Angie put her head into the hallway. ‘Did you say something about making mulled wine?’
‘It’s for after the carol service,’ said Lottie, a little snappier than she intended.
Angie pouted. ‘I’ll have to stick to the Prosecco then.’ Another cork popped behind her. How could they celebrate losing the house?
‘Hang on. That’s for tomorrow,’ said Lottie going after her mother. Thank goodness she’d kept some bottles in reserve.
Angie offered Lottie a glass. ‘Oh, do lighten up, darling.’
Chapter Eight
Emily was trying to make herself useful by clearing the dinner table, but she’d reached the point where she didn’t know where things went, and if she started opening cupboard doors she’d look like she was snooping. The dining room was a long room with pelmets and sweeping pale-green drapes at the window. The top half of the walls was covered in a shiny embossed wallpaper, with dark wood panelling to the bottom half, and there was a large redundant fireplace with an ornate gold-framed mirror above, which bounced back the light from the chandelier. Near the door was a beautifully carved clock case; on cue it chimed out six o’clock. It all seemed very grand to Emily.
She collected up the tablecloth and admired the table top. She’d not seen a table like it before. It had comfortably sat all of them around it in matching dark wood chairs. This place was a revelation to her. Of course she’d seen houses like this before – even checked a few out on the internet, dreaming about what she’d spend a lottery win on – but she’d never been inside one. Zach hadn’t given her any inkling that his family had a place like this. But then why would he? He didn’t seem to think it was a bigdeal. If he’d said they’d had a mansion she’d have thought he was showing off; or worse still, lying.
Lottie came in, looking paler than she had before. She looked around at the tidy room. ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘You didn’t have to clear away.’
‘I wanted to help,’ said Emily, holding the place mats aloft. ‘Where do these go?’
‘Sideboard. End cupboard.’ They exchanged hesitant looks.
‘It’s a lovely house. I can understand why you don’t want to celebrate it being sold.’
‘Thanks,’ said Lottie. ‘I just thought I had more time, that’s all. I thought the same with Nana too.’ Lottie gazed out of the window, although Emily wasn’t sure what she was looking at as it was dark outside.
‘I wish I’d met her,’ said Emily.
Lottie turned to look at her. ‘Nana was a force of nature. I honestly thought she was invincible. I know it sounds crazy, but she never acted old and I never considered a time when she’d not be here. I suppose I didn’t want to think about it.’
‘Zach said she practically brought you and him up.’
Lottie bobbed her head. ‘Yeah, I guess she did. We were here on and off for most of our childhood. It’s what’s made this place feel like home.’
Silence claimed the space between them. Lottie went back to looking out of the window whilst she folded the tablecloth.
Emily needed to say something because the elephant in the room was so vast its trunk was up the chimney and its bum was hanging out of the window. She pushed the door to. ‘I didn’t know you worked in the shop.’
‘I don’t. Well, not really. The shop was going to be soldso some locals set up a community project to save it. We all work an hour or two for free to keep it open for everyone to use.’
‘That’s a nice idea,’ said Emily, wondering what to do with her hands. She wasn’t sure how to bring up the tester kit. She knew she’d already said far too much in the shop to be able to pass it off as a purchase for a friend. She straightened her back. ‘Thanks for not saying anything about …’
‘Oh, don’t worry. It’s okay. It’s none of my business.’
‘Wow, you are a nice sister. Mine wouldn’t think that. Any opportunity to stick her beak in my business she’d take it, especially if she could make me look bad or herself look better. Sorry, I’m sure you’re not like that.’ She hated it when her mouth went off without her brain getting on board.
Lottie smiled. ‘I hope not. I just want Zach to be happy. He’s been through a lot.’
‘I know. And I don’t want anything to mess up what we have. This whole missed period thing has taken me by surprise.’ Lottie had such a kind and genuine face that Emily couldn’t help but confide in her.
Lottie put down the folded tablecloth. ‘Does Zach know?’ She held Emily’s gaze.
Emily shook her head. ‘I didn’t want to worry him if it’s nothing, and I’ve not had a chance to do the test yet.’ Every time she’d gone in search of a toilet it had either been occupied or Zach had intercepted her, and there were only so many times she could say she was going for a wee before he’d think she had something seriously wrong with her waterworks. The one time she had managed to dash in the loo she’d forgotten her bag – and therefore, the tester.
Lottie looked surprised. ‘Are you putting it off?’
‘I guess,’ admitted Emily.
‘Why’s that?’
