‘I’ve got nothing else on. Where shall we meet?’
‘I’ll pick you up,’ said Luke. ‘In the old-fashioned way. And then you can have a glass of wine with your pie and chips.’
‘Pie and chips? You must be talking about the March Hare!’
‘Yup. No better place for pie or indeed chips.’
They chatted on for a few moments and Hattie was still smiling when she disconnected. Luke could always make her laugh. And it would be good to have an evening together like old times before he got that job in Cornwall and she became a substitute parent to Xander. She went to tell Mary of the arrangements. Mary nodded approvingly.
‘Are you sure you don’t want to wear anything from the wardrobe?’ Mary asked, obviously disappointed by Hattie’s outfit. ‘I mean, you look lovely, as usual, but Luke might like to see you in something different.’
Hattie laughed. ‘I don’t think Luke notices clothes. Now, are you sure you’re all right? Shall I bring a pie home with me? Or some chips?’
‘Silly girl! Off you go and have a lovely time. Tell me all about it in the morning.’
Hattie was about to say there wouldn’t be anything to tell but heard Luke drive up and so waved to Mary and went out to meet him.
‘This is very nice!’ she said, getting into the front of Luke’s big pick-up. ‘Being collected!’
‘I have a favour to ask you. I need to be nice.’
‘Is that how it works? You’re always doing me favours. I don’t think I’m particularly nice to you.’
Luke laughed. ‘This is a big one. And no, you can’t ask me what it is now. I need you sitting comfortably, with a big glass of wine.’
‘I can’t remember when I last went out and had a big glass of wine.’
‘Which is why I picked you up. I want your guard to be down a little bit so you’ll say yes to my favour.’
‘I would anyway, Luke! You know that!’
He was smiling but he didn’t comment. He waited until their pies, the vegetables, the chips, had all been served. Hattie had a glass of wine, and Luke had a lime-soda.
‘Now you have to tell me what the favour is,’ said Hattie. ‘I won’t enjoy any of this if I’m worrying about what you want me to do.’ She picked up a chip. ‘I’m only going to eat this one, and let everything else go to waste unless you tell me now!’
‘Ask you, rather.’
Hattie exhaled loudly. ‘So ask!’
‘I want you to be my plus one at an event.’
Hattie was almost disappointed. ‘Is that all? Of course I’ll do that!’
‘It’s black tie. An awards ceremony.’
‘I can do black tie!’ She put her hand on his for a moment. ‘Seriously, that’s no problem. I scrub up quite well if I put my mind to it.’
He looked down at her hand, turned his over underneath it so they were palm to palm. ‘That’s not the issue, you always look gorgeous.’
Hattie pulled her hand back.
Luke picked up a chip. ‘It’s the date,’ he said.
Suddenly Hattie was concerned. ‘It’s not the same day as my parents’ Golden Wedding do, is it? That’s the tenth of August.’
‘Not quite that bad, but nearly. It’s the night before. I know because Mary told me.’
Hattie took a sip of wine. ‘I was planning to go down the night before.’
