‘But do people want to be carving and serving when they’ve been invited out for lunch?’ asked Hattie’s mother.
The young woman cleared her throat. ‘A lot of older people prefer to serve themselves. They don’t like to be confronted with a big plate of food. And if the food is still on the table, if they find they do like some particular item, they can have more.’
‘That does sound appealing,’ said Hattie’s mother. ‘Many of my husband’s friends are older than we are.’
‘It would save waste, Mum,’ said Hattie. ‘You hate waste – not that anyone admits to liking it,’ she added, quietly, so her mother wouldn’t hear.
‘Very well then,’ said her mother. ‘Now what about pudding? And do we have to have a cheese board as well?’
Eventually, all Hattie’s mother’s questions and concerns were addressed. There’d be a selection of puddings, arranged on a trolley, so guests could choose but wouldn’t have to get up to do so. Several small cheese boards would be made up and left on a serving table and Hattie (and, presumably, Leonie and helpful cousins) would take them to tables if required. Tea and coffee would be provided even though, according to Hattie’s mother, it cost a fortune.
Before Hattie left, as early as she could the following morning, she was subjected to the dress-code talk again.
‘Promise me you’ll be appropriately dressed. I want to feel proud of you in front of my friends.’ That hermother did not usually feel like that about her hung in the air, unsaid.
Hattie hugged her mother, trying not to feel hurt by this. ‘I’ll do my absolute best, Mum, really.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
A busy couple of days later – Mrs Conway had decided to go for the pretty house, so Hattie had opened negotiations with the owners; Nick wanted to press ahead with a survey but all Hattie’s usual surveyors were booked up – Hattie got back from going through some conveyancing documents with her favourite solicitor, later than usual, to the news that Luke had visited Mary.
Mary was obviously pleased. ‘He wanted to check that the guttering he mended was still holding – he’s looked at that patch of damp we were talking about and says it’s drying out. He’s done a few other repairs. He really is an extremely helpful man.’
Hattie agreed that he was and sipped her tea. Mary had something else to say, she could tell. Since they’d been living together she’d got to know Mary better than she had before and could interpret her body language quite accurately now. ‘And?’
Mary laughed. ‘How did you know there was an “and”?’
‘I just do.’
‘I think you have second sight, sometimes,’ said Mary, making Hattie jump a little. ‘But you’re right. He wants to ask you a favour.’
‘I’ll ring him. Luke has always been such a good friend to me, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.’
‘I know it’s nice to have friends,’ said Mary, ‘but don’t you really think Luke could be more than a friend?’
‘I don’t think so.’ Hattie sighed. ‘When I was at uni, a friend had a male friend who was very in love with her, and she thought: He’s so nice, who would make a better husband? I can’t remember why she was so keen to get married so young – family reasons, I think – but she married her friend. It all went horribly wrong, and they both lost their best friend.’ She turned her gaze to the floor. ‘That was far worse than losing a husband, I thought. I’d never risk that happening with me and Luke, even if he was in love with me.’
Mary started to speak and then stopped. ‘Well, give him a ring. Take him out for a drink to find out what he needs. A meal, even.’
‘You’re not matchmaking, are you?’
Mary shook her head. ‘I’m far too old and sensible to do that.’
Hattie doubted this, but didn’t argue.
She went into her favourite spot in the garden where there was an old bench, a nearby honeysuckle and a vista that showed glimpses of the river when the sun shone on it. She got out her phone.
‘Hey, Luke! How are you doing?’
‘Hey, Hattie. I was about to ring you. Fancy a drink sometime soon?’
‘I was going to invite you!’ said Hattie. ‘Maybe even have something to eat? I want to thank you for being so kind to Mary. As well as—’
‘What?’
She didn’t want to tell him she wanted to know what favour he wanted to ask her, not on the phone. ‘Never mind. When’s good for you?’
‘Tomorrow?’
