‘Lance hasn’t taken it well,’ she said. ‘Mum said he was spitting tacks, whatever that means.’
‘It means he’s angry.’
Fiona sat down at the table. ‘He would be. He’s been made to look a fool. Although Mum said everyone seemed to enjoy the party. Daddy’s spitting tacks too. He thought Lance would be good for me.’
Hattie smothered a snort at that idea. ‘Glass of wine?’
‘Yes, please. I haven’t been drinking either. I’ve just been having bone broth and green smoothies.’
They ate in silence for a few minutes; then Fiona said, ‘The trouble is, I don’t know where to go. I want to go home but can’t as I need to keep right out of Lance’s way. And Daddy’s.’
‘Well, I was talking to Nick about this earlier. I won a week in Paris as a raffle prize at the quiz. Would you like to go there?’
‘On my own?’ Fiona didn’t look keen.
‘Actually, Nick offered to take you. Of course it would be just as friends, but he felt a bit odd about asking you himself.’
‘He was incredibly kind to me,’ said Fiona. ‘So calm and gentle. So unlike Lance!’
‘Nick… cares about you.’
‘He doesn’t know me!’
Hattie laughed. ‘True! But would you feel safe with him if you went to Paris together?’
‘Oh, yes. Absolutely. In a way I never felt with Lance. I felt he owned me but didn’t really like me.’
Hattie was silent, keeping back her opinions on Lance. There was no need to pile in now that the wedding was off.
‘Have a think about Paris,’ she said instead. ‘Nick will come back in the morning and you can make a plan if you want to.’
Fiona nodded; she didn’t seem against the idea at all.
‘More pizza? Or shall I find the box of chocolates I’ve had in the freezer for a while?’ Hattie offered.
‘Chocolates! I didn’t know you could freeze them!’
‘You definitely can.’
Fiona had gone to bed and Hattie was just clearing up when her phone went.
It was Sheila. ‘Hattie? Can you hear me? I’m in the coat cupboard.’
‘I can hear you.’ She didn’t bother to ask why Sheila was in the coat cupboard – there would presumably be a good reason.
‘Lance has worked out that the wedding being called off was something to do with you. I let the cat out of the bag. I’msosorry. He’s furious.’
‘Oh, dear.’
‘I’m ringing to warn you. I know you haven’t got your home address on your website or anything but he’s determined to find you.’
‘Is he likely to come tonight?’
‘He shouldn’t drive as he’s been drinking but I don’t think that would stop him.’
‘OK.’
‘You’ll be all right?’
