Chapter Thirty
Hattie found herself taken into Rose and Sam’s comfortable, comforting home. She ended up on the huge squishy sofa, a colourful throw wrapped around her, a glass of red wine in her hand, while Sam made a fire in the big old inglenook fireplace and Rose made cheese on toast.
‘I’m sorry I can’t offer you supper,’ she said. ‘We’re doing intermittent fasting so ate very early.’
‘Although I could easily knock up some quick pasta,’ said Sam, now he’d got the fire going.
‘Honestly, cheese on toast is perfect. Just the smell is making me start to relax.’
‘I’ve got some fantastic olives,’ said Sam. ‘If you’re in the mood for snacks.’ He left the room, heading for the kitchen.
‘You know food is his love language,’ said Rose. ‘Now, tell me everything. I want to know all the details, and not just how Clive changed the locks on Mary’s house. Start with Luke on Friday night.’
It seemed to be several lifetimes ago, instead of just a couple of days.
Hattie was being too slow to finish her mouthful for Rose. ‘Were you happy with your outfit? The silk dress?’
‘Oh, yes, I was! I actually went to the hairdresser and had my hair put up. With the flower from your shop behind my ear. It did feel pretty good.’
‘What did Luke think?’
To her surprise, she realised she was blushing. She hoped Rose wouldn’t notice, given that she was already blotchy from crying. ‘I think he liked it. He looked very good himself. He scrubs up well.’
Rose didn’t comment. ‘And what are his friends like?’
Hattie crunched a sourdough crust. ‘A bit daunting. At least, I think I felt daunted because they’d all known each other for years and looked at me as if I were a mythical creature. One of them told me they didn’t think Luke knew any women, let alone that Luke had a girlfriend.’
Rose pursed her lips but didn’t comment. ‘But you passed muster?’
Hattie thought back. ‘Yes, I did.’
‘And what was the dinner like?’
‘Fairly boring. And Luke didn’t win the award he was up for.’
‘And you had a room? How was sharing it?’
‘Rose! Is this some form of interrogation? It was absolutely fine. The bed was massive. Then I had to get up very early to leave.’
‘And so, you and Luke—’
‘You know there is no “me and Luke”, Rose.’
‘You can’t give your sentimental friend a little hope that one day you and Luke will be more than best buddies?’
Hattie shook her head and took an olive from the bowl that had just appeared at her side. ‘You know me. I can’t risk losing him.’ But was she still so sure she would lose him? She felt more confused about Luke than ever.
Rose pursed her lips again. ‘OK, so tell me about your parents’ party.’
Hattie took a big sip of wine, draining the glass. ‘Well! The big news there was that I forgot my outfit!’
Sam topped up her wine and put another bowl next to the olives. ‘Chocolate-covered almonds with sea salt. I made them myself.’
‘You forgot your outfit?’ Rose was horrified.
‘Sam? You are an actual angel.’ Hattie squeezed his arm before he retreated to the other sofa.
She turned to Rose. ‘I know! I had so many lists. I remembered everything – your bag of emergency supplies really came into its own. I was super-organised and yet, somehow, the outfit is still on its hanger, under its cover, in Mary’s house which I may never get into again. ’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that!’ said Rose with a flap of her hand. ‘We’ll break in. So what did you wear instead?’
‘My peacock-coloured silk dress! Lennie lent me her black leather jacket and a little neckerchief. To try to make it more daytime.’
‘I do hope there are pictures,’ said Rose.
‘There are loads. Some on my phone. Do you want to look now?’
‘Later,’ said Rose. ‘I want to know about Mary.’
This was the less entertaining bit of the story and by the time Hattie had finished it, Sam and Rose were both looking angry.
Hattie suddenly felt tireder than ever. ‘Honestly, I seem to have spent so much time sorting out everyone else and yet somehow I’m homeless, again, and depending on good friends for a roof over my head.’
‘Which, considering your line of work, could be seen as bad management,’ said Sam.
‘But not your fault!’ Rose put in hastily. ‘You haven’t done anything wrong and yet—’
‘I still find myself in this ridiculous situation,’ said Hattie. ‘I am definitely going to make finding myself a home, that’s mine to live in, a top priority. Just as soon as Mary is properly settled.’
‘I have to leave really early tomorrow. I’ve got a meeting,’ said Sam. ‘But if you two want to break into Mary’s house in the morning, I’ll dig out my tools.’
‘It seems the only answer,’ said Hattie.
‘Haven’t you got a locksmith on speed dial?’ asked Rose, possibly shocked by Hattie’s reaction to the problem.
‘Of course, but the call-out fee is terrifying. I’d rather deal with this ourselves if we can.’
‘I’ll call Anne and ask her to open up the shop for me,’ said Rose. ‘Now, Hattie? What else do you need?’
After a little more chatting and nibbling Hattie got into a scented bath that Rose had run for her. Then she picked her way round the numerous boxes of stock for the shop that filled Rose and Sam’s spare bedroom, got into bed and slept.