Page 103 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

It was moments like these, when he showed his softer side, that made it hard for Liz to quell her own feelings for him.

‘Mike.’ She’d patted his hand. ‘You’re having a wobble. This is a classic Mike Marriott move. Remember your wedding day? These are the same thoughts.’

The groom had gone missing just before the service and the best man and two of the ushers had been despatched to locate him (or, as Jen had put it: to chop his balls off if he was even thinking of jilting her). But it had been Liz who’d found him. She’d nipped to the loo for a nervous wee and had found it already occupied. The door was eventually opened by a very pale Mike, who’d confessed that he didn’t deserve Jen and he was scared of messing up her life. Liz had given him a pep talk, threatened him with bodily harm if he dared let Jen down, before hugging him and sending him to the altar. The ceremony went ahead without any further hitches, and she never told Jen what he’d told her.

Mike had given her a lopsided grin. ‘You’re right. But I think I’m right too. She’ll be a brilliant mum.’

‘She will,’ Liz had agreed, unequivocally.

‘Do you think I’ll be a brilliant dad?’

‘Well …’ she’d begun, determined to be positive and tactful and perhaps give him a few home truths about the selflessness involved in parenting.

‘Exactly,’ he’d interrupted her, holding his hands out. ‘Not quite such an immediate “yes”, is it?’

‘Just do your best, Mike, that’s all Jen will ask of you.’

‘I will, I promise,’ he’d said.

And because Liz had wanted to believe him, she did.

‘Liz? Liz?’ Skye waved a hand in front of Liz’s face.

‘Sorry, miles away.’ Liz blinked away the past and focused on the present. ‘Do you mind doing one last sweep for crockery and I’ll go and bring the van up onto the drive?’

‘Sure.’ Skye picked up a tray to collect any stray cups and saucers.

Liz let herself out of the front door and walked down the road to where she’d left the van. They’d unloaded right outside the house earlier, but moved the van to keep the drive free for the funeral cars. She was unlocking the driver’s door when she heard her name being called.

She looked further down the hill and saw Patrick jogging towards her, his hand raised in greeting.

Her stomach pitched, remembering the hurt and confusion on his face when she’d tackled him about his date with Viv.

‘Patrick.’ She opened the van door and summoned up a tight smile. ‘Hello.’

‘Liz, I’m so glad I caught you.’ He gave her a wary look, as if not quite sure of the reception he was about to get. He was wearing shorts and walking boots and had a rucksack on his back. He looked a picture of health and wholesomeness and she felt herself soften towards him. ‘I feel I owe you an explanation.’

Not an apology, she noted. She nodded for him to continue. ‘I’m working, so I mustn’t be long.’

‘Of course,’ he said, the relief evident in his voice. ‘I’ve been for a walk around Overbeck’s Garden. Have you been?’

‘I have.’ It was a beautiful National Trust place not far away. The last time she went had been for afternoon tea in the café with Jen for her birthday. ‘Although not recently.’

‘I kept thinking how much more I’d have enjoyed it if you’d have been with me.’

She raised an eyebrow. ‘Not Viv?’

‘Definitely not Viv,’ he said, emphatically. ‘Liz, I’m sorry there has been a communication problem here. I had no intention of misleading you. Yes, I did go on a date with Viv. She was the one I told you about who my sister-in-law had set me up with. I had no idea she was a friend of yours.’

‘That doesn’t matter, but what does matter to me is honesty.’ Liz folded her arms. ‘You said there was no chemistry there and you wouldn’t be seeing her again.’

‘Which was correct,’ he said eagerly. ‘I’m sure she’s a very nice women, and a good business contact to have on your side. But we didn’t click.’

‘That’s not how Viv recalls it,’ Liz pointed out. ‘In fact, when I saw her, she was on her way to the beauty salon getting ready for her second date with you.’

Patrick groaned softly. ‘I’m sorry. No wonder you were annoyed with me.’

‘Disappointed,’ she corrected him. ‘I have no claim on you, nor you on me. But there was no need to lie to me.’