Lavender Girl

by Paula Hickford

  Liz looked on in wonder.

  ‘Can I get you both a drink?’ asked Nick.

  ‘Yes please,’ said Georgina. ‘You stay here Adam, I’ll help Nick. I’ve got so many questions.’ She slipped her arm through Nick’s and headed off to the kitchen.

  Liz looked puzzled. ‘How come?’ she asked, when Georgina had moved out of earshot. ‘I didn’t think you were coming. Georgina told me you were packing.’

  ‘We were,’ said Adam, ‘but there’s been a change of plan.’

  ‘You mean you’re not going to America after all?’ Liz was surprised.

  ‘No, I’m going,’ said Adam, ‘but only me. Georgie and the children are staying here apart from a couple of holidays. I have taken the contract for one year only.’

  ‘How does Georgina feel about that?’

  ‘She sulked for a while, but she’ll get over it.’

  ‘Well, that’s fantastic,’ said Liz, really pleased, ‘but that still doesn’t account for her being here today. I thought you would have had to drag her here kicking and screaming.’

  ‘No,’ said Adam, ‘you actually have Nick to thank for that.’

  ‘Nick?’ She was confused. ‘How so?’

  ‘There was an article about Nick in one of the Sunday magazines today. I saw it early this morning and made sure Georgina saw it too. The fact that Nick will be on television meeting the great and the good was something Georgina couldn’t ignore. I think she has even brought Sasha’s portrait for him to sign.’

  Liz laughed. ‘Well, whatever works.’

  Adam put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. ‘The garden looks amazing. It was a great idea mum, and Nick seems like a really nice guy.’

  Tammy and Sasha were sitting in the corner whispering conspiratorially about something. They stopped when they saw Monica coming towards them.

  ‘What are you two up to?’

  ‘Nothing,’ they said in unison, as they walked off hand in hand towards Rory.

  They waited until he sat down on the bench under the palm tree and rushed over to sit either side of him before anyone else had a chance to sit down.

  ‘How are you Rory?’ asked Tammy.

  ‘Great,’ said Rory suspiciously. He knew they were up to something.

  ‘This is my best friend Sasha.’

  ‘Nice to meet you,’ said Rory.

  ‘Rory makes furniture,’ continued Tammy.

  ‘How wonderful,’ said Sasha. ‘Are you married?’

  ‘No, I’m not,’ said Rory, wondering what that had to do with making furniture.

  ‘Good,’ said Tammy, nodding to Sasha.

  ‘Do you have a partner or children?’ added Sasha.

  ‘No, not yet,’ said Rory.

  ‘Great,’ said Tammy. Thirty seconds silence ensued before Tammy added, ‘My aunt Monica is thinking about buying some new furniture.’

  ‘Really?’ said Rory.

  ‘Definitely,’ said Sasha. ‘Have you met Monica?’

  ‘Not formally,’ said Rory. ‘I’ve said hello.’

  ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get her for you,’ and the pair of them rushed off.

  The party wound down and all the children had been collected by their parents. Monica and Rory were still deep in conversation and Georgina, who had completely monopolised Nick, even looked as though she was enjoying herself. Sasha seized the opportunity to ask if she could stay with her grandma for a few days over the summer and Georgina agreed without hesitation. She was doing her best to make a good impression on Nick.

  ‘In fact, if Liz doesn’t mind we could all stay tonight and drive back tomorrow,’ she suggested.

  Liz looked at Adam, who winked.

  ‘That’s a great idea,’ said Liz, hugging Sasha. ‘In fact, you can sleep in my bed, Leo can sleep in the spare room and Sasha could stay with Tammy tonight if that’s okay.’

  ‘Great mum. Perhaps we can take you and Nick out to lunch tomorrow.’

  ‘That would be wonderful,’ said Liz. Sasha and Tammy hugged each other and squealed.

  ‘But we don’t want to put you out. Where will you sleep?’

  ‘Oh, I can stay at Nick’s flat,’ said Liz smiling.

  ‘You can?’ Nick looked surprised.

  ‘I can,’ said Liz. ‘We’ll see you in the morning.’