‘Yep. I’ve been doing a bit of research into vegan recipes since Christmas, so I’m a bit better prepared today.’
Angie rolled her eyes. ‘You shouldn’t try so hard, Lottie.’
‘I disagree,’ said Scott. Angie almost toppled over, when she spun around to glare at him. ‘I think it’s a lovely quality and I really appreciate it. Thank you.’ Scott gave a sideways nod as if encouraging Angie to add something.
‘She knows I appreciate what she does,’ said Angie.
‘I don’t actually,’ said Lottie.
‘Oh, well …’ Angie pulled at the neck of her dress asif it were suddenly tight. ‘I do appreciate what you do. And brunch is lovely … thank you.’
Lottie could tell it had taken a lot for her mother to compliment her. They would need to take baby steps to build a relationship without Nana.
‘You’re welcome,’ said Lottie.
Scott gave Lottie a warm smile whilst soothing Angie with a one-armed hug. Lottie liked Scott. He handled her mother well, and from the look of adoration on her mother’s face, he did so on a number of levels – many of which she didn’t want to dwell on.
‘And I found your sparkly pen under the armchair.’ She handed it to her mother.
‘Fabulous. My life story is coming on well. I’ve got to the bit where Alejandro seduced me …’ Lottie turned up the radio.
Joe reached past Lottie and, in passing, kissed her neck gently.
‘Oh, hello,’ said Zach, noticing the gesture. ‘What have we missed?’ Emily mouthedI didn’t tell him anything. ‘You knew about this?’ He pointed his bacon sandwich at Emily.
‘There has been the odd phone call,’ said Emily, sipping her orange juice. She and Lottie had been in constant contact since they’d gone home four days ago, so Emily was fully up to speed on developments.
‘Is Joe your boyfriend?’ asked Jessie, liberally squirting ketchup over her bacon sandwich before Emily took the bottle away.
Zach was on freeze frame, his bacon sandwich on his lips.
Lottie felt her cheeks flush. ‘Yes. Yes, he is.’
‘Oliver Sadler is my boyfriend,’ said Jessiematter-of-factly, as she replaced the top of her sandwich and squashed it down.
‘What?’ said Zach, completely distracted by Jessie’s confession. ‘You’re too young to have a boyfriend.’
Lottie leaned towards Emily. ‘How did it go with your folks yesterday?’ Emily had been planning on telling her family about the baby news.
‘Good. Actually, really good. Mum is made up about being a grandparent, and my sister was pleased, but not in an “I’ve won” kind of way. She explained that she doesn’t think being a mum is for her and she was worried about letting Mum and Dad down on the grandchildren front. It seems we’ve both been worrying about impressing them when really they’re proud of us both.’
‘That’s brilliant. I’m really pleased for you,’ said Lottie.
They heard voices in the hall and the kitchen was suddenly swamped as Dayea pushed Great Uncle Bernard’s wheelchair into view. ‘Uncle Bernie,’ said Lottie, throwing her arms around him. ‘You look so well.’
‘I’m being thoroughly spoiled,’ he said, with an affectionate look over his shoulder at Dayea, who was smiling broadly behind him.
Nicola and Rhys came into the kitchen. Nicola was wearing the same black outfit she’d worn to the funeral, and Lottie suddenly felt underdressed in her usual jeans andStar Warssweatshirt. Nicola saw her looking. ‘Oh, don’t mind me. You’re fine. I just didn’t know what to wear to something like this. And I like your hair. It suits you.’ Lottie was surprised by her response but grateful for it. She had dyed her hair pink the day after everyone had left.
Lottie looked past Nicola. There was no sign of Uncle Daniel.
Rhys had his ear buds in, so Lottie tapped him on theshoulder. ‘You okay?’ Lottie asked. He winced at her through narrowed eyes.
‘Bit of a headache. Big night last night.’
‘Bacon sandwich do the trick?’ She pointed to the pile she’d just made.
‘Sound, thanks.’ He grabbed a couple, put his ear buds back in and began to eat.
