‘Right, do we have a plan?’ said Bella.
‘A plan?’ asked Logan in surprise.
Bella rolled her eyes. ‘Uh-huh. How will we know when they’re almost here? Are we staying in the garden and letting her come out, or should we be in the kitchen?’
Olivia saw the look of panic on Logan’s face. ‘Er, I don’t know. I hadn’t thought of that.’
‘Tsk,’ said Granny Margaret. ‘These finer details are vital.’ She shook her head in despair. ‘Right. Listen up, team. Logan, you message Cameron and ask him to give you a five-minute warning.’
‘Okay,’ he said, quickly pulling out his phone and following orders. ‘Done.’
‘Right,’ continued Margaret, ‘when we know they’re almost here, you, Logan, come with me, Ellen, Isobel and Bella, and we’ll wait here in the garden.’ She looked around to make sure they were all listening. ‘Olivia, you go and meet them out front and bring them round the side to the garden.’
Olivia nodded.
‘Then, when Olivia says, “Oh, it’s such a beautiful day,” that will be our cue to shout out. Capeesh?’
‘That sounds like a perfect plan,’ agreed Olivia.
‘Aye, well, I’ve organised a few bashes in my time,’ she said. ‘As soon as she gets here it will be chaos. Isobel, you and Bella sort the drinks. Logan, you turn on the barbecue. And the rest of us canmingle.’
‘What about the cake?’ asked Ellen.
‘What about it?’ Granny Margaret looked confused. ‘I take it you did bring it?’
‘Yes,’ said Ellen patiently. ‘I mean, when will we bring it out?’
‘Probably after the food?’
‘Okey-dokey,’ said Ellen.
‘In fact,’ said Granny Margaret, ‘it might be an idea to show it to me, just to make sure we’re all set. Did you bring candles and matches?’
Olivia choked back a giggle when she saw Ellen throwing her a look of exasperation. ‘Yes, I did bring candles and matches. Would you like me to show you them?’
Granny Margaret nodded her head. ‘I would.’ The two women disappeared back into the house and the rest of the party busied themselves, straightening cushions, arranging the pile of presents and cards, and making sure the bunting was hanging properly.
‘Right, that’s us all sorted in there,’ said Granny Margaret, closely followed by Ellen, who had a tight smile on her face.
Just then Logan’s phone beeped. He jumped. ‘Oh. That’s them just a few minutes away.’
Olivia watched as everyone suddenly started to flap and run about.
‘Come on. Action stations, everyone,’ commanded Granny Margaret with a brisk clap of her hands.
Olivia had learned that she was not a woman to be messed with. Evidently so had everyone else, as they quickly took up their positions to wait.
‘Shh, stay quiet,’ said Granny Margaret in a stage whisper.
‘Granny, you’re the one making all the noise,’ said Bella indignantly.
‘Och, wheesht,’ she replied crossly.
Olivia heard the sound of a car. She quickly skirted up the side of the house to wait outside for Kitty to arrive. Waving as Kitty pulled up, she couldn’t help but notice the huge grin on her friend’s face.
‘He’s home,’ Kitty said with a squeal as she jumped from the car and ran round to open up the passenger door.
‘Thanks, Mum,’ he said, laughing. ‘I think the whole street must know I’m back.’ Cameron towered over his mum, who was beaming proudly at him.
