She was less happy when the guests, Jason and Carole, arrived before Luke did. And she was a bit taken aback when she realised they weren’t the couple she’d thought they were, which made her worry she’d been calling people the wrong names for the entire dinner dance. But her professional skills didn’t desert her and she welcomed them warmly.
‘How lovely to see you! Luke’s not here yet but do come in. It’s not as warm as it should be, is it? I’ll get Luke to light the wood burner when he gets here. I’ll show you up to your room. When you’re settled, come and get a drink!’
While Jason and Carole were sorting themselves out, Hattie lit the candles, got out the good glasses and found the wine. The dinner table was already set and the lasagne was bubbling away in the oven. But where was Luke?
It was hard work entertaining people you didn’t know in a house that wasn’t yours, Hattie realised quite quickly. Carole in particular seemed very curious about her and she did feel she was being interviewed, as if for a job. When Frank and Fearless bounded into the house, she was so pleased to see them she didn’t even mind when the vase of flowers went flying.
Luke greeted his guests warmly and then there was a moment of awkwardness before he took Hattie into his arms. ‘Hello, darling, the house looks amazing!’ Then he kissed her cheek. He hadn’t shaved recently and his face was rough against hers. He kept his hand in the small ofher back for a few moments in a way that would have looked entirely natural if they had been a couple.
Hattie hadn’t rehearsed this moment in her mind although, belatedly, she realised she should have. She felt a bit taken aback.
‘Well.’ She searched her mind for a suitable reply, feeling slightly hysterical. ‘Don’t make it sound as if the house usually looks dreadful! I’ll get you a drink at the same time as I put more water in the vase for the flowers. Frank? Fearless? Go to your beds.’
Frank and Fearless weren’t used to being ordered about by Hattie. With her, they usually called the shots; but, sportingly, they went to their beds and regarded the company eagerly, seeking praise. ‘You’re very good dogs,’ said Hattie.
Luckily, Luke’s presence encouraged them to stay in their beds. If Hattie had praised them like that on her own, they’d have taken it as an invitation.
‘I think you’re very tolerant about the dogs,’ said Carole to Hattie. ‘One small dog would be fine, but this house isn’t really big enough for two of them, is it?’
‘It’s fine,’ said Hattie. ‘Anyway, they’ve been with Luke longer than I have.’
‘So how long have you and Luke been together?’ Carole went on.
‘Quite long,’ said Hattie vaguely. ‘Now I must have a look in the oven. Are you all hungry?
Luke could answer the awkward questions, she decided, finding a bottle of beer in the fridge.
Hattie was very pleased with how the meal went. Xander came in and joined them, enthusiasticallyshovelling down lasagne, garlic bread and salad. When he’d finished he said to Hattie, ‘That was great. I don’t want anything else to eat, thanks. Can I go back to the cabin?’
Hattie nodded. She knew he wanted to get away from the slightly strained conversation and get back to his game. When Xander had nodded goodbye and left, Hattie got up.
‘I’ll go and get the puddings.’
‘Plural?’ said Jason. ‘That’s amazing. We don’t have puddings at home, do we?’ He looked at his wife.
‘Because we don’t want to end up the size of houses,’ said Carole.
‘We only have them if we have guests,’ said Hattie, feeling judged. ‘Luke? Can you give me a hand?’
It seemed to take a while before the table was cleared and the trifle, cool, covered with cream and toasted flaked almonds, and the crumble, hot with a biscuit-coloured crusty topping, were waiting for Hattie’s spoon to go in.
‘Wow, can we have both?’ asked Jason. ‘I can’t decide.’
‘Of course, but not at the same time,’ said Hattie. ‘Oh. We need cream. And ice cream.’ She got up.
‘I can get it,’ said Luke.
Hattie shook her head. The cream was in a carton in the fridge but she wanted it in a jug. Rose had brought jugs with her but Luke wouldn’t know where they were. ‘You carry on here.’
When she had come back into the room, everyone had pudding in front of them; Hattie sat down and smiled at Luke before taking a fortifying sip of wine. Luke patted her knee under the table in return. ThenCarole said, ‘Well, now we’re all here, can we finally find out how you and Luke met?’
Hattie mentally kicked herself and Luke for not getting their story completely straight before they started on this charade.
To her surprise, he chuckled. Everyone looked at him. ‘I can remember the exact moment I first saw Hattie.’
As Hattie couldn’t remember this she wondered what he was going to say.
He slipped his arm round her shoulder before speaking. ‘I was doing some repairs on a house Hattie was trying to convince some people would be perfect for them if only they were prepared to do a bit of work. She was so passionate. Her hair was curling round her head and her skin was glowing. As I came further into the room, I saw that her eyes were as green as gooseberries.’
