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She stood up.

‘Don’t go, Granny,’ Sennen urged. ‘You’ve barely touched your drink.’

‘I need to, darling; I need to get ready for the crem later. Old Aubrey Harris. He used to own a restaurant in Pippin Quay, back in the day, so I have high hopes for the buffet.’ And with that the old woman swanned out of the front door, slamming it behind her.

Zenya laughed. ‘If I have half that much energy running through my veins at her age I will be happy.’

‘I’m sorry if she offended.’ Rita wiped down the worktop.

‘I’m so used to her, I kind of look forward to what may come out of her mouth now.’ Zenya sipped on her tea.

Rita put the baby monitor to her ear. Just a sweet snuffling sound greeted her. ‘Sen, do you mind seeing if your granny needs a lift down to the bay for that funeral?’

Sennen smiled. ‘Of course not.’

Rita took a swig of her sweet tea. ‘Changing the subject, if it all goes to plan down there, do you think Priya might consider offering reflexology sessions for future retreats? I could add it as an extra.’

‘Let me ask her.’

‘Brilliant.’ Rita put her hand up to shush everyone as one of the twins let out a little cry and then silence again.

‘Oh, and by the way’ – Sennen looked mischievous – ‘Thomas is coming for dinner later.’

‘Oh.’ Rita raised her eyebrows. ‘That sounds ominous; why didn’t he tell me he was coming down himself?’

‘You’d better ask him that.’ Sennen shot up. ‘I’m going to Granny’s.’

Once her daughter was clearly out of earshot, Rita shook her head. ‘I wonder what all that’s about. Those two… I thought having the little ones was hard enough.’

‘You’re doing a great job all round,’ Zenya comforted.

‘Really? I do worry, though. They may be grown up but they never stop being your babies.’

‘From what I know of them, I’m sure they’d speak up if they weren’t alright.’

Rita sighed. ‘I hope so.’ She was thoughtful for a second then piped up, brusquely. ‘Talking of jobs, we do need to have a chat about the Christmas retreat. We’ve already got two booked after the ad we put out, but we need to work out what’s actually on offer and get marketing. Are you free on Wednesday for a conflab in the Nook? Teo said he could be free around eleven.’

‘Yes, let’s do it.’ Zenya nodded.

‘Fabulous. The twins should be napping then, so we will get a good hour of peace, hopefully.’

A piercing scream shot through the baby monitor.

Rita laughed through a groan. ‘I’m sure they can sense when I’m just about to have a minute to myself.’

FIVE

That evening, Rita watched from the front door as the gravel crunched under the sleek grey Porsche easing onto the drive. The outside security lights cast a glow to show Thom behind the wheel, with Buttons, the yellow labrador, perched precariously on his lap, tail wagging madly. Thom popped the handbrake, opened the door and, with the excitable young dog now running around the courtyard, stepped out. He stretched his tall frame, then pushed his hands through his thick auburn hair.

Jago emerged from the passenger seat smiling broadly. Rita greeted them, aware that her hair was unwashed and there was a splodge of food down her top.

She gave her son a pointed look as he started handing Jago brown paper carrier bags from behind his seat. ‘You two look like you’ve been up to mischief.’

Thom grinned. ‘Don’t tell me you were thinking of cooking, Mumsie; I told Sennen we had it all under control. Well, Batter Days did at least.’

‘Cooking, showering, sleeping, what are these things you talk of?’ Rita smiled.

Jago kissed her on the cheek and soothed, ‘I’m here now, darling.’