Miss Potterton's Birthday Tea by Amanda Prowse

because in my head I’ve been referring to them as Huey, Dewey and Louie.’
    He stared at her as if she was bonkers. ‘Right, do you have numbers for any of them?’
    â€˜Oh yes!’ Her face lit up as she remembered. ‘I’ve got Dewey’s!’ She rushed to a drawer and pulled out a circular from the Residents Association. ‘Can I borrow your phone, Marl?’
    He handed it over slowly, thinking of his depleting credit.
    Tina turned away from them both; she didn’t want to be watched while she made the call.
    â€˜Oh, hello, it’s Tina here. I’m Miss Potterton’s cleaner... Yes, cleaner. Anyway, the reason for my call is to see if you are able to come to her birthday tea today. We were expecting you at three and so…’ She turned and looked at Ian and frowned. ‘Oh, I see!’ She listened some more. ‘Oh really? Well, that’s a shame. But thank you and sorry to have bothered you. Yes, I will. Thanks.’
    She handed the phone back to Marley. ‘Apparently Dewey had already called to say that she and her two mates were unable to attend. And she happened to know that the Govington-Doo-Dahs are on holiday. They also phoned, apparently.’
    â€˜And spoke to Cordelia?’ Ian asked.
    She nodded. The two stared at each other for a second or two. Then Tina clapped her hands together.
    â€˜Okay, this is what we do. Marley, you make a pot of the finest Darjeeling. I’ll bring the sandwiches and cakes through. Dr Ian, you go and remove the plates and bits and bobs we don’t need, and we will try and dazzle your aunt with our lovely food and distract her with our great company. Come on, Marley, shake a leg!’ she urged. ‘And we shall just have to hope that Mr Tyson-Thingy shows up as a kind of last-minute gift!’
    â€˜Right, so I’m on distraction and plate removal, got it! And yes, do hurry up, Marley. I’m bloody starving!’ Ian spoke with gusto, as if he was having fun.
    Tina laughed, noting his emphasis of the swear word. He was great.
    She approached the table carrying a three-tiered cake stand crammed with delicate, crustless sandwiches.
    â€˜Good God, this is all rather lame! I’ve been to more atmospheric wakes.’ Miss Potterton sighed.
    â€˜Okay, well, apparently, Mr and Mrs Govington—’
    â€˜Govington-Holmes!’ Miss Potterton snapped in irritation.
    â€˜Yep, them. Well, they are on holiday.’
    Miss Potterton sniffed.
    â€˜And the three ladies from the Residents Association are also now unavailable.’
    â€˜Unavailable? What does that mean? Makes it sound like I’ve missed my appointment.’ She tutted again and then adjusted the pearls at her neck. ‘Maybe it’s time I admitted that I am just not as popular as I thought!’
    â€˜Oh, bless…’ Tina whispered, feeling her heart twist, wishing that Miss Potterton was the type of woman who liked a hug, knowing it would make them both feel a lot better.
    â€˜The good news is…’ Tina smiled brightly. ‘That you get to enjoy the company of me and Dr Ian and Marley. And the good news for us is... there’s more cake and sandwiches to go round. And I for one can’t wait!’
    Without waiting to be asked, she took a seat at the table and laid the napkin on her lap. She watched as Miss Potterton dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. Disappointment was shitty, whether you were nine or ninety-four.
    â€˜Come on, Marley, where’s that tea?’ she called towards the kitchen.
    â€˜Does he know to add one for the pot?’ Miss Potterton asked.
    â€˜Oh, don’t you worry. He might not have attended many tea parties, but that boy knows about making tea!’ She beamed.
    â€˜I would very much like to see your mother too.’ Miss Potterton turned to her nephew as though they were mid conversation. ‘She was such a kind soul.’ Her voice was