“No offence, John, but I’d really rather our kids develop slightly better manners than you.”
“You’ll struggle there I’m afraid, love,” Mrs York said as she came over to give Steph a warm hug and kiss her on both cheeks, before being attacked by all her grandchildren for hugs and kisses. I took a small step back, feeling like an intruder in this close family dynamic. For some reason I felt an ache in my chest, which was ridiculous. I had the Hardcastles, I reminded myself. They’d made it clear that Heath and I were part of their family. It was difficult though since Heath had married Yaz, because now he wasofficiallyfamily. I still somehow felt a little bit of an outsider. “I’ve been trying to instil manners into mine for decades and it’s yet to pay off.”
Barbara strolled over then to wind her way around Tilly’s legs, purring.
“Barbara!” shrieked Tilly, falling to her knees and stroking the cat with an intensity that I was surprised Barbara would tolerate. Then she actually threw herself over the cat and cuddled its massive body. I was quite sure Barbara would have ripped my face off had I attempted such a manoeuvre. “Did you miss me?” Tilly muttered into her fur.
“Tonnes,” Harry put in. “You know you’ll always be her favourite girl.”
“Harry took on Barbara for us two years ago,” Steph explained to me. “She was Tilly’s cat, but after the boys were born… well, let’s just say there were some attempted smothering incidents. It would have killed Tilly if we got rid of her completely so this was a compromise – the fact we also have two more cats and a dog at home also sweetens the pot. Barbara likes who she likes but she’s a bit of an arsehole really.”
I smiled at Steph. “Tell me about it. She’s tried to smother me a time or two.”
“At least she doesn’t shit in the bed anymore,” put in Harry. “Can’t leave her alone though. I fork out a fortune for her cat-sitter. I have to keep the poor woman on retainer so that Barbara is her only client as the bloody cat won’t tolerate anyone new. Total psycho.”
I felt a lump form in my throat at the thought of Harry taking on a psycho cat called Barbara who won’t drink standing water and basically bullies him in his own home, all to keep his niece happy.
“As great as it is to see you lot,” Harry cut in. “What are you doing here?”
“You’re always telling us you want us to come down,” said Mrs York.
“Yes, Mum. I did, but it would have been nice to have a heads up about it.”
“Well, you’ve clearly been busy lately,” she shot a pointed look at me and the ice in her gaze caused me to take another small step back. “Too busy for family. We thought we better check you were okay. Clearly, you’remorethan fine.”
Mr York came up and slapped Harry on the back a couple of times. “Your mum was worried, son,” he said. “You know how she gets. Lovely to see you again, Verity,” he said, coming around his son to shake my hand. “Sorry about all the craziness.” At least his tone was warmer than his wife’s. I’d really liked Mr York at school. He’d been patient with me – maths was never my strong suit. And really, he was the only teacher to ever question my parents. At the time Heath and I had just been annoyed by it, but looking back I could see how brave he was to raise concerns, even if they were never going to go anywhere. I winced when I remembered how I’d laughingly dismissed those concerns in the headmaster’s meeting. I’d put on quite the performance.
“If you want us to leave then we’ll all just go,” said Mrs York in a hurt tone.
“Don’t be silly, Mum,” said Harry in an affectionate but exasperated voice. “I can order us some food and–”
“No need darling. It’s all in the car. John, Martin – off you go to get in the Tesco bags.”
“I could have easily ordered us lunch, Mum,” Harry said as Mrs York turned back to the kettle and the men hustled out to the front door to do her bidding.
“Wouldn’t have been your Mum’s gravy though, would it?” Mr York shouted from the corridor and Harry rolled his eyes.
“Sorry, Harry,” Steph said, pulling a face behind Mrs York’s back.
“It’s fine,” sighed Harry. “You know I love seeing you guys.”
“Well, maybe I’d better head off,” I put in. “Let you all catch up.”
“If you think that’s best, dear,” Mrs York said as she handed Steph a cup of tea.
“Mum,” Harry snapped under his breath before he turned to block my exit from the kitchen. “Verity, of course you should stay.”
“I was sorry to hear about your father,” Mrs York said stiffly.
“Thank you,” I said and gave her a nod in acknowledgment.
“I saw in the press that you’re redeveloping your family’s stately home. Making it into flats to rent are you? I bet that’ll make a pretty penny.” Her tone was heavy on the accusation.
“It’s going to be a children’s respite centre actually.”
Mrs York’s mouth snapped shut and she blinked. “Oh.”
“I didn’t know anything about that,” Harry said, frowning across at me. “Are you doing the redesign?”
