Xander nodded. ‘They want a grandchild they can boast about to their friends. I’m not one of those.’
Hattie opened her mouth to argue but she knew he was right. ‘I’m really proud to have you as a nephew, Xander. If that helps.’
‘I know. But you and Luke are cool.’
Hattie considered reminding Xander that she and Luke weren’t a couple, but refrained. ‘That’s good!’
‘But my grandparents? Terrifying. I’m so glad I’m going to be with Dad and won’t be able to come to their Golden Wedding or whatever it is.’
‘Well, I’ll miss you. No one else there is likely to be remotely fun. Now.’ She gave the work surface a final wipe. ‘I think that’s all done. Get the chocolates and we can join Mary. I must say, there’s something about a chocolate before bed.’
‘As long as you brush your teeth properly before you go to bed, Auntie Hattie,’ said Xander with a smirk.
Hattie was sitting in her car in a layby, trying to assess traffic noise for a house that seemed to be perfect in every other way when her sister called.
‘It all went very smoothly, apparently,’ Leonie said after a brief greeting. ‘The Circle Line was behavingitself, and Xan is very clued-up.’ She paused. ‘Charles is right; I should trust him more. He’s old enough.’
‘Definitely,’ said Hattie.
‘Have you time to talk? I just want to make sure you’re up to date on the Golden Wedding celebrations.’
‘Yes?’
‘They’ve booked a venue, sent out invitations, chosen a menu—’
‘I didn’t get an invitation,’ said Hattie.
‘Nor did I! We’re family. They wouldn’t waste expensive engraved invitations on us.’
‘So what do you need me to do? Are they having a cake? I could probably help there if I had to, although transporting it might be tricky.’
‘They are having a cake, but they want me – us – to organise a seating plan, ask about special dietary requirements, which they didn’t know they had to do until I told them. They need to choose their canapés, decide if they want a cheese course or not—’ Hattie heard her sister gulp. ‘There’s lots that can be done by email but they need help with the menu and I can’t do it because I’m in Switzerland.’
‘Lennie! I know I work for myself but I am busy, you know!’
‘At least you live in the same country. I realise that dealing with our parents is not part of your skill set…’
‘I can’t be near Mum for more than twenty minutes without her getting upset with me. I’m not your woman for this. Have you thought about hiring a party planner?’
‘I’ve tried! I can’t find one that isn’t booked. Anyone who does that sort of thing is spoken for. A summer Saturday is peak time for weddings. Who knew?’
It was so unlike Leonie to be ironic, Hattie laughed again.
‘I know it’s not really your thing, Hattie, it’s my thing, and I really wouldn’t put this on you if there was an alternative.’
Hattie was so accustomed to being bossed around by her older sister, she was more thrown by Leonie’s conciliatory tone. ‘I’ll do my best, Lennie. But you might need to write me a list.’
‘I’ll send the list to you now. A spreadsheet will follow. I can’t thank you enough for this.’
After Hattie had concluded that the house might just avoid being accused of having too much traffic noise, she drove home. She’d share a cup of tea with Mary before looking through a wodge of legal documents for a house sale. She’d also bought cakes from a stall run by children raising money for the local hospice that she spotted on the journey. She found a little sugar hit prior helped with the paperwork.
‘Tea and cakes?’ said Mary. ‘Is there a reason?’
‘My official excuse for cake is the pile of legalese I have to go through later, but you always know when I want to bend your ear about something. It’s my sister.’
‘Was she pleased with Xander for getting himself to his father without incident?’
‘She was! I think she’s beginning to let go a bit. She does seem to be less uptight these days. But she’s set me rather a large task.’
