Chapter 19
‘You made it,’ his father said greeting Brodie in the driveway. ‘Your mother will be happy. She’s cooked enough for ten.’
‘Who’s she invited?’ he asked hoping it was just family.
‘Just you, your sister and a friend of hers.’
Brodie recognised the look of amusement on his father’s face. ‘Please tell me she hasn’t been invited because Mum wants to introduce her to me?’
His father slipped an arm around Brodie’s shoulders. He was the same height as him at six feet one and his years working as a dentist had given him a calming way with anxious people. It was something Brodie appreciated.
‘Sorry, son. I’m afraid you taking on the lease for the veterinary practice hasn’t reassured your mother enough that you’re intending to stay on the island for the foreseeable future. I don’t think she has any intention of giving up on trying to find a partner for you until she believes you have no plans to pack up any time soon.’
Brodie stifled a groan. His mother had always found it difficult when he lived away from the island despite his sister never going. Poor Maddie, how did it all make her feel to have their mother behave in this way?
He had no sooner entered the hallway than his mother appeared from the kitchen and enveloped him in a hug. ‘You came!’
Biting back a retort he hugged her back. ‘Of course I did. Your meals are always the tastiest and I was looking forward to spending time with you all.’
‘I’m not sure I believe you.’ She kissed his cheek, then took hold of his wrist. ‘But that’s OK, I know you mean well.’ She began leading him through to the large kitchen–dining area. ‘Maddie is here already. Oh, and she’s brought a friend with her.’
Brodie fixed a smile onto his face. Even if his father hadn’t tipped him off he would have known his mother was up to something by the higher pitch to her voice. Anyway it wasn’t the poor girl’s fault; she had probably been set up. They entered the room and a pretty girl of about his age with a short, black bob stood by the sliding doors, a glass of wine in her hand. ‘This is Cathy.’
‘Hi,’ Cathy said raising her glass slightly to him and giving a friendly nod.
‘Nice to meet you,’ Brodie said automatically. ‘Hi, sis.’ He walked over to his sister and gave her a hug. ‘I haven’t seen you at the surgery yet. You should pop round and I can show you the place.’
‘I’d much rather have a look around your cottage.’
Brodie wished he had somewhere else to be so that he could make an excuse not to have to navigate his family. He loved them dearly but needed more energy than he had right now to cope with them all when they were together. ‘I’m not ready to redecorate it yet,’ he said, hoping but not expecting his newly qualified interior designer sister to be put off by that nugget of information.
‘Rubbish. I’ve heard on the grapevine that it’s in a terribly neglected state. Old Man Winter apparently invested any money he made back into the practice and didn’t bother updating his home. It must be horribly outdated.’
It was, and damp, but Brodie had no intention of admitting anything of the sort to Maddie. She was just as determined about things as their mother when she put her mind to it and he wanted to have a chance to get fully settled before even thinking about changing any decor. ‘I really don’t have the time to focus on it just yet.’
‘There’s no need for you to do anything,’ Maddie answered in her usual enthusiastic way. ‘You just leave everything to me.’
He couldn’t think of many worse things. ‘I’m not sure our tastes are that similar though,’ he said trying to be tactful since he knew Maddie’s style tended to veer towards busy floral wallpapers and heavily framed paintings, if the look of her recently decorated home was anything to go by. He doubted she would care about that, but it was worth a try.
‘I’m qualified to show you what’s best for your property.’ Their mother walked into the room carrying her own glass of wine. ‘Isn’t that right, Mum.’
He caught Cathy trying hide a smile as she took a drink from her glass before turning to stare at something out of the window.
‘It’s very kind of you to offer, Maddie,’ he said. ‘But I don’t have any spare cash to pay for your work.’
‘That’s fine,’ Maddie argued. ‘You can settle up whenever you do have some money. Anyway I can use the before and after photos for my portfolio.’
‘I think it’s very sweet of your sister to offer to do this for you, Brodie,’ their mother said proudly.
Brodie gave his father a pleading look.
