‘The only thing Mum is an expert on isEastEnders,’ Angel piped up.
Hayley put a hand to her chest and looked shocked. ‘You’ve burned me! I also happen to be an expert on hits of the year 2000.’
‘That takes me back. 2000, pleather before it was pleather and Madonna’s “Music”,’ Dean said.
‘I concur. I graced a few dance floors to that one,’ Vernon joined in.
‘You never did!’ Dean said, smiling.
‘Just because we haven’t been out dancing yet doesn’t mean I can’t,’ Vernon said.
‘OK, Fred and Ginger, no spats at the dinner table,’ Hayley said.
‘Did you know Madonna is afraid of thunder?’ Angel said, sipping from her glass of Coke.
‘What? You’ve made that up,’ Hayley said.
Angel shook her head. ‘I read it somewhere.’
Hayley nudged Vernon’s arm. ‘See what I mean? Child genius.’
Angel smiled and looked at Dean. ‘We met Mr Meanie’s personal assistant today, Uncle Dean.’
‘I’ve heard all about it,’ Dean replied.
‘And we really don’t need to hear any more,’ Hayley added. She screwed her face up at Angel, pushing her tongue forward in her mouth and jutting out her chin.
‘Isn’t that a form of swearing in America?’ Angel asked loudly.
‘So what did you think of the offices?’ Dean asked.
‘It’s massive! How many floors does it have?’ Angel asked.
‘You mean you don’t know?’ Hayley teased.
‘Eighty. And it’s quite a workout if you take the stairs,’ Dean answered.
‘Do you have to rehydrate at the top?’ Angel held her empty glass aloft. ‘Can I have some more Coke?’
‘I’ll get you some,’ Vernon said, rising from his chair.
‘Oh, Angel, go with him. He has trouble with the ice machine,’ Dean encouraged.
‘OK. Vern, can we let Randy out of the spare bedroom when we’ve finished eating?’ Angel asked as she got up.
‘As long as you keep him away from the cushions,’ Dean answered.
‘There we go,’ Vernon said. ‘As long as he stays away from the precious fripperies.’
Hayley couldn’t help smiling. The two men sounded like an old married couple. It was nice. She hadn’t seen Dean this happy or settled before. She waited for Angel to make it to the kitchen area then put a hand on Dean’s arm.
‘So could you watch Angel for me tonight? So I can go to Vipers and ask if anyone remembers Michel?’ Hayley’s heart jumped into her throat. ‘It is still there, isn’t it?’
‘Yeah, it’s still there but…’ Dean started.
‘I know Vernon is here and everything, but it’s late; she’ll be asleep the second her head hits the pillow, I promise.’
Despite having no luck in the gallery today, her stomach wasfizzing with anticipation about visiting Vipers. The place she’d met Angel’s father. There was a chance, maybe a small chance, that he might even be there. Just because ten years might have gone by didn’t meaneverythinghad changed.
