‘Is there any sort of tradesman you don’t know of?’ said Mary.
‘I hope not! It’s part of my job!’
It didn’t take Hattie long to set up a wicker table and a couple of chairs. Then she set out the lunch on plates and poured water for them both.
‘I’ve got a bottle of white wine somewhere,’ said Mary. ‘Would you like some?’
‘Ooh! That reminds me! I nearly forgot. I’ve got half a bottle of champagne wrapped in newspaper in the car. It’s got a cork in so it should still be fizzy. Shall I get it?’
Mary paused. ‘To be honest, these days I enjoy the idea of wine – even champagne – more than I enjoy drinking it.’
‘But you’re feeling OK? Mostly?’ Hattie handed Mary a plate with some devilled quails’ eggs, a tiny quiche, and a savoury profiterole.
‘I’m mostly fine. I struggle with the stairs a little bit but as long as I bring everything with me so I only go up once, it’s manageable.’ She surveyed her plate. ‘That looks like a lot of food, but suddenly I find I am quite hungry.’
‘What did you have for breakfast?’ Hattie asked.
‘Oh, I don’t bother with breakfast. A cup of tea – or maybe a glass of squash – takes me through until later.’
‘Don’t you feel hungry these days, Mary?’
Mary finished eating a devilled egg. ‘I do, but cooking is so tiring. That’s why I like it when you order me crackers and butter from Waitrose. I can always live on those.’
Hattie didn’t think this was quite true and was shocked to hear it. ‘I could arrange for you to have meals that you keep in the freezer and just microwave,’ she said.
‘I did try those once,’ said Mary. ‘I found them a bit bland. Although they might be a good idea. Now, tell me about the party.’
Hattie told Mary as much as she could remember in as much detail as possible.
‘So, who’s Tom? The man that your sister liked?’
‘He teaches Xander at college. Leonie wanted to have a chat with him and she couldn’t get to the parents’ evening. I’m sure I’ve told you that she’s rather an anxious mother. I can’t say I blame her. Bringing up a child on your own in London must have been terrifying.’
‘But she’s thinking of coming to live down here, you said?’
‘Yes.’ Hattie paused. ‘I rather hope she doesn’t ask me to find her a house. I’ve got enough paid work going on without taking on my sister. She’d be demanding, and I wouldn’t feel able to charge her.’
‘She could come and live here!’ said Mary. ‘I won’t be here much longer.’
‘What do you mean? You may not be a teenager any more but you’re not at death’s door! And if anyone is going to live here, it’s going to be me! I think you’d be a lovely housemate and this house is too beautiful for anyone else, even my sister.’
Mary laughed. ‘Well, if ever you do need somewhere – bigger than your lodge perhaps – we could think about it. There’s lots of space and even a nice big shed that Xander could mess about in if Luke wants to get rid of him.’
Hattie swallowed. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Are you?’ asked Mary, her eyes lighting up.
‘I could be. This house is big enough so we don’t need to get in each other’s way, and I could keep an eye on you!’
‘As long as you didn’t stop me having rowdy parties every weekend, I could live with that,’ said Mary. ‘And while I definitely don’t need a minder, I do need someone for silly things, like opening jars, finding my reading glasses. And my phone. Oh, and sorting out my pills and putting them into the boxes.’
Hattie laughed. ‘There’s certainly an app to help with your phone, although I’m not sure about the other things. But let’s have a proper think about it. It’s not something either of us should rush into.’
‘And I would have to run it past Clive. Although I think he’d be delighted. He wouldn’t have to visit me at all then.’
‘But before we do any of that, would you like more of what you’ve had, or would you like to move on to desserts?’
‘Pudding, please,’ said Mary definitely, obviously delighted at the thought.
