Hattie disguised her surprise behind a drink of water. It was very brave of Sheila to confront Malcolm about his behaviour, and credit to him that he admitted hisfaults. There was more behind this comfortable middle-class couple than she would have suspected.
‘That’s amazing, Sheila.’
‘It was tough but it needed to be done.’ Sheila smiled briefly and moved on. ‘Now, the party…’
‘How many people do you think the party should be for?’
‘How long is a piece of string! We’ll put the gazebo up. Rent patio heaters if it’s not warm. I think we want a reasonable number, don’t we? I don’t want Fiona and Nick to feel self-conscious; we’ll need enough of a crowd that they can feel anonymous. How many people would you like?’ She pushed her notebook across the table. ‘I’m always better with a pen in my hand and something to write on.’
Hattie wrote quickly. Rose and Sam, Leonie and Mr Saye. Luke, herself, Xander. She added the names of two more couples. ‘It’s eleven people. But I could trim the list if you’d prefer fewer.’ She sighed. ‘I’d invite my old friend Mary, but she might find it all a bit much, she’s nearly ninety.’
‘I’m sure we can accommodate her if she does want to come. And otherwise, your list is fine – in fact, it could be much longer! I can invite the Jenkinses, they’re neighbours, and maybe Rachel Anstruther-Jones and her husband – you remember, the terrifying woman who we went to the quiz for.’
‘I remember her! She asked for free advice about her property, although everyone does, so I won’t hold that against her.’
‘So if they came they wouldn’t spoil the party for you?’
‘Of course not! I believe in mixing people up at parties. Although I may ask if Xander would like to invite a friend, if that’s all right.’
‘Please do! And have some more to eat. I’ve got quite excited about this party. When the wedding was called off, although I was deeply relieved, I felt a bit cheated out of a big do with my daughter…’
It was nearly four o’clock before Hattie got away, glad that Luke was picking up Xander. Sheila had been so enthusiastic it had given her confidence that inviting a man she didn’t know at all to a party was actually fine. She would feel better if she discussed it with Rose though. She pulled in next to a hedge and called her.
‘Hey, Rose! Do you and Sam fancy coming up for supper?’
‘When would you like us?’
‘About half six?’
‘Oh, I meant which day. Is it urgent?’ Rose knew Hattie well enough to spot she had an agenda.
‘I do have something I need to talk to you about.’
‘Well, Sam’s got a council meeting. How would you like just me tonight?’
‘Perfect! I’ll pick you up and drop you off, then you can drink.’
‘I’ll get Sam to bring me, it’s on his way, but you can take me home afterwards if you like. His meeting might go on forever.’ She paused. ‘You haven’t been drinking much lately. You’re not pregnant, are you?’
Hattie giggled. ‘Chance would be a fine thing.’
‘Then it must be visions you want to talk about,’ said Rose. ‘I’ll be with you by seven – half past at the latest.’
Chapter Nineteen
‘Well?’ said Rose the moment Hattie had finished putting the plates on the table in her little sitting room.
‘The charcuterie is all English,’ Hattie said. ‘Kinder to the pigs.’
‘Jolly good,’ said Rose. ‘Now tell me what’s going on?’
Hattie told Rose all about the party and why she needed to have one.
‘Let me get this straight,’ said Rose, picking up an olive. ‘You’re getting Sheila to have a party just so you can introduce your sister to a man you don’t know because you had a vision? About your sister? Who you don’t get on with?’
‘Yes. The thing is, you know I can’t ignore a vision. And it could be lovely for Lennie to have a man! I know she annoys the hell out of me but I want her to be happy.’
‘Run it by me again – you went to a parents’ evening at Xander’s college?’
