Page 161
Sometimes Evie thought her mother worried more about Marwick’s than anything else. “Mum, don’t worry. The shop’s fine! If Jamie needs help, Gemma’s in the kitchen, and I’m on speed dial.”
“I know, but—” Marianne’s shoulders dropped. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?”
“Yup!” said Graham, squeezing his wife’s arm as the teenagers ahead of them claimed seats on the waltzer. “Let it go, love. Evie was fine working solo. Jamie will be, too.”
“Old habits.” Marianne stepped forward in line and turned suddenly. “Oh, Nick?”
“Yeah?” He rubbed Evie’s back.
“Don’t overdo it on the treats here. I baked two dozen cupcakes for dessert later.”
Nick grinned. “Aw, cheers, Marianne. Can’t wait.”
Leaving behind the loud music blasting from the adult midway, Fiona removed her hands from Lily’s tiny ears. “I love all this: Marianne baking for Nick, you two happily together with your dogs and gorgeous house. You know, I’m totally taking credit…”
“Here we go.” Evie smiled and rolled her eyes.
“…’cause it was me who told you both to get over yourselves and talk already!”
Evie’s brows rose. “Both?” She glanced at Nick. “She was harassing you, too?”
“Oh god yeah. In the makeup trailer, in line for the portaloos…”
Fiona looked pleased with herself. “Worked, though, didn’t it.”
“Mummy!” Darting through the crowd with a bright grin, Poppy clutched her mother’s right leg, her fingers tinted fluorescent pink.
Sunita followed in her footsteps. “Eves, look! Pops bought you candy floss…” She handed over a paper cone, bare except for a sad wisp of pink fluff.
Fiona tsked as her middle daughter released her knee. “Poppy!”
“It was yummy!” She hopped on one leg, her latest quirk.
“It is! Thank you, sweetie.” Evie pulled the sticky strand free and slipped it in her mouth as Poppy stomped in a muddy puddle, splashing Nick’s wellies.
He didn’t seem bothered, though. “Helicopter ride, Pops?”
“Pleeese, Nee-coh!”
Scooping Poppy up under her arms, Nick spun around and began humming “Gonna Fly Now”, the theme from Rocky.
“Ava’s with her friends.” Sunita’s announcement was soundtracked by Poppy’s adorable airborne giggles. “Apparently, hanging with me is totally uncool now.”
“Don’t take it personally, Sun. Happens to the best of us,” said Fiona. “What time’s your flight?”
“Half five. I can’t believe I’m leaving already. Feels like I just got here.”
“Well, if you’re missing us that much, you could skip sunny Spain in December and spend Christmas here instead…” Evie pouted for effect as Nick lowered a laughing Poppy to the ground. She wobbled and staggered like a pint-sized drunk.
“It’s a deal—but only if Nick plays in the Ba’.” Sunita pursed her lips in a dare as Evie collected dizzy Poppy’s sticky hand.
“And let you miss out on all that delish turrón and sangria?” Nick countered with a nonchalant shrug. “I couldn’t possibly!”
Evie laughed. “Did you get your first editor’s letter finished?”
“Nearly,” said Sunita. “I’ll finish on the plane.”
“My girl! Editor-in-chief of Bella Faith magazine—”
