40. Nigel
NIGEL
‘Morning,’ Mark said. ‘You look tired again. Have you been to the gym already?’
Nigel looked up from his bowl of porridge. ‘No, I had a terrible night’s sleep.’
‘Woman trouble?’ Mark asked as he made himself a coffee.
‘In a way.’
‘You haven’t fallen out with Helen, have you?’
‘No, what makes you say that?’
‘Lucy heard you come in about eleven last night. We assumed you’d be staying out later than that.’
‘Why?’
‘You and Helen have been spending a lot of time together since you got back. We thought, you know, things might have progressed.’ He pulled a face.
Nigel huffed. ‘Chance would be a fine thing.’
‘She’s given you the brush-off?’
‘Not exactly. But it’s obvious she’s not looking for a new relationship, and I’ve come to the conclusion I shouldn’t be either. I need to get the situation with Madison sorted out first.’
‘If you change your mind and there’s anything Lucy and I can do to encourage things along, just say.’
‘Sounds like you’ve inherited the matchmaking gene from our beloved mother.’
Nancy walked in through the back door.‘Who’s matchmaking?’
‘No one,’ Mark said. ‘I appreciate that is your exclusive preserve round here. I was only enquiring why Nige looked tired, that’s all.’
‘You do look tired, darling. Is everything ok?’
‘I was up late mulling things over, that’s all. Is that offer of joining you for your eclipse trip to New York still open?’
‘Of course, we’d be delighted to have you there. I’ve already booked the flights for everyone else, though, so you’ll have to sort out your own tickets. I’ll dig out the flight numbers.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ve got a few things to do in New York first. I’ll make my own way over to the lake. Just give me the address where you’re stopping.’
‘Whatever suits you. You could bring Helen if you like?’
He noticed Mark give her a “shut up now” glare.
‘Or not. Entirely up to you.’
‘It will just be me.’ He hastily changed the subject before his mother started interrogating him as well. ‘How’s the treehouse build going?’
Mark’s face lit up. ‘Brilliantly. We’re at the second fix stage now.’
‘Hel said she was working on socket locations.’
‘Yes, the furniture should start turning up next week. It’s all coming together better than I ever expected.
I think we’re in with a very good chance of scooping up a tourist board award.
I just need to decide which category to enter.
If you’re not doing anything this morning, pop in and see what you think. ’
‘I might just do that.’