Chapter 90
NINETY
Lorna was making herself some lunch when her phone rang. She stopped buttering her sandwich and looked at the screen – it was her mum. She knew what the call was going to be about, knew it would be better to confront it sooner rather than later.
‘Hi, Mum.’
‘Thanks for a lovely lunch on Saturday,’ said Carol.
‘A pleasure.’
‘Yes, it was good to see you all again. And Pepper is as mad about animals as ever.’ She paused. ‘Why did you tell Simon I’d bought that dog for her?’
Laura pretended not to remember at first. ‘Dog? Oh! I didn’t.’
Carol was taken aback. ‘So why did he think I had?’
‘You know men. Never pay attention. Think he got it mixed up with the cuddly toy you got her for Christmas. You know, the Dalmatian puppy? One toy dog is the same as another in his eyes.’
Lorna held her breath, could almost see her mother processing this, wondering whether to believe her daughter or not.
‘That’s strange,’ said Carol. ‘They look quite different to me.’
Lorna swallowed. ‘Yes, well, me too. But honestly, I have a haircut and Simon doesn’t notice.’ She gave a forced laugh. ‘What can you do?’