‘Oh. Well, I’m away at the moment.’
‘I can’t do without my personal belongings. And nor can Mary. She doesn’t even have her reading glasses.’
‘I’m sure she can manage without reading for a week or so.’
‘How little you know your aunt, Clive.’
‘Don’t get shirty with me! You’ve been sponging off my aunt and that doesn’t give you the right to tell me what she needs. Anything but!’ The line went silent.
Hattie stood outside the house, beginning to shiver. The warmth of the day had dissipated.
At a complete loss, she drove herself to Rose’s house. When Rose opened the door, Hattie asked, ‘Can I stay the night?’ and burst into tears.
Chapter Thirty
Hattie found herself taken into Rose and Sam’s comfortable, comforting home. She ended up on the huge squishy sofa, a colourful throw wrapped around her, a glass of red wine in her hand, while Sam made a fire in the big old inglenook fireplace and Rose made cheese on toast.
‘I’m sorry I can’t offer you supper,’ she said. ‘We’re doing intermittent fasting so ate very early.’
‘Although I could easily knock up some quick pasta,’ said Sam, now he’d got the fire going.
‘Honestly, cheese on toast is perfect. Just the smell is making me start to relax.’
‘I’ve got some fantastic olives,’ said Sam. ‘If you’re in the mood for snacks.’ He left the room, heading for the kitchen.
‘You know food is his love language,’ said Rose. ‘Now, tell me everything. I want to know all the details, and not just how Clive changed the locks on Mary’s house. Start with Luke on Friday night.’
It seemed to be several lifetimes ago, instead of just a couple of days.
Hattie was being too slow to finish her mouthful for Rose. ‘Were you happy with your outfit? The silk dress?’
‘Oh, yes, I was! I actually went to the hairdresser and had my hair put up. With the flower from your shop behind my ear. It did feel pretty good.’
‘What did Luke think?’
To her surprise, she realised she was blushing. She hoped Rose wouldn’t notice, given that she was already blotchy from crying. ‘I think he liked it. He looked very good himself. He scrubs up well.’
Rose didn’t comment. ‘And what are his friends like?’
Hattie crunched a sourdough crust. ‘A bit daunting. At least, I think I felt daunted because they’d all known each other for years and looked at me as if I were a mythical creature. One of them told me they didn’t think Luke knew any women, let alone that Luke had a girlfriend.’
Rose pursed her lips but didn’t comment. ‘But you passed muster?’
Hattie thought back. ‘Yes, I did.’
‘And what was the dinner like?’
‘Fairly boring. And Luke didn’t win the award he was up for.’
‘And you had a room? How was sharing it?’
‘Rose! Is this some form of interrogation? It was absolutely fine. The bed was massive. Then I had to get up very early to leave.’
‘And so, you and Luke—’
‘You know there is no “me and Luke”, Rose.’
‘You can’t give your sentimental friend a little hope that one day you and Luke will be more than best buddies?’
