slowly, her eyes fixed on mine. ‘Well, don’t drag Mags up to town; she can stay here and play with Lucy if you want.’ On hearing this Maggie starts dancing around me, clasping her hands under her chin and whispering ‘
pleeeease
’. It would make things easier for me, doing the shop without Maggie whinging that she’s hot and tired and wants to go home.
‘OK. If you’re sure? It really would help me out a lot.’ I smile at Laura and bend down to kiss Maggie goodbye. ‘Be good. I won’t be long.’
‘Take your time. And don’t worry – I won’t mention it to Charlie.’ Laura gives me a small smile in return and, taking Maggie’s hand, heads back indoors. I look after her retreating back, unsure of exactly what it is that I’m feeling.
An hour and a half later I make my way back up the garden path with four bags of shopping and fingers that are turning blue where the supermarket bags have cut off my circulation. Packing the shopping away I turn my attention to the rest of the house. I know that I am already in the dog house for not knowing or remembering about the dinner party (even I am not sure which it is now – you were so convinced on the phone that I DID know about it, now I am even doubting myself), so it’s vitally important that the house is up to scratch by the time everyone gets here. I spend another hour and a half scrubbing, tidying, emptying bins and polishing surfaces. I even get up in the loft and drag down the solid silver cutlery set we were given as a wedding present by my parents, and give it a good polish. Laying the table with a fresh white tablecloth and the freshly polished knives and forks, I am just stepping back to survey my handiwork when Laura’s face appears at the kitchen window. Smiling at her, I go to the back door to let her in.
‘Tah-dahhh! What do you think?’ I sweep my arms wide, displaying the laid table. ‘Does it look OK? I’m rubbish at this sort of stuff.’
‘Impressive. There’s something missing, though. Hang on.’ She disappears back down the path and returns two minutes later holding a bunch of pink and white alstroemeria, mixed with tiny pale pink rose buds. Judging by the water dripping from the ends, she’s pinched them from her own vase.
‘Perfect,’ she sighs, popping them into a vase and placing them in the middle as a centrepiece. I have to admit it does finish the table off perfectly.
‘Brilliant. You’re a genius – but tell me, who’s been buying you flowers?’ I tease, and she blushes.
‘Don’t be daft, Sal. I bought them for myself. Nobody’s bought me flowers since Jed left, and even before then it didn’t happen that often!’ She gives a sad chuckle. ‘Anyway, of course it looks perfect. Sometimes you just need a woman’s touch.’
‘Well, it looks brilliant. Charlie will be so impressed – speaking of which, thanks for looking after Maggie today. I really appreciate it, and I would also appreciate it if we don’t tell Charlie. It’s just less hassle, you know?’ I’m embarrassed to even say it, but I have to. I don’t want a row caused by one off-the-cuff remark. A look crosses Laura’s face, one that I’m not sure how to interpret.
‘Of course, Sal. No problem. Enjoy the dinner party, OK?’ Laura reaches up to kiss my cheek, and sweeps out of the back door. I stand there for a moment, before calling Maggie in and heading upstairs to get ready.
You arrive home later than expected, which is good in a way, as it means I am ready in plenty of time. I bathe Maggie and get her into her pyjamas before jumping in the shower and getting changed. You seem to have calmed down by the time the working day is done, so I go with it and don’t mention the fact that I wasn’t told about the dinner party again. The Hunters arrive on time and you are invited to call Mr Hunter Stan, a good sign if ever I saw one. I pour pre-dinner drinks and eventually we make our way to the table.
‘Starters are served!’ I push
pleeeease
’. It would make things easier for me, doing the shop without Maggie whinging that she’s hot and tired and wants to go home.
‘OK. If you’re sure? It really would help me out a lot.’ I smile at Laura and bend down to kiss Maggie goodbye. ‘Be good. I won’t be long.’
‘Take your time. And don’t worry – I won’t mention it to Charlie.’ Laura gives me a small smile in return and, taking Maggie’s hand, heads back indoors. I look after her retreating back, unsure of exactly what it is that I’m feeling.
An hour and a half later I make my way back up the garden path with four bags of shopping and fingers that are turning blue where the supermarket bags have cut off my circulation. Packing the shopping away I turn my attention to the rest of the house. I know that I am already in the dog house for not knowing or remembering about the dinner party (even I am not sure which it is now – you were so convinced on the phone that I DID know about it, now I am even doubting myself), so it’s vitally important that the house is up to scratch by the time everyone gets here. I spend another hour and a half scrubbing, tidying, emptying bins and polishing surfaces. I even get up in the loft and drag down the solid silver cutlery set we were given as a wedding present by my parents, and give it a good polish. Laying the table with a fresh white tablecloth and the freshly polished knives and forks, I am just stepping back to survey my handiwork when Laura’s face appears at the kitchen window. Smiling at her, I go to the back door to let her in.
‘Tah-dahhh! What do you think?’ I sweep my arms wide, displaying the laid table. ‘Does it look OK? I’m rubbish at this sort of stuff.’
‘Impressive. There’s something missing, though. Hang on.’ She disappears back down the path and returns two minutes later holding a bunch of pink and white alstroemeria, mixed with tiny pale pink rose buds. Judging by the water dripping from the ends, she’s pinched them from her own vase.
‘Perfect,’ she sighs, popping them into a vase and placing them in the middle as a centrepiece. I have to admit it does finish the table off perfectly.
‘Brilliant. You’re a genius – but tell me, who’s been buying you flowers?’ I tease, and she blushes.
‘Don’t be daft, Sal. I bought them for myself. Nobody’s bought me flowers since Jed left, and even before then it didn’t happen that often!’ She gives a sad chuckle. ‘Anyway, of course it looks perfect. Sometimes you just need a woman’s touch.’
‘Well, it looks brilliant. Charlie will be so impressed – speaking of which, thanks for looking after Maggie today. I really appreciate it, and I would also appreciate it if we don’t tell Charlie. It’s just less hassle, you know?’ I’m embarrassed to even say it, but I have to. I don’t want a row caused by one off-the-cuff remark. A look crosses Laura’s face, one that I’m not sure how to interpret.
‘Of course, Sal. No problem. Enjoy the dinner party, OK?’ Laura reaches up to kiss my cheek, and sweeps out of the back door. I stand there for a moment, before calling Maggie in and heading upstairs to get ready.
You arrive home later than expected, which is good in a way, as it means I am ready in plenty of time. I bathe Maggie and get her into her pyjamas before jumping in the shower and getting changed. You seem to have calmed down by the time the working day is done, so I go with it and don’t mention the fact that I wasn’t told about the dinner party again. The Hunters arrive on time and you are invited to call Mr Hunter Stan, a good sign if ever I saw one. I pour pre-dinner drinks and eventually we make our way to the table.
‘Starters are served!’ I push
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