While good weather was certainly on Hattie’s mind, she was more immediately concerned about getting Tom Saye to the party, given that they didn’t know each other at all.
Hattie spent a large part of her working days calling people, many of whom she didn’t know, on the telephone; she was never anxious about it. But as she tapped in the number Tom Saye had written down for her, she quailed at the thought of the conversation to come.
‘Oh, Tom,’ she said, quickly stifling the ‘Mr Saye’. ‘You won’t remember me. I’m Hattie Bruckless. I’m Xander Rathbone’s aunt. I met you at the college the other day and was asking about—’
‘I remember you, Hattie,’ he said. Oh, no! He sounded very friendly; he couldn’t be allowed to fancy her. He was for her sister!
‘Oh, that’s good, because I have a rather unusual – um – invitation. I want to ask you to a party.’
‘That is usually known as an invitation.’
Hattie could hear that he was amused. This was probably a good thing but she needed to steer clear of any flirtation – from her side at least. ‘It’s unusual because we don’t really know each other but I’m verykeen that you should meet my sister. Because she wants to talk to you about Xander, and she’ll only be in the country for one night.’ Hattie took a breath. ‘Would you come?’
‘That’s very kind of you. When is the party? And where?’
He didn’t sound wildly enthusiastic but he wasn’t saying no. ‘Next Saturday, the thirteenth of July. I’m pretending it’s Bastille Day! Only one day out.’
‘Any particular reason for celebrating Bastille Day?’
‘Well, it’s my birthday. It’s why I’m having a party but we’re not calling it a birthday party because I don’t want people bringing me presents.’
‘Why don’t you want presents?’ he asked, sounding a bit surprised.
‘You know, clutter.’
‘OK. I’ll come and I won’t bring you a present.’
Hattie was surprised and delighted how easy this had all been so far. Was it because of the vision? Getting Fiona and Nick together had been easy too.
‘What sort of time?’
‘About seven.’
‘And the address?’
Hattie gave him Sheila’s address, sounding rather garbled, wanting to get the words out before he could change his mind and say no. ‘It’s not actually where I live. A friend is holding the party for me. I’m so glad you can come. I don’t know how you’d meet Leonie otherwise.’
‘Of course I’m delighted to be invited to a party,’ said Tom, ‘but I’m not at all concerned about Xander’s work. There’s no need for me to meet your sister.’
‘Trust me, there really is. But Sheila’s house is delightful. The food will be brilliant, and there will be lotsof nice people coming. And of course,’ she added, ‘do bring a plus one if you’d like to. She – he – would be very welcome.’
She felt she had to say this, but really hoped he’d refuse.
‘It’s just me,’ he said.
‘Well, that’s a relief.’
‘Oh? Why?’
‘Oh, you know,’ said Hattie with a nervous laugh. ‘Numbers! So, bye! See you soon!’
Chapter Twenty
Rose created some very pretty invitations – Sheila was thrilled by them – and these were duly sent out. Almost everybody Hattie asked accepted, despite the very short notice, as she had felt sure they would. A chance to dress up to go to a house they hadn’t been to before was always going to be popular, among the women at least.
Sheila had reiterated that she was not impressed by the length of Hattie’s guest list, insisting that she wanted her garden – and therefore her party – to be full. So as well as her close friends and the estate agents, Hattie invited a couple of local solicitors – one had been really helpful over the negotiations for Nick’s house sale; Hattie was delighted that after some intense haggling his offer had been accepted – and a handyman and his wife. This couple had rescued many a local with a suddenly blocked drain, missing roof tile or mysterious damp patch, several of them Hattie’s clients. This was a thank you for their assistance over the years she had been in business. Luke, however, was the only builder she asked, although he said, as he accepted the decorated card, that he was always booked for months ahead and really didn’t need to do any more extensions.
‘I’d still feel disloyal if I became friends with any other builders,’ she said.
