‘And you’ll never guess. Adrienne turned them away. Said there wasn’t room.’
‘But another two wouldn’t have mattered, would it?’ said Meredith, straining her neck to look down the table. ‘And with this number of people, someone’s bound not to turn up.’
‘Cheeky cow, turning up uninvited,’ chipped in Jason, echoing Hannah’s thoughts.
‘From what I’ve heard, she likes to think she’s part of the family,’ said Alan.
‘Adrienne said she was very sorry but it wasn’t possible.’
Hannah smiled to herself. Good for Adrienne. It was Conor who needed to know. Polly wasn’t part of the family and wasn’t about to receive preferential treatment anymore.
‘Yes indeed, that was her told,’ said a voice as a couple of familiar faces came to stand next to Jason. Seamus and Peter were the head pig men. ‘You wouldn’t want to mess with Mrs Byrne. Flighty little madam, that Miss Daventree.’ Seamus grinned and turned to Jason, ‘Evening, young fella,’ said Seamus. ‘Remember, Pigwinkle, Clarence, and Porker will still be expecting you in the morning.’ He wagged a stern finger at Jason. ‘So don’t be getting fluthered tonight.’
‘No, Grandad,’ said Jason to Seamus, with a cheeky wink.
‘As long as you’re ready in the morning.’
‘I’m not a lightweight,’ said Jason. ‘I wouldn’t let my pigs down. Still partial to me bacon though.’
‘Jason!’ said Izzy.
‘What? It’s like Adrienne says, better to eat a happy pig than an unhappy one.’
It wasn’t quite what Adrienne would have said but Hannah guessed it was close enough. He caught her eye and winked as they were guided by a young waitress through the greenhouse doors to a table a third of the way down.
Jason grinned as he sat down in his chair. ‘And it’s better to eat quality than cheap. See, I’m on message.’ He puffed out his chest and pointed both thumbs at himself before adding, ‘Although I’m not sure what my boss is going to say, but it’s his call. He sent me ’ere at the end of the day. So he’s gonna hafta put up with the consequences, isn’t he?’
‘Just out of interest, Jay, who is your boss?’ asked Alan who had sat down next to him.
‘Jeremy Dalmer.’
Everyone stared at him. Even Hannah had heard of Dalmer’s, the exclusive Mayfair three Michelin-starred restaurant.
‘Get out of here,’ said Fliss.
‘Straight up,’ said Jason, looking a little uncertain as they all stared at him. ‘What’s the big deal? He pees standing up, like the rest of us.’
Fliss arched an eyebrow.
‘You know what I mean. He’s just a bloke. Runs a restaurant.’
‘Jason,’ said Fliss. ‘There are only seven-three Michelin star restaurants in the UK. I suspect he’s extremely fussy about where his bacon comes from. Are you telling me you’re working in the kitchen of one of them?’
‘Yes,’ he said sliding out of his chair. ‘I’m off to get myself a beer. I’m not so keen on this fizzy stuff.’ As he walked over to the bar set up on the other side of the table, Meredith and Alan both began to laugh at the look of absolute shock on Fliss’s face as she sat back in her chair, her eyes goggling. She shook her head muttering, ‘I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it.’
‘Jason doesn’t realise he’s born,’ said Meredith. ‘But how lovely that a man like that has taken someone like him and invested in his future. Giving the boy a chance.’
Hannah shot her a sharp glance, wondering if she knew about his previous misdemeanours. ‘It’s all right, he told us all about it at the weekend. Talking of which…’
Everyone’s gaze turned towards her and she felt her face turn pink, just for a change. Would she ever grow out of this unfortunate ability to blush at the slightest thing?
‘Yes, Hannah. Dublin. With Conor,’ said Izzy.
‘He had to go to Dublin on business. He offered me a lift.’
Meredith smiled gently and leaned forward. ‘And I’m a flying pig. I’ve had two daughters – I’m not stupid.’
‘And you’ve got that recently shagged glow,’ added Izzy.
