to disguise the fact she was impressed and a little touched by her nephew. ‘But well done getting ready so quickly.’
