Page 25

“I wish you’d get married, Dee,” Maddie says with a sigh.

“You’re going to have to expand on that, Maddie-Moo.” I snort.

“Well, if you got married, then I could be a bridesmaid. I haven’t been a bridesmaid before, and all my friends have. I know you’d make a beautiful bridesmaid dress for me. And, if you got married, you might have some babies and I’ll be an aunt, and I can get some more pocket money from the babysitting!” She reels off her points with her usual enthusiasm.

“First, I can just make you a beautiful dress. How about you come to the shop one night and look through my patterns. You can pick out some fabric, and I’ll make you something. Second, you do know you don’t have to be married to have babies, nor do you have to have babies when married. Third, wouldn’t you babysit for free, given you’re such a good sister?” I lean forward and ruffle her hair.

“I think you would be a good enough sister to pay me,” Maddie pouts.

“If the situation arises, I’ll give you a trial run and see if you’re worth more than me paying you with pizza and ice cream,” I tease.

“What are you doing tomorrow, Delilah? Do you have any nice plans?” Verity asks.

“Brunch with Felix tomorrow, and then I think I’ll just chill out at home, catch up on my jobs,” I reply.

“Nothing special tonight?” she prods.

“Nothing special,” I fib. I’m not sure whether it’s the slight lie or the reminder of my plans that sets off another flurry of butterflies in my stomach. They feel like they’re dancing in there, and I clamp my back teeth together to try to keep my expression neutral.

There are hours to go before I meet with him again, but I wish I could fast-forward and get through this dinner. I’m anxious but weirdly excited, and I’m not equipped to deal with whatever has suddenly got Maddie looking like she’s about to pop with excitement.

“See, I told you she could take me to the cinema tonight,” Maddie exclaims, staring at Verity with the expression on her face that tells me she’s about to start wheedling and pleading.

“Can I take you during the week instead? Or maybe next Saturday? I’m not working, so we could make a whole day of it. We could grab some lunch together, then see a film,” I suggest.

“Why not tonight? You just said you weren’t doing anything important. We can have a fun night together, just sisters,” Maddie whines.

“If Delilah has said no, then it’s a no,” Verity presses.

“I just had a long day at work, sweetheart. I’m planning on going home right after this and getting straight into bed. If I hadn’t been teaching today, you know I’d take you, but I’m worn out and wouldn’t be good company,” I soothe.

She mulls over my words, and I’m grateful when she nods her acceptance.

“Okay, but you promise we can go next week?”

“I promise. I’ll book the tickets tonight. Just let me know what film you’re thinking,” I tell her.

I know it won’t be Joseph’s movie that she wants to see because she’s too young to get in for the viewing, and it isn’t her usual genre. I hadn’t planned to see it, and I’ve done my best to avoid the trailers and the promotions where possible, but now I’m curious. Seeing him again clearly has me unsettled.

“I can’t decide between two, so I’ll text you in the week when I’ve picked,” Maddie says.

Before I can reply, the waitress arrives, another big and beaming smile on her face. She puts a tray of starters and snacks between us, and Maddie’s eyes light up.

“Your main courses won’t be long. I’ll bring them out as soon as they’re ready. Enjoy these as you’re waiting, and if you need anything else, please just give me a shout,” she says.

I give her a smile because I know what it’s like to work as a waitress. I did it for a couple of years, juggling shifts between classes at design college. I served my share of tables where customers were disinterested in my presence unless there was a problem or a delay, and then I became the person who they took their frustration out on.

I lasted longer than Felix did as waitstaff. He worked with me for two months, and I swear he hated every single second of it. Most customers could tell as much by his expressions, and it didn’t take long for him to work out that it was not his forte.

“Thank you,” Verity calls as the waitress makes a swift exit back to the kitchen area.

“I’m starving,” I proclaim, reaching for one of the little dishes stacked in the centre of the platter. I help myself to a few of the items, my mouth watering.

“You need to make sure you eat more regularly,” Verity chides.

“I just get busy when teaching. I give the students a lunch break, but there’s always somebody who’s running behind on their project or needs a bit of a hand. I didn’t mind today because I was focused on this dinner,” I explain.

I pop a piece of the hot chicken into my mouth, savouring the flavours on my tongue. It’s hot, spicy, and slightly salty. It goes some way to stop the butterflies that are still fluttering around in my stomach.