family now. We did, even before Jessica disappeared, but I think it’s true to say that this dreadful time has brought us closer together?’ She was looking at Blake for confirmation.
‘I sometimes wonder how I’d have got through it without you all,’ he admitted. ‘You’ve been so kind and supportive.’
Touching an affectionate hand to his cheek, Lucie went to investigate the bags Graeme had left on thedesk and immediately began chuckling as she pulled out what looked like children’s party costumes.
‘They’re going to look so cute,’ she cried. ‘Two princesses and a little knight in shining armour. I’m guessing Katie chose them?’ she asked Graeme.
‘Of course. I just collected them.’ To Andee he said, ‘My sisters, one of whom is Lucie’s mother, are having a little get-together on Friday evening, and the children have decided they want to dress up for it.’
Instantly warming to Lucie, Andee smiled.
‘They’re seeing themselves as the stars of the show,’ Lucie confided, ‘and knowing Rowzee she’ll make them feel that they’re nothing less, in spite of it being an adult affair.’
‘Are we talking about Rowzee Cayne?’ Andee asked, feeling certain they must be. To Graeme she said, ‘I had no idea she was your sister.’
Before he could respond Lucie said, ‘The whole world knows Rowzee, or that’s how it seems at times. Were your children in her class – presuming you have children, which you might not, but if you do . . .’ She broke off as Graeme’s hand gently silenced her.
Laughing, Andee said, ‘Both my children were students of hers and they absolutely loved her. In fact, she’s the reason Alayna, my youngest, is studying English Lit. and Drama at Bristol. I believe it’s where Rowzee went.’
‘It is,’ Lucie cried excitedly. ‘Does Rowzee know that?’
‘Oh yes,’ Andee assured her. ‘She took Alayna out to celebrate when Alayna was accepted.’
‘That is so Rowzee,’ Lucie laughed. Rashly, she added, ‘I know, why don’t you come to the party on Friday? Rowzee would absolutely love it if you did.’
Stunned, Andee said, ‘I’m sure your aunt doesn’t even remember me . . .’
‘Of course she does. Rowzee never forgets anyone, and anyway, you’re quite famous around here. Please don’t say no. Your husband is invited too, of course. My mother will be beside herself to meet him, the old mayor’s son, but I have to warn you, she’ll probably get on his case about following in his father’s footsteps. I expect he gets that a lot?’
‘From time to time,’ Andee admitted, still feeling bedazzled by the invitation and wondering if she ought to be turning it down.
‘Lucie, you’re almost as bossy as your mother,’ Graeme chided. However, to Andee he said, ‘They really would love it if you came.’
Lucie was regarding her with such eagerness that Andee threw out her hands as she laughed. ‘It’s very kind of you, and if you’re sure Rowzee won’t mind, I’d love to come, but I don’t think my husband . . . He’ll have other . . .’ She was making a mess of this. ‘I’m not sure what he’s doing on Friday, but I guess . . . Speaking for myself, I’d love to come. Thank you.’
With a whoop of joy Lucie exclaimed, ‘They are going to be so pumped when I tell them. They’ll probably roll out the red carpet, knowing them.’
‘I hope not,’ Andee laughed. ‘Is it a special occasion?’ she thought to ask. ‘Someone’s birthday?’
‘My mother’s,’ Lucie replied, ‘but she’s pretending it’s Rowzee’s. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t have a clue. My mother’s just weird like that.’
‘Actually, I can explain,’ Graeme stepped in. ‘Pamela – Lucie’s mother – always says it’s Rowzee’s birthday when they’re having a party, because she’s convinced that the sun only ever shines on Rowzee. If she owns up that it’s her big day she’s sure it’ll rain.’
Andee and Blake
‘I sometimes wonder how I’d have got through it without you all,’ he admitted. ‘You’ve been so kind and supportive.’
Touching an affectionate hand to his cheek, Lucie went to investigate the bags Graeme had left on thedesk and immediately began chuckling as she pulled out what looked like children’s party costumes.
‘They’re going to look so cute,’ she cried. ‘Two princesses and a little knight in shining armour. I’m guessing Katie chose them?’ she asked Graeme.
‘Of course. I just collected them.’ To Andee he said, ‘My sisters, one of whom is Lucie’s mother, are having a little get-together on Friday evening, and the children have decided they want to dress up for it.’
Instantly warming to Lucie, Andee smiled.
‘They’re seeing themselves as the stars of the show,’ Lucie confided, ‘and knowing Rowzee she’ll make them feel that they’re nothing less, in spite of it being an adult affair.’
‘Are we talking about Rowzee Cayne?’ Andee asked, feeling certain they must be. To Graeme she said, ‘I had no idea she was your sister.’
Before he could respond Lucie said, ‘The whole world knows Rowzee, or that’s how it seems at times. Were your children in her class – presuming you have children, which you might not, but if you do . . .’ She broke off as Graeme’s hand gently silenced her.
Laughing, Andee said, ‘Both my children were students of hers and they absolutely loved her. In fact, she’s the reason Alayna, my youngest, is studying English Lit. and Drama at Bristol. I believe it’s where Rowzee went.’
‘It is,’ Lucie cried excitedly. ‘Does Rowzee know that?’
‘Oh yes,’ Andee assured her. ‘She took Alayna out to celebrate when Alayna was accepted.’
‘That is so Rowzee,’ Lucie laughed. Rashly, she added, ‘I know, why don’t you come to the party on Friday? Rowzee would absolutely love it if you did.’
Stunned, Andee said, ‘I’m sure your aunt doesn’t even remember me . . .’
‘Of course she does. Rowzee never forgets anyone, and anyway, you’re quite famous around here. Please don’t say no. Your husband is invited too, of course. My mother will be beside herself to meet him, the old mayor’s son, but I have to warn you, she’ll probably get on his case about following in his father’s footsteps. I expect he gets that a lot?’
‘From time to time,’ Andee admitted, still feeling bedazzled by the invitation and wondering if she ought to be turning it down.
‘Lucie, you’re almost as bossy as your mother,’ Graeme chided. However, to Andee he said, ‘They really would love it if you came.’
Lucie was regarding her with such eagerness that Andee threw out her hands as she laughed. ‘It’s very kind of you, and if you’re sure Rowzee won’t mind, I’d love to come, but I don’t think my husband . . . He’ll have other . . .’ She was making a mess of this. ‘I’m not sure what he’s doing on Friday, but I guess . . . Speaking for myself, I’d love to come. Thank you.’
With a whoop of joy Lucie exclaimed, ‘They are going to be so pumped when I tell them. They’ll probably roll out the red carpet, knowing them.’
‘I hope not,’ Andee laughed. ‘Is it a special occasion?’ she thought to ask. ‘Someone’s birthday?’
‘My mother’s,’ Lucie replied, ‘but she’s pretending it’s Rowzee’s. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t have a clue. My mother’s just weird like that.’
‘Actually, I can explain,’ Graeme stepped in. ‘Pamela – Lucie’s mother – always says it’s Rowzee’s birthday when they’re having a party, because she’s convinced that the sun only ever shines on Rowzee. If she owns up that it’s her big day she’s sure it’ll rain.’
Andee and Blake
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