‘Thank goodness.’ Erin dumped her bag on the counter. ‘I don’t think I could cope with any more excitement. I’ve just been to see Mum. She’s only gone and bought herself a smartphone. Thanks to the lad next door, I might add, who, no doubt, put the idea into her head. Those two are developing quite a friendship.’ She filled her cheeks with air and slowly exhaled. ‘She hasn’t stopped ringing and texting, no matter how many times I tell her I’m in a meeting or with a client.’ Erin shook her head. ‘I feel awful spoiling her fun. But after one too many memes, I had no choice but to go round and give her the hard word.’
‘How did she take it?’ I asked.
‘All right, I think. I’ve left her with Duolingo for company. Since digging out those letters, she’s decided to brush up on her long-forgotten French.’ Erin took another deep breath as if centring herself. ‘That’s enough about me and my problems.’ She turned to Joyce. ‘How’s poor Richard really doing?’
Mid-mouthful, Joyce swallowed. ‘Like I said, he’s back to normal. Aside of a bit of tiredness, you’d think the other night never happened.’
Erin indicated Joyce’s between-meal snack. ‘That alone tells me all I need to know.’
‘Yes, well, that’s why I’m here. Catching you both at the same time has saved me a job.’
Erin and I looked to each other, curious.
‘Richard wants to say thank you for coming to the hospital the other night. For being there. As do I, because honestly, you two, I don’t think I’d have got through it on my own.’
‘Like I said, that’s what friends are for,’ Erin said.
‘You mean sisters,’ I said, with a smile.
‘It was so hard seeing him like that,’ Joyce carried on. ‘And the guilt… When I think about all the things I said about murdering him.’ She delved in her handbag for a tissue. ‘I’m surprised you weren’t tempted to ring the police.’ She wiped her hands of pesto and mozzarella. ‘Anyway, by way of a thank you, Richard would like to invite you to dinner.’
As she looked from Erin to me and back again, clearly awaiting our response, we took a moment to let her words sink in.
‘Gideon too. Considering we ruined your date night, Hattie.’
‘That’s very kind of Richard,’ Erin finally said.
‘Very kind,’ I said.
‘I know what you’re thinking. That after all my complaints about his food I’m putting you both in a bit of a predicament.’ Joyce tilted her head. ‘But accepting his invitation would mean a lot to Richard. And to me.’
Erin and I stared back at her, neither of us knowing quite how to respond.
‘The thing is,’ Erin said, clearly thinking on her feet. ‘I do have a lot of work on at the moment. Did I tell you about the office restructure?’
‘And I’ve got so much to do around here.’
Joyce followed my gaze around the customer free shop.
‘You know what December’s like,’ I said. ‘A stampede can happen at a moment’s notice.’
‘Nice try.’ Joyce looked from me to Erin. ‘Both of you. But I’m not taking no for an answer.’
‘A minute ago, she called us friends,’ Erin said.
As I stood chuckling, the shop bell rang for a third time and looking to see who had arrived, my laughter immediately stopped.
Alex paused in the doorway, evidently surprised to see Erin and Joyce present. His eyes met mine, but neither of us spoke.
Erin looked from me to him and sensing something afoot, she turned to Joyce. ‘Come on. Time for us to go.’
Joyce appeared bemused. ‘Where to?’
Erin glared at Joyce, willing her to get the message, but telepathy clearly wasn’t in either woman’s skill set. Erin leaned in and lowered her voice. ‘Anywhere that isn’t here.’
Joyce now looked from me to Alex. ‘I see.’ Her apparent confusion, however, showed that she didn’t. She picked up her bag and turned to me. ‘I’ll tell Richard it’s a yes then, shall I?’ As Erin steered her towards the door, Joyce did her best to resist. ‘What have I missed?’
Erin shovelled her out onto the street.
