‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Oh, you know, Lily, you didn’t make very much of yourself back in those days. I even thought at one stage that you were a lesbian.’
‘Mum!’ She laughs again, clearly enjoying herself. ‘What about Dan? Did you thinkhewas out of my league?’
‘Absolutely. Darling, didn’t you? I mean, look how that turned out.’
Now I’m properly stung.
‘Oh honey, don’t be upset. Look at you now – you’re gorgeous. Richard is a very, very lucky young man.’
‘He’s asked me to marry him.’
‘What?’
I cringe, inwardlyandoutwardly. I wasn’t planning on telling her, but it just came out.
‘What did you say?’ she asks when I don’t speak.
‘I said yes,’ I tell her.
‘Did you?’ She looks surprised, and not pleasantly so.
‘Yes, I did.’
‘Oh.’ The corners of her mouth turn down and she picks up her sandwich.
‘Is that all you’re going to say?’ Now I’m getting cross again.
‘What do you want me to say?’
‘Congratulations would be nice.’
‘Congratulations, darling.’
‘But you don’t mean it!’
‘You know what I’m like about tying the knot. I didn’t think anybody did that these days.’
‘Well, they do. And I’m going to. Okay?’
‘Of course. It’s your life.’
‘Oh, you are really pissing me off now.’ I throw my sandwich down on my plate in disgust.
‘Don’t be so sensitive,’ she chides, which doesn’t help. Neither of us speaks for a while. I sit there, refusing to eat because I’m fuming. ‘Have you got an engagement ring?’ she asks.
‘Don’t you think I’d be wearing it if I did?’
‘Are you going to get one?’ she goes on, ignoring me.
‘No.’
‘Really? I thought Richard could afford an engagement ring.’
‘He can, Mum, but I don’t want one.’
‘Don’t you? Free diamonds are the only good thing about getting married, as far as I’m concerned.’
