‘Is she okay?’ asks Maddy.
Ellie nods. ‘She thought the babies were on their way but theywere false labour pains. Braxton Hicks contractions. She’s at home again but Ithink she’s feeling pretty fed up. She’ll have to be induced if those babiesdon’t get their act in gear, which wouldn’t suit her plans for a natural birthat all.’
‘I’m just glad she’s okay,’ I murmur.
Ellie nods. ‘Me, too.’ She smiles at Maddy. ‘Anyway, how areyou?’
‘Oh, surviving. Although I’m so bored, I could die. DaytimeTV is rubbish.’
‘It kind of serves you right for experimenting with bananaskins.’ Ellie smiles, casting her eye over the cake display. ‘We need moremillefeuilles.’
Maddy grins sheepishly. Then, as Ellie goes off in search ofmore goodies from the kitchen, she turns to me. ‘So how’s the refurbishmentgoing?’
‘Oh, well, it’s happening. Slowly. If you weren’t immobileat the moment, Maddy, I’d ask you to help me with the painting and decorating.’
‘I’d love to. I’m great at painting.’
I chuckle. ‘I was only joking. I’m going to get a localpainter and decorator in to do it. It’s such a big house and every single roomneeds freshening up.’
‘Why don’t we have a painting party?’ suggests Maddy.
‘A what?’ I look at her curiously.
‘You know. Where you get people along to help paint and thenyou have a party afterwards?’
‘A party? Did someone mention a party?’ asks Ellie, arrivingback with a fresh supply ofmillefeuillesand transferring them onto aserving platter with gloved hands.
‘Lottie needs help painting and decorating so I suggested wepitch in – and drink wine as well, of course,’ says Maddy. ‘It could be a goodlaugh.’
Ellie nods. ‘Well, I’m a dab hand with a paint brush myselfand I agree, it could be fun.’
‘Could it?’ I look dubiously from one to the other.
‘I’ll help as well,’ offers Liam.
‘Really?’ I turn to him.
He nods. ‘But only if there’s plenty of snacks during theday and a chance to chill out with a beer on the lawn afterwards.’ He grins atMaddy. ‘That’s what usually happens at painting parties, isn’t it?’
She nods. ‘Oh, absolutely. Plenty of booze and lots of greatfood to feed the workers.’
Ellie laughs. ‘I’ve only ever read about painting parties. Ididn’t even think they were actually a thing, but I’m definitely up for it.’
‘Fab!’ says Maddy, her eyes shining. ‘Thank goodness. Somethingto look forward to at last.’
‘Hang on, Maddy. You won’t be able to do any painting inyour condition,’ I point out with a grin.
‘No, of course I won’t. I’ll just sit and watch you allworking and point out when you’ve missed a bit. And I’ll serve the drinks.’
We all chuckle and Ellie says, ‘Right. So when’s ithappening? Next weekend? I could ask Sylvia and Olga if they’d hold the forthere on Saturday afternoon. Olga always pretends she’s doing it undersufferance but I know she secretly thoroughly enjoys ruling the roost in thecafé. Especially when she has Sylvia to banter away with.’
Maddy grins. ‘Sylvia and Olga. That well-known comedy doubleact. They should be on the stage, those two.’
Amazed at what’s happening, I find myself agreeing toMaddy’s suggestion.
It’s so odd. When I first came back, I wanted nothing morethan to get the job done and depart. But Sunnybrook, and everyone I’ve methere, seem to be weaving some kind of magical spell around me.
I’m really enjoying today.
