Mum’s the Word. Kate Lawson

      Saskia made a noise; it could almost have been a laugh. ‘Something to cover the concrete?’

      ‘You know Fenborough?’

      Saskia coloured very slightly; the first time she had shown any genuine reaction. ‘I did my first business qualifications there. So, concrete covering is a main requirement?’

      Susie nodded. ‘That would be wonderful.’

      ‘Well, you may be in luck. We’ve got a range of planting that we hire out to dress shops, events, various shows –’

      ‘We haven’t got a budget for this,’ Susie said uncomfortably.

      ‘Austin did explain that, and it’s fine.’

      Susie smiled. ‘In that case it sounds perfect.’

      ‘We obviously have promotional material that we’d like on display – and …’

      The next half hour was spent working out a site visit, and what Saskia might be prepared to offer, and what Susie had to offer in return. By six thirty Susie was on her way back to the car. She slipped in behind the wheel feeling like it was a job well done. Austin and Nina would be delighted, and for the first time in days she felt happy.

      When Susie arrived back at the cottage, Milo was basking in the sunshine on the terrace, on his back, paws in the air, looking for all the world as if he was topping up his tan. He opened one eye to acknowledge her arrival and did a wag or two just to let her know that despite appearances he really was pleased to see her, and that he was absolutely on the ball, no one would get by unnoticed on his watch.

      As she headed down the path, Susie noticed a peculiar smell in the air. The smell of cooking. She pushed open the back door to find Matt, with a tea towel tucked into the waistband of his jeans, busy doing something extraordinary with a paella pan and a whole mess of seafood.

      The table was set, and Jack was opening a bottle of wine. There was a salad and fresh bread and what looked suspiciously like dessert spoons on a clean tablecloth. Susie looked at the two of them. ‘So what did you break?’ she asked, dropping her bag onto the chair.

      ‘Mum,’ said Jack. ‘As if –’

      ‘Did you set fire to something?’

      ‘Hi,’ said Matt, looking up from the cooker. ‘How’s your day been? Jack was just telling me about Deliaing. I was thinking more Rick Stein.’ He swept his hand across the top of the pan with all the finesse of a magician’s assistant. ‘Here we have classic paella – really simple, local ingredients – great served up with a classic green salad and lots of warm, new, crisp bread to sop up all those delectable juices, garnished with lemon wedges and just a sprinkling of chopped parsley.’

      ‘Fantastic,’ said Susie, unable to keep the merest hint of suspicion out of her voice.

      ‘You hungry?’

      She nodded.

      ‘Good, should be ready in about five minutes.’

      Susie slipped off her jacket and accepted the glass of wine Jack handed her.

      ‘So?’ she asked.

      ‘What?’ said Jack.

      ‘Did you spill varnish on the landing carpet? Break a window?’

      ‘None of the above. We’re waiting for the floor and until that’s ready –’

      ‘Nada, niente,’ concluded Matt. ‘We’ve just got to sit it out. So, you want to come join us watch paint dry?’

      Who could possibly resist an offer like that?

Chapter 6

      After supper, while Matt helped clear away and Jack filled the dishwasher, Susie picked up Milo’s lead. Milo and Susie went back a long way. He predated Robert and the cottage and had outlasted by several years the boyfriend who’d bought him as a present for Susie because he thought Milo was cute and Susie was cuter. It seemed a lifetime ago now, but Milo had been there for her through thick and thin, a gentle, amiable, non-judgemental companion who loved her exactly the way she was. He knew the score and without a word padded over to her, eager for an amble round the common. Tail wagging, he sat down at her feet ready for the off.

      Matt too, although obviously not the sitting or the wagging bit.

      ‘Fancy some company?’ he asked, sliding the last of the dirty dishes onto the countertop. ‘It’s a lovely evening for a walk.’

      ‘Perfect if you’re into sniffing and weeing up trees,’ added Susie on Milo’s behalf.

      ‘Whatever floats your boat,’ said Matt, scratching the mongrel behind the ears. Milo wagged appreciatively. The dog was such a tart.

      ‘I thought you were going to get on with the floor?’

      ‘Mañana.’

      Susie laughed. ‘I thought you were working in Italy not Spain.’

      ‘I think you’ll find the mañana principle is pretty much universal.’

      On the other side of the kitchen, Jack groaned. ‘Oh that’s right, bloody typical, the three of you bugger off and leave me with all the clearing up.’

      Susie smiled and slipped on her walking shoes. ‘See, there is a god. I knew that one day all those years of running around after you would pay off and there would be a break-even point. You should have cleaned your room up, come home on time and not bitten your sister. It’s karma.’

      ‘Where are we going?’ asked Matt, rolling down his shirtsleeves.

      She turned her attention to him. ‘You can only come with me if you promise not to give me a lecture on the nature of relationships, ask how I am or try to counsel me. Oh, or mention getting in touch with your inner woman.’

      Matt mimed pain. ‘Owwwww.’

      ‘I’m serious. The paella was wonderful; I really appreciate your cooking. I’ve had an excellent day after a difficult start and if at all possible I’d like to keep it that way.’

      Matt mimed lip-zipping.

      It was tempting fate.

      Susie had barely snapped Milo’s lead on when the phone rang. She decided to ignore it and continued on her way outside, Milo dancing behind her, Matt meandering.

      ‘Phone,’ called Jack, as if she might have missed it.

      ‘It’s okay – the machine will get it, and if it’s important they’ll ring back,’ said Susie, over one shoulder. And if it was Robert she didn’t want him to think she was sitting at home pining, waiting for him to call.

      Jack didn’t listen. When she was halfway down the garden path, he appeared, hurrying after her, phone clutched tight against his chest. ‘Mum?’

      ‘Take a message, I’ll ring them later.’

      ‘It’s Alice.’

      ‘I’ll be half an hour.’

      ‘She said it was urgent.’

      ‘Is it ever anything else?’ said Susie, turning on her heel and grabbing the phone out of his hand. ‘Alice,’ she snapped. ‘I don’t know what it is you want, darling, but I’m just going out, I won’t be long. I’ll ring you back in half an hour. All right?’

      ‘No, no, it’s not all right,’ snuffled Alice. And then there was a split second’s pause, followed by a great wailing sob. Susie winced. Trust Alice to turn the tables on her. The one time in her life that she was being as assertive and as grumpy as her only daughter and Alice had to trump her ace.

      Jack was right, it had to be something serious. Since she’d been a little girl Alice had hardly