‘Yes!’ Nell’s shout breaks through the horrified silence. ‘That’s a date! You were both at the singles event, so it has got a cupid after all!’
Sophie’s shaking her head. ‘But they didn’t coincide. By the time David came Mum had gone.’
Milla frowns. ‘Are wesureabout that?’
Sophie’s snapping. ‘Yes, we are! Aren’t we, Mum?’
Mum winces for a second, then she firms up. ‘There’s no point asking me if I wasn’t there.’
Nell splutters on a mouthful of wakame. ‘Bugger technicalities, a date’s a date! The cupid’s in the bag.’
I was too appalled to say anything at first, but I have to challenge Mum on this. ‘So – this date with Mr Byron.’ I may as well parade it for what it is. ‘Will you go?’
Mum takes such a deep breath her chest heaves out of the water. ‘I think I may.’
I can overlook Plum throwing herself at Rye because her hormones are ruling her head, but I thought I could count on Mum. I let out a shout. ‘What about your sense of loyalty? Or does the offer of a fancy meal with the local billionaire mean family solidarity goes out the window?’
My mum looks wounded and when she finally speaks her voice is quiet. ‘I was hoping it might help.’
That’s so unbelievable, I’m bemused. ‘Help –how?’ Anything with David Byron is bad. Accepting his dinner invitation feels like the betrayal couldn’tbeany bigger.
Clemmie’s stroking Arnie’s head. ‘A view from the inside is always useful, Flossie Flapjack-face.’
Plum nods. ‘It’s only an extension of what we’re doing now.’
‘Which, for the record, I was a hundred per cent against.’ I may as well remind them.
My mum purses her lips and looks at me. ‘That’s why working with Kit is such a great opportunity foryou.’
It’s as if Clemmie’s peering inside my head and picking up on my secret thoughts. ‘Youaregoing to accept the Latitude job, Floss?’
I came here tonight determined to refuse it, but if what they’re implying iskeep your friends close and your enemies closer, I might have to think again.
Clemmie’s tugging at the hem of my bathrobe. ‘Word on the street says Kit was like a puppy dog in the ice-cream van. If you’re holding off working with him because he’s really into you, that’s a valid consideration.’
‘Excuse me?’
Milla calls from the hot tub. ‘I’ve told you this all along, Aunty Flo.’
Clemmie grins. ‘Whenever you’re together it’s obvious how much he likes you. But you finding that hard to cope with in a work situation would be a good reason to turn down his offer.’
My chest is imploding that she’s got this completely back to front. I might have to take the job, if only to prove to everyone it’s not true.
I’m desperately struggling to come up with a denial, then I realise Plum is looking at me. ‘Youdoknow Dillon’s planning a trip here later in the summer?’
I didn’t, but if she’s bringing this up because of what Clemmie’s said about Kit, it’s bad news all round. ‘That’ll be nice for Dillon. That surely wouldn’t affect my working at Kit’s though?’
As she sees I’m not being drawn on this, she looks away. ‘Kit’s coming into view now, walking up from the beach, so we might want to stop talking about him.’ Plum’s gazing at the distant pools of light, two tiers down on the Teletubby lawn. Then her voice shoots up an octave. ‘And Rye is with him too.’
If Kit and Rye are on their way, even though I’m in a one-piece under my robe, I’d still rather be submerged in the tub before they arrive. I’d also like to stop Plum from launching into her full seduction routine with Rye.
As Clemmie catches my eye, it’s obvious she’s thinking the same. ‘Why don’t you all get into the water, and I’ll take some photos before it gets too late for Arnie.’
I skirt behind Plum. ‘After you!’ As she tosses away her robe, and I follow her into the tub I’m thanking my lucky stars that we’ve saved Rye from those barely-there bottoms.
As we take our places, our arms hooked around the tub edge, Sophie kicks my foot. ‘So what about the job at Kit’s? Are you going to think about it?’
‘Absolutely!’ It’s out before I can stop it, and I avoid catching Milla’s eye. ‘You lot are right. It’s solid gold, Ihaveto take it.’
