Erin shook her head. ‘You know what Richard needs?’ She took off her cardigan and pushed up her shirt sleeves.
‘A job,’ Joyce replied.
‘A sense of responsibility. Get him doing something around the house. A bit of DIY, garden landscaping, anything that gets his brain working and his hands moving. That’s what I plan to do when I retire.’
I nearly choked on my drink. ‘Like that’s ever gonna happen.’ In the six months I’d known Erin, if there was one thing I’d learned, it was that she lived to work, not worked to live. ‘They’ll have to drag you out of that office kicking and screaming.’
Erin looked at me direct. ‘Which is what’s going to happen if Callum has his way. That weasel’s made it clear to anyone who’ll listen he thinks I’m losing my edge.’ Reminiscent of a James Bond baddie, she narrowed her eyes and formed a steeple with her hands. ‘But don’t worry I’m one step ahead.’ Erin picked up her drink again. ‘At the moment, I’m more worried about Mum. Did I tell you her new neighbours have moved in?’
‘No.’ Always one for a bit of gossip, Joyce perked up.
‘I don’t know much about them yet, but from what Mum says, they’re a father and son duo.’
‘No mother on the scene.’ Joyce leaned forward. ‘Interesting.’
‘Why would that worry you?’ I asked.
‘I suppose I don’t want them taking advantage. The son is especially getting pally, andyouknow what Mum’s like, Joyce.’
Joyce nodded. ‘Oh, I do.’
‘She’ll help anyone.’
‘Oh, she would,’ Joyce said.
‘Not that there’s anything wrong with that,’ Erin said. ‘But she’s getting on a bit now and as much as I hate to say it, she’s not the woman she once was.’ She took a deep breath and exhaled. ‘As for you, Hattie…’
Erin had never been one to properly share and I wasn’t surprised at her sudden change of conversation.
‘Your issue is nothing some beautiful lingerie and come-to-bed eyes won’t solve.’
Having never understood the concept of bedroom dress-up, I squirmed at the thought.
‘Unless he’s getting it from somewhere else?’ Erin pondered. ‘Because, trust me, if he is, there isn’t a pair of knickers on the planet that would sort that mess out.’
Again, I nearly choked on my wine. ‘Believe me, Gideon is not that kind of man.’ I pictured him in one of the many V-neck sweaters he owned, absorbed in the latest version of some accountancy manual that rested on his crossed-legged knee. ‘You do know a good day out for him is a trip to an abacus museum. No way would he have an affair.’
Erin smiled. ‘In that case, you’ve nothing to worry about and I’ve got the perfect plan.’
‘Plan?’ I didn’t like the sound of that.
‘I might not be in a relationship, Hattie, but that doesn’t make me a numpty when it comes to men. I do have some experience. Believe me, Gideon will forget all about work. He’ll only have time for you once I’m done.’
‘I wish Richard would have an affair,’ Joyce said. ‘Not that it’s ever going to happen. How can it? Glued to me almost twenty-four seven, he’ll never get the opportunity.’
‘Speaking of romance…’ Erin nodded to the bar. ‘Who’s the new guy?’
As if in an episode ofThe Golden GirlsmeetsSex in The City,we all stared at the man, letting out a collective dreamy sigh.
‘His name’s Alex,’ Joyce replied. ‘Apparently, the brewery has had a restructure and Danny’s been moved on. They’ve got big ideas for this place, and insist Alex is the man for job. They want to attract a more modern clientele. There’s talk of a big refurbishment in the new year.’
‘I’m not sure the locals will approve,’ I said.
‘From where I’m sitting, things look better already,’ Erin said.
‘He was poached from some fancy cocktail bar,’ Joyce continued. ‘A French sounding place.’
My eyes lit up. ‘Le Bonsoir, I’m betting. Gideon took me once. The mixologists there are brilliant, and their creations divine.’ I giggled. ‘Not to mention potent.’ I recalled how Gideon had had to pour me into a taxi to get us back to mine and then slide me out once we landed. Guiding me through the shop, he got fed up with trying to coax a wittering and giggling me upstairs. In the end he simply threw me over his shoulder and carried me in a fireman’s lift. ‘Their raspberry martini cocktail is to die for.’ As I drank a sip of wine, my smiled faded. Less appealing were Gideon’s complaints after pulling a muscle in his back.
