My Year of Saying No - Maxine Morrey Page 0,21

was fine. Also, talking of Jess and Harry, they’re having an engagement party at some point. I don’t know when, but Jess said to let you know there’ll be an invitation wending its way to you.’

‘Oh, how sweet. Will that be in London?’

I shrugged. ‘I literally know as much as you do at the moment. But yes, I expect so.’

‘And how’s work?’ Dad asked, and I gave his arm a little squeeze, thanking him for the swerve in conversational direction.

‘Good, thanks. Been really busy with a new client and Seb’s charity is having a big gala thing later in the year, so I’m getting involved in the organisation of that, which is quite full on.’

‘You’re not doing too much, are you, love?’

‘No, Mum. It’s all fine. I’m enjoying it.’

‘And Seb is the veterans’ charity chap, right?’

‘That’s him.’

‘He all right? I know you said you’re quite friendly now.’ As this came from Dad, I knew there was no hidden depth to the question.

‘Yes. Busy.’ I assumed he was anyway, as there was still nothing to show he’d read my message from last night when I looked earlier, which was pretty unusual. And he always sent me a hi in the morning. Except that today he hadn’t.

I pulled out my phone and glanced at it. Nothing.

‘Talking of busy…’ The fayre was packed, the bright crisp day combined with the artisan offerings having enticed people out of doors. Dad bent and picked up the dog, manoeuvring him into a comfy position for both of them. ‘We don’t want you getting trodden on down there, do we, little man?’

I smiled at them both. I loved that my big bear of a dad had such a soft side and, by the looks of things, so did Humph, who was now surveying the scene from this new, elevated position.

‘Ooh, these look good!’ Mum said, grabbing my hand and plunging us into the foody fray.

The trouble with these foody events is that you end up eating far, far too much. The sun had long set and I was sat sprawled on one of the sofas in the beamed living room of their cottage, while Mum and Dad sat opposite. Dad’s feet were up on the pouffe cum coffee table thing and his head was back, as he snored softly. Dinner had been large and delicious and I was having trouble keeping awake myself.

‘You can always stay here, darling. You know there’s room. I know it’s not far, but it seems silly to go home if you’re coming back for Sunday roast tomorrow.’ Mum looked at me for a moment. ‘You are coming, aren’t you? Sally’s mentioned that she might be bringing someone with her.’

‘Wouldn’t it be helpful for you to know whether she is or isn’t?’

Mum waved away the query. ‘You know I always cook too much. I didn’t like to ask too many questions as she hasn’t been able to make it for a while, what with her shifts and hectic social life.’

As opposed to my very much not hectic social life which found me quite often around at my parents’ place for Sunday lunch.

‘What’s this one then?’ My sister’s standards in her housekeeping and dress extended to her men. They were always, and without exception, groomed to within an inch of their lives, dressed expensively, and never earned less than six figures.

‘Oh, I don’t know. Something in the City, I think. Or is this one the pilot?’

Dad stretched as he roused himself from his nap and Mum looked at him for help, but he just shrugged.

‘Best behaviour then? Better not show her up,’ I said, straightening myself up and standing ramrod straight. I saw Dad grin and give me a wink.

‘Come on, Lottie. You know she doesn’t think that about you… us.’

I was less convinced, and if I was honest, I wasn’t sure Mum was entirely sure of this fact either. Sally had always been ambitious and loved her glamorous lifestyle of jetting across the world, staying in top hotels, and meeting the rich and famous through the first-class cabin status she’d worked her way up to. I wasn’t sure it was all that glamorous – at least not all the time. In the odd unguarded moment, Sally had mentioned that not everyone who travelled first class had first-class manners. As much as she loved her job, and had dealt with enough tricky customers over the years for it to be accepted that this sort of thing was all part of it, I think it