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‘You’ll see it tomorrow. I’m wearing it to Mira’s Christmas party.’
‘But I need to look at it first,’ she says. ‘It might not fit.’
‘Seriously, how do you think I’ve coped with living away from home the past two years? I’ve managed to get dressed perfectly well each morning without my mother there to sew on buttons and check me for creases.’
She sniffs. ‘Judging by the way you’re dressed today, you haven’t done a very good job of it. Those old jeans have a rip in one knee. Go and put something else on, and I’ll have them darned for you in a trice.’
I drop a kiss on the top of her head. ‘They’re supposed to be like that. I paid extra for that rip.’
Disregarding her shocked exclamations, I pick up my bag. ‘I have to go. I’m meeting Suzy in ten minutes.’
Suzy jumps to her feet when I open the cafe door. ‘Sweetie! I’ve missed you so much!’
I hug her delightedly. ‘Me too! How have you been?’
She waves to the server for another cup of coffee. ‘I’ve been really busy with my course. Only two more terms to go, thank goodness.’
I settle myself comfortably and pull off my hat and gloves. ‘How’s it going?’
‘It’s not too bad,’ she says. ‘It’s better than my job at the supermarket.’
‘When do you start applying for nannying jobs?’ I ask.
‘Around Easter, I expect. There’s quite a lot of competition for the best jobs, so they advertise them well beforehand. That way, they can get the best nannies for their little darlings.’
‘I’m sure you’ll have no trouble,’ I say. ‘Any family would be lucky to have you.’
She blows me a kiss. ‘You’re so sweet. What about you? What are you going to do when you graduate?’
‘I’m not quite sure. I’d like to get a job in London for a while, but the competition’s pretty stiff. I’ve decided not to worry about it for the next few months.’
‘Quite right,’ she says. ‘We should forget about all that and enjoy Christmas. Are you going to Mira’s party tomorrow?’
I nod. ‘I’ve been really looking forward to it.’
I don’t add that I’ve mostly been looking forward to seeing Alex. I know from Mira that he’s been invited, but I don’t want to jinx things. For all I know, he already has a girlfriend in Edinburgh.
‘What are you going to wear?’ she asks. ‘I bought the most amazing dress last week. It’s very low cut, and very short. It wasn’t so short on the model, but …’
‘That’s what comes of being so tall,’ I say. ‘I wish I had legs like yours.’
‘But nothing’s ever long enough.’ She eyes her long, slender legs complacently. ‘My mum almost had a fit when she saw the dress. She wanted me to take it back, but I told her it was on sale, and they don’t refund sale items. I’m not sure she believed me, but I don’t care. There’s no way I’m returning it. If she had her way, I’d be wearing some frumpy old full-length dress with a high neck and long sleeves.’
‘My mum’s exactly the same,’ I say, giggling at the remembrance of Mum offering to lend me one of her own dresses. ‘I wish you could come tomorrow. It won’t be the same without you.’
She pouts. ‘I know! I was so upset when Mum and Dad insisted that I go to visit Aunty Zara with them. At first, I absolutely refused. But Mum reminded me that Aunty Zara always gives me a cheque for Christmas. So, in the end I gave in. She’s absolutely loaded, and she’s never married or had children, so it’s definitely worth staying in her good books.’
I give her an uncertain smile. I’m fairly sure she’s joking, but it doesn’t seem in great taste.
She notices my expression. ‘Don’t look so serious. Anyway, there’s still the Fieldings’ New Year’s Eve party. You’re going to that, aren’t you?’
‘Mum says we’ve all been invited. It will be my last night here. I’m off to Paris on New Year’s Day.’
She doesn’t look too enthusiastic. ‘Oh, that’s right. How very glamorous.’
‘I’m sure they’ll work us pretty hard while we’re there,’ I say. ‘It won’t all be sightseeing and partying.’
‘Maybe you’ll meet some gorgeous French guy,’ she says. ‘Then you’ll move over there permanently and never give the rest of us a thought.’
