‘Well, this looks delicious,’ said Hattie. ‘So colourful!’
‘And did you grow the salad and herbs?’ asked Rose.
‘I did! Malcolm can only eat a certain amount of salad so it’s lovely to have enthusiastic diners. Help yourselves. Have some bread. I don’t suppose I can persuade either of you to join me in a glass of fizz? As I said on the phone, I do have something to celebrate.’
Rose gave in to temptation quite quickly. ‘It’s my morning off and Hattie drove us here. I’d love a glass of fizz.’
‘Excellent!’ Sheila quickly fetched a bottle. When everyone had a drink, Hattie sticking to sparkling water, Sheila made a toast. ‘To parties, to friends, and to people who know their way round the internet.’
Hattie and Rose’s glasses landed quickly. ‘That sounds intriguing. What do you mean?’ asked Hattie.
‘This woman I know discovered that Lance – you know Lance?’ Sheila addressed Rose. ‘The horrible man who nearly married my daughter?’
‘I know who Lance is,’ said Rose.
‘Well, he’s definitely making plans to emigrate!’
‘How on earth can anyone find that out?’ asked Hattie.
Sheila shrugged. ‘It’s to do with social media. He announced on there somewhere that he’s got a new job. I’m celebrating because I didn’t think I’d stop worrying about Fiona if he was still in the country. And I’m sure you felt the same, Hattie.’
Hattie nodded. ‘I didn’t think I was worried in the long run, not really, but now you’ve told me that, I do feel a weight has been lifted.’
Once in the car with Rose, Hattie gave a little shudder. ‘I can’t help wishing I didn’t have visions. They are such a responsibility.’
‘I can imagine but you did a good thing for Fiona as a result.’
Hattie smiled gratefully at her friend.
‘Different when it’s your sister,’ Rose went on. ‘Although Tom seems perfect for Leonie, I’d have thought. He’s so nice.’
‘She seems to think so. Although of course I can’t tell her it was a vision. They none of them approve of my wild Irish great-granny, who apparently had them too.’
‘You’re very different from your sister.’
Hattie nodded. ‘And from my parents.’ She frowned suddenly. ‘That reminds me, they’re coming up for their fiftieth wedding anniversary soon – something I keep avoiding thinking about. I wonder what that’ll involve?’
‘You, to some extent!’ said Rose, laughing.
Hattie had dropped off Rose at the shop, refused tea and was on her way home to the lodge when her phone rang. It was Clive.
‘Hi,’ he said. ‘I think we should meet.’
‘Good idea,’ said Hattie, forcing positivity into her voice, although she felt suddenly anxious. She’d met Clive a few times before and it had never been enjoyable. ‘When would be good for you?’
‘When would be good for you?’ he asked, reminding Hattie that he could be a bit oleaginous.
‘Now? I’m in the car. We could find a pub garden or something.’
‘Fine. The Fountain? Do you know it?’
One of Hattie’s many skills was knowing every pub and café in the area. ‘Yup. I’ll be there in fifteen.’ She wanted to do a drive by on a house to check if there was evening sun later, so this would be convenient.
Clive was there before her at a table near the bar, with a pint in front of him. He was wearing chinos and a striped shirt that clung slightly and had one too many buttons undone. He didn’t get up when Hattie approached, so she greeted him and ordered herself some sparkling water.
‘Shall we sit outside?’ she asked, when she had her drink. ‘It’s a lovely day.’ She might feel less uncomfortable being with him if she was in the fresh air.
He shook his head. ‘I’m fine here, thanks.’
