‘Okay,’ she said gently.
20
Lily slipped on her lightweight cardigan over her T-shirt and jeans and adjusted it as she stood before the mirror at Pippin Cottage. She and Nick were supposed to see a movie in Silverton and then have dinner. She ran downstairs to set Gran up for the evening.
Gran was organised with some delicious cold meats, salad and some cold hard-boiled eggs and a glass of white wine for dinner. Lily had got her a little tray table so she could eat it in her armchair and watch some of her favourite quiz shows while she ate.
‘It’s like I’m in first class on a plane,’ Gran said when Lily had arranged everything.
‘Have you ever been in first class on a plane?’ Lily asked her with a smile.
‘I’ve never been on a plane.’ Gran giggled. ‘But it’s not too late. I might put it on my bucket list for when I turn one hundred.’
‘Excellent,’ Lily said as she saw Nick coming up the path through the window.
‘Okay, Nick’s here,’ she said. ‘I won’t be late.’
Nick came into the cottage and kissed Lily on the cheek and then Violet.
‘How are you, Violet?’ he asked.
‘Still alive, which is good news, I think.’ She cackled to herself.
‘You look beautiful,’ he said to Lily and she felt the familiar flutter in her stomach when she was around him.
Soon they were on their way, chatting in the car when Nick’s phone rang.
‘It’s my mum,’ he said. ‘I better get it. She doesn’t usually ring at this time.’ He took the call on his hands-free device.
‘Hi, Mum, I’m in the car with Lily,’ he said.
‘Hello, Lily, I’m Maureen. Nick talks about you all the time. He says you have a lovely voice. We’re looking forward to hearing you sing in the show.’
Lily grinned at Nick, knowing she was blushing. ‘Thank you, Maureen, that’s so nice to hear.’
‘How can I help, Mum?’ Nick said firmly, clearly trying to keep his mum on track.
‘It’s your father,’ Maureen said, frustration in her voice.
‘Okay, what about him?’
‘He says he’s going to get up the ladder,’ Maureen said.
‘Why?’
‘Because the smoke alarm is beeping and the man can’t come until tomorrow and he said if it doesn’t stop he’ll go and sleep in the garden if I don’t let him change it.’
Nick shook his head, ‘No, he’s not getting up a ladder. Do you know how many people go to hospital being up ladders over fifty?’
‘Yes, you and your sister are always telling me. That’s why I’m calling you now.’
‘We’re on our way to a movie,’ Nick said.
‘It won’t take long, I promise,’ said Maureen. ‘Otherwise he’ll get up that ladder and you know he’s a bit wobbly because of his tinnitus.’
Nick sighed and looked at Lily and mouthed the word ‘sorry’ to her but she stifled a giggle.
‘Go,’ she whispered.
