‘Funny business? Really?’
He frowned and shook his head. ‘I don’t know how, or why, that particular phrase came out. But you get the idea.’
I got the idea.
‘Are you able to come?’
‘Yes. If you want me to.’
He smiled, the warmth in it doing funny things to places it shouldn’t. ‘Of course I want you to.’
‘OK.’
‘Great. I’ll send you the address. It’s on the corner and you’ll see my car on their drive. About half twelve OK?’
‘That sounds lovely, thank you.’
‘OK, I’ll…’ he suddenly swooped off balance and I got a view of the ceiling shortly followed by a cheeky little face.
‘Hello!’ she said.
‘Hello,’ I grinned back.
‘Are you Uncle Seb’s special friend?’
I’d treated myself to a new fluffy dressing gown last Christmas in a festive shade of red. My cheeks now matched it. Before I could answer, there was a bit of scuffling, the phone was righted, and Seb’s face appeared once more, this time accompanied by the little girl I assumed was his niece.
He gave a little throat clear. ‘I’ve no idea where she picks these phrases up.’
‘Mummy said it,’ his niece clarified for us.
‘Right. I see. Sounds like I might need to have a word with mummy.’ He turned back to the screen. ‘I’d better go. See you tomorrow then?’
‘Yep. Thanks. Oh! Is there anything I can bring?’
‘Just yourself!’ I heard a female voice call out.
‘I’m beginning to think I’m on a party line here,’ Seb said, his voice even but a twinkle of humour shining in his eyes. From behind him, I heard a laugh. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Yep. Have a good walk.’
‘Thanks,’ he said, giving me a quick wave before the call ended.
* * *
The following day, I pulled up in front of the corner house, just to the left of the drive where Seb’s Subaru sat. It was an attractive pale cream Georgian house with large windows and a gravel drive on which was parked an Audi estate and a BMW one series, as well as Seb’s car. A large willow tree draped its feather-like leaves in the corner of the front garden and a smart sign showing it to be actually called ‘The Corner House’ was fastened to one of the stone pillars at the entrance to the driveway.
I got out, picked up the little pot plant I’d dashed to the nursery to get today, as well as the bottle of wine, and crunched up the driveway. As I approached the wide, black, painted door, it opened to reveal Seb laughing as one small child clung to his back and the other clung to his thigh.
‘Hi!’ I said, stepping in as he shuffled back enough to let me in, his nephew still attached to his leg. He gave it a bit of a shake and the little boy giggled, clinging on tighter. Leaning forward, he gave me a hug as best he could without me headbutting the little girl clinging around his neck. ‘You two monkeys want to go and tell your mum our guest is here?’
‘OK!’ the little boy released his uncle’s leg and zoomed off, leaving his sister wriggling on Seb’s back.
‘Wait for me!’ she wailed, as Seb moved to the stairs to enable her to get off safely without dropping to the floor. She slid off, charged down the bottom stairs and raced off in the same direction.
‘I’m glad you could make it.’
‘Thanks for the invitation.’
