And such beautiful manners.
Hints I’d ignored, of course, because Leif only brought up the topic to take the heat off himself. Thirty-two and not yet married. The scandal!
‘Was he the one who used to moon after you. Red face? A snotty nose?’
‘None of those descriptions ring any bells.’
‘Blond and posh?’
I sort of shrug. She could be thinking of the same boy.
‘That kid used to inspire your dad to hum “Greensleeves”.’
‘What?’ I feel my expression twist.
‘“Greensleeves.” You know? Because of his nose.’ She pretends to wipe the arm of her cashmere sweater under her nose.
‘Eww. That I definitely don’t remember.’
‘I hope he’s grown out of the habit. Especially if he passed you the gravy boat on Sunday.’
‘He’s a grown up now.’ Not to mention a doctor. ‘He must’ve grown out of any grottiness.’ Mir shrugs, unconvinced. ‘I bloody hope so because I kind of, sort of, said he could take me out.’
‘Oh. Well. I suppose that’s nice.’ Talk about a lukewarm response. ‘So there’s nothing going on between you and the office hottie?’
‘Nothing worth reporting.’ Nothing that will come to anything. So I suppose I should move on. One swallow (and one torrid night following a wedding) does not a girlfriend make.
‘When’s the big day?’
‘I’m not sure. As I’d walked him out to his car on Sunday, he’d asked me in quite a courtly fashion if he might keep in contact with me by email. He’s a doctor and working in Somalia at the minute forMédecins Sans Frontières.’
‘I bet Aunt Polly was all over that.’
‘She was all over him, all right. All over singing my praises, and bigging me up. It was embarrassing.’
‘Really? That’s hilarious!’
‘Maybe for you. He was no sooner out of the driveway when she reminded me not everyone gets to marry a millionaire art dealer.’
‘Bloody classic!’ Mir begins to cackle, almost rolling around in her chair. ‘Come on, Heth. Chop, chop. You’re twenty-five—almost past your prime!’
‘That’s okay because I only feel about five when she starts. Miranda already had a baby by the time she was your age,’ I parrot, mimicking Mum. It really is no wonder I tell her as little as I can get away with.
‘Ha! Like I’m so special. A baby on the way and no husband back then.’
‘True. Pregnant and no man. Well, apart from the mega rich dude chasing you.’
‘Did someone say my name?’ Harry kisses me on the cheek, bringing with it the brisk freshness of outside.’ ‘Hello, Heather. How’s things?’
‘Fair,’ I reply.
‘Heather has a date with a doctor.’
‘Nothing contagious, I hope.’
‘Urgh, dad jokes, Harry? Or should I call you mega rich dude.’
‘No, only Miranda calls me that when we’re role playing, isn’t that right, darling?’ He moves to his wife, kissing her cheek and making her squeal as he hugs her by sticking his cold hands under her sweater.