‘Let’s leave Brodie alone, shall we?’ their father said, resting a hand on his shoulder. ‘The poor devil only recently took over the practice and must be exhausted from working all day.’
‘It has been a tiring week,’ Brodie agreed.
‘But I said you could leave the cottage to me,’ Maddie argued. ‘You won’t need to do anything.’
‘Madison,’ their father barked. ‘That’s enough. I’m sure your brother will let you know when and, more importantly, if he wants you to do any decoration.’
‘I will,’ Brodie said, relieved to see his sister press her lips together and end the subject. ‘But I appreciate your offer, Maddie.’
Soothed by his thanks, she shrugged. ‘I know you do.’
Their mother waved for their attention. ‘The food is just about ready, so we may as well be seated.’
After finishing their roast chicken supper, Brodie began to relax and started to enjoy the evening with his family and Cathy.
‘So tell us a bit about yourself, Cathy. How long have you known this one, for example?’ Brodie cocked his head in his sister’s direction and grinned.
‘I’ve known Maddie since we met at a mutual friend’s engagement party a couple of years ago.’
‘I see.’ He couldn’t recall his sister mentioning her before, but then again, when was the last time they had sat and had a catch-up? ‘And do you mind me asking what you do, workwise?’
He was intrigued to find out more about the pleasant girl who didn’t seem remotely fazed by his sister’s enthusiasm towards most things. She was clearly very fond of Maddie and he liked her even more for that. Maddie wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and as much as his older sister’s bossiness drove him nuts on occasion, he loved her deeply and hated to think that anyone might dislike her.
‘I’m a radiographer.’
‘Yes, another medical person,’ Maddie said smiling. ‘I’m surrounded by them.’
‘I’m not a medical person,’ their mother said.
‘Mum, you were a dentist, like Dad.’ She looked at Cathy. ‘My parents met at dentistry school and Mum fell pregnant with me so didn’t end up qualifying but married Dad instead.’
‘Er, thank you, Madison,’ her mother snapped. ‘I’ll thank you not to share my, um…’
‘Past?’ Maddie offered blowing a kiss at their mother.
‘Well, yes.’ Their mother looked at Cathy. ‘Not that I’d change anything about it you understand.’
‘No, of course not.’
‘I’m a retired dentist,’ their father said, Brodie suspected to divert attention away from their angry mother. ‘And you know that Brodie’s a vet. My father was a dentist too, but retired now of course.’
‘I think she gets the message.’ Maddie laughed. ‘Honestly, I wish I hadn’t said anything now.’
‘So do I,’ their mother said pointedly.
‘This food is delicious.’ Brodie indicated his almost clean plate. He grinned at Cathy. ‘I’m sure you can’t wait until you’re invited to join us for another meal.’
Cathy laughed. ‘I’ve had a wonderful time, and,’ she added turning to their mother, ‘Maddie told me you were an excellent cook, Mrs Murray, and she wasn’t kidding. Thank you again for inviting me.’
Clever woman, Brodie thought, seeing his mother’s expression lighten up immediately at the compliment. ‘You’re very welcome, Cathy. If only my daughter’s manners matched yours.’
‘Is there any pudding, Jane?’
Another diversion from their father, Brodie noted, eating the last mouthful of his meal. Poor Dad has probably spent most of his married life finding ways to divert their mother’s attention from things that might upset or offend her.
Brodie helped Maddie with the washing up before joining the others for coffee.
‘That was delicious, Mum,’ Maddie said. ‘I know, why don’t we all go to the pub for a quick drink?’
‘I won’t, thank you,’ Jane said. ‘But you four go.’
‘I’ll stay here,’ their father said pretending to yawn.
‘I’m tired too,’ Brodie said looking forward to an early night.
‘No chance.’ Maddie stood and collected Brodie and Cathy’s empty coffee cups. ‘You two are coming with me. We only have to have one, but it’ll be fun and a perfect way to spend the rest of our evening.’
He wasn’t sure he wanted to go but not wishing to have another argument with his sister, especially when the evening had been going so well, he agreed. ‘Just the one though.’