‘Fortunately, we had no brainings on the golf course today,’ said Laurence. ‘But you never know. It might happen tomorrow. And if it does, you two will be first to know.’
The twins looked pleased at the anticipation of this event.
Teddy poked his head around the door of the small living room. ‘Dinner’s ready!’
‘Oh thank God,’ said Isabelle. ‘I’m starvatious.’
‘We had the nicest lunch today,’ said Killian, slipping off his chair. But then while Nessa was standing up, Isabelle elbowed him sharply, giving him a dagger look.
‘Oh really?’ said Nessa. ‘What did Dad make for you?’
‘He made…’ Isabelle and Killian were looking at each other. ‘It involved vegetables,’ said Isabelle.
‘Oh, yes, definitely vegetables,’ said Killian.
‘And fruit,’ said Isabelle. ‘Lots of fruit.’ She smiled at her mother.
Laurence was tousling the twins’ hair with both hands, beaming at them. ‘We only eat nutritionally balanced meals, don’t we, kids?’
‘Oh yes,’ they chorused.
‘Well, I’m delighted to hear it,’ said Nessa. ‘I was busy with the accounts for the hotel.’ She looked at Rosie. ‘Eight months in a row, we’ve made a profit. We’re doing really well. And I was looking at money in, money pending compared to money out for the wedding, and we’re actually going to make a profit of four per cent.’
‘Four per cent doesn’t sound very much,’ said Isabelle. ‘It’s what Killian got in his maths test.’ It was Killian’s turn to elbow her now.
Teddy joined them. ‘I almost forgot!’ he said, dashing in. ‘Isabelle, get the matches. Killian, you’re both on duty. We need to light Granny’s candle. Ready, you two?’
It had been a ritual on these Wednesday nights for years that the twins, as soon as they were old enough to hold a match, would light their grandmother’s candle.
‘Right, say a few words,’ said Teddy, as he struck the match and passed it to Isabelle’s careful hand.
‘Dear Granny,’ she said, ‘we love you so much and forever and ever and wish you were here with us forever and ever, amen.’ She held the flame to the candle, waiting for it to catch.
‘Beautifully done,’ said Teddy, winking at Rosie and Nessa.
‘My turn,’ said Killian, his eyes shut tightly. ‘Granny, thank you for making our mother and for making our aunt Rosie because we love them both very much.’
Rosie and Nessa smiled at each other.
‘And thank you for marrying Granddad,’ said Isabelle, refusing to be outdone, ‘because if you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have made Mum and Rosie, so thank you very much. Amen.’
‘Lovely,’ said Teddy, who took a moment to look at the photograph of Sarah, as though meeting her gaze.
‘And Daddy, thank you for marrying Mummy, because then we wouldn’t be here,’ said Killian.
And Laurence and Nessa smiled at each other briefly. ‘You’re welcome,’ said Laurence. ‘I just can’t believe your mother puts up with me.’
‘Nor can I,’ said Nessa, rolling her eyes.
‘Now, dinner,’ said Teddy, turning away from the photograph. ‘Who’s ready for lasagne?’ And he went into the kitchen, a twin on either side of him, their small arms around his waist.
14
PATRICK
Patrick hadn’t warmed to Rosie’s husband. Laurence was friendly, almost Labrador-like, in an overexcited, slightly slobbery way… just not what Patrick imagined she would end up with. He’d joined them in the bar and Laurence was telling them that he’d just had dinner with the family. ‘Lasagne cooked by my delightful father-in-law,’ he said. ‘I’m very lucky that, although I can’t cook, I’m surrounded by those who can.’
‘You’re married to the family who own the hotel?’ asked Kate.
