Chapter 8
‘At least one of us is happy,’ I said.
Joyce wore a beaming smile as she charged towards us and although pleased to see it, I couldn’t deny her delight came as a surprise. It was also contagious and Hattie and I both found ourselves grinning, eager to hear what had brought Joyce such glee.
When Richard retired Joyce had anticipated that after years of nine-to-five he’d need time to adapt.
That there would be a settling in period when it came to his new routine.
What Joyce hadn’t expected was the impact this change would have on her, because instead of enjoying his newfound freedom, Richard developed the human version of lost puppy syndrome.
He’d seemed lost, confused and in need of guidance.
Until he found the joy of cooking. But that brought with it a whole new set of problems and in the six months we’d known each other, Joyce had had two main topics of conversation – divorce and murder.
‘Sorry I’m late. But I had some news to break to Richard.’
‘Good news, I see,’ Hattie said.
‘Do tell,’ I said. ‘I need cheering up.’
Unable to contain herself, Joyce put her coat to one side and took a seat. ‘Remember me saying if Richard continued insisting he’s Gordon Ramsey, I’d have to act? Well, he finally pushed me over the edge.’
Having experienced Richard’s cooking, the word understandable sprang to my mind.
‘And that’s a good thing because…?’ Hattie asked, confused.
I chuckled, dreading to think. ‘What did he do?’
‘Only the worst thing imaginable.’ Joyce let out a laugh. ‘He informed me he’d be making Christmas dinner. Leaving me no choice but to do the only thing I could…’ Her gaze went from Hattie to me. Eyebrows raised, she clearly wanted us to guess what that was.
‘Pack your bags?’ Hattie asked.
‘See a divorce lawyer?’ I asked.
Joyce shook her head.
‘You’ve put him on a flight to Nial’s like you suggested?’ Hattie said.
If Joyce had booked Richard on a flight, I hoped she planned on joining him. Video calls might be better than nothing, but they weren’t the same as Joyce being able to physically hug her son and his family.
‘Even better.’ Joyce clapped her hands. ‘I’ve booked us on a cruise.’ She squealed. ‘A festive cruise. We leave on Christmas Eve.’
My eyes widened in surprise. Despite having a reputation for getting things done, even I’d have needed more than two days to pull that off. ‘I’m impressed.’
Hattie put a hand up to her chest. ‘Me too. But how? At such short notice.’
‘Sally at Elite Travel found it for me. Through one of her special contacts, of course.’
Wishing I could sail off into the sunset, it was good to know at least one of us was going to have a great Christmas. I nudged Joyce’s arm. ‘I hope you’ve got a couple of posh dresses. You know, for when you dine at the captain’s table.’
‘How does Richard feel about this?’ Hattie asked.
‘Unless he’s prepared to lose a whole lot of money, it doesn’t matter how he feels.’ Joyce wiggled her shoulders in excitement. ‘I waited until it was arranged and paid for before I told him.’
‘A woman after my own heart,’ I said.
‘I’m so excited, you wouldn’t believe. It’s years since I’ve had a holiday.’ Joyce rose to her feet. ‘I think this calls for a celebration, don’t you?’ She gave us a little shimmy. ‘Cocktails all round, is it?’
Hattie and I watched Joyce turn on her heels and head to the bar. Richard’s retirement had been quite the ride, and it was good to see her with a spring in her step.
‘I’d rather a cruise than Christmas at the Mayhew’s,’ Hattie said.
I considered what I had in store. ‘Think yourself lucky. At least you’ll get to celebrate. Apart from watching the King’s College Choir with Mum, which she insists on every year no matter what, I’ll be spending mine making PowerPoint slides.’