‘I know. And I completely understand if you say no. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been to an event like this on my own.’
‘I’m sure I can make it work – go to my parents’ early on the Saturday morning – but what’s different about this event?’
Luke looked sheepish for a moment. ‘I’m up for an award, which I probably won’t get, but more to the point is the lads – the guys who work with me down in Cornwall.’ He held Hattie’s gaze for just a beat before finishing his sentence. ‘They – and the architect and various others – have been teasing me for ages about not knowing any women.’
Hattie had heard about this group of people, who had started out as colleagues and now were mostly friends. The thought of meeting them was daunting.
‘Really?’ Hattie cut into her pie.
Luke nodded. ‘You know when you had the dogs for me? They first started teasing me because I would shoot off as soon as possible to come and get them from you. I tried to explain we were just friends but then they decided you didn’t exist and that I didn’t know any women.’
‘Why would anyone think that?’
‘There are no photographs of any women on my phone; no one visits me down in Cornwall. Theychallenged me to produce someone for this do. They don’t think I can do it.’ He seemed awkward. ‘It’s all very pathetic. There’s money on it.’
Hattie laughed. ‘Outrageous! And there’s no one else you can ask to be a proxy girlfriend?’
‘Loads of people but none I want to actually come with me to an event like this.’
‘In that case of course I’ll come with you.’
‘That’s very kind, Hattie.’
‘Not at all! It wasn’t long ago that you were rescuing me from an angry man with a grudge against me banging on my front door. Frocking up for an evening with you is the least I can do in exchange.’
‘I should mention that we’re expected to stay over. It’s in a fancy hotel.’ He cleared his throat. ‘But the rooms are big. There’ll be a sofa for me to sleep on.’
Would this be awkward? Surely if he was the friend she had assured Mary he was, it would be fine! ‘I trust you, Luke. Where is this fancy hotel?’
He mentioned a place about an hour away.
‘Oh! That’s on the way to where my parents live. So as long as I remember absolutely everything I need to take with me, that’ll actually be helpful.’
‘Thanks so much, Hattie.’
‘Don’t think about it.’ Hattie knew, if their positions were reversed, he would be there for her.
‘I would have liked to drive us both down but even if you weren’t going to your parents’ do, I’ve got to go straight off and start some snagging on my previous job that day. It’ll take me away for a couple of weeks, possibly longer. But at least I can take the dogs.’
‘What will you do with them during the event? Or is the hotel dog friendly?’
‘Luckily I have an old friend who’ll have them overnight. I’ll pick them up in the morning.’
She nodded. ‘And it’s no trouble for me to drive myself but should we have somewhere to meet up first? Or shall I just rock up and say I’m with the prize winners?’
Luke laughed. ‘I’ll wait by the door for you. We’ll go in together. This is so kind of you, Hattie. Now let’s eat!’
Mary was asleep when Hattie got home feeling gently merry, but in the morning extracted every detail from Hattie about the night before over tea and toast. In the end she said, ‘You must wear the blue silk dress, darling. You look so lovely in it.’
‘I’d love to, but supposing I spill something on it?’
‘Then you spill something on it! Not important. You just need to have a lovely evening with a lovely man.’
Hattie shook her head at her old friend. ‘Have you finished with your plate?’
‘Yes, thank you. I must admit I have got used to being waited on worryingly quickly.’
‘But you don’t feel smothered? Am I fussing?’
