Part 35 (2/2)

'Really?' Hal's face lit up. 'For my twenty-first?'

Loveday stepped in before Mickey could reply. 'Darlin', this all needs a bit of thinking about. Now go up to bed and don't wake the girls. They'm got their exams in the morning. We'll talk about this when we're all less tired.'

Loveday wondered about what was happening with Jesse. What with that awkward conversation they'd had at the office, plus the drinking ... what would Greer be making of it all? Loveday tried to crush the creeping sense of anxiety, but it nagged away at her as she returned to bed and tried to get off to sleep.

In the morning, Loveday knew she had to speak to Greer. It took a few moments to connect to Greer's mobile, and four or five rings before she picked up.

'Greer, it's Loveday.'

'Morning, Loveday. How are you?'

'Fine. I wanted to talk to you about something.'

'Sorry, you're breaking up. I'm in the lanes on my way to Mevagissey. There's a woman there with the most wonderful antiques. She has a Victorian claw-footed bath, needs restoring and re-enamelling but that's OK, it means it'll be a bargain, and a fabulous, huge oak dresser. She reckons it's seventeenth century, but I need to look at it to be sure-'

Loveday broke into her chatter. 'Can you hear me now?' she asked.

'Sort of, but you're coming and going. Can I ring you back when I'm on my way home later? Is it anything important?'

Loveday took a deep breath and told her. 'Jesse wants to buy Hal a car.'

'What?'

'For his birthday.'

'Sorry, I'm only getting every other word. I'll call you later.'

It was just before lunch when the phone on Loveday's desk went.

'h.e.l.lo, Loveday Chandler.'

'Darling, it's me, Greer. The dresser was a let-down. Early nineteen hundreds and pine, not oak. The bath has a crack through the middle and will leak through an entire house. Total rubbish, and I told her so. Anyway, the upshot is that I'm ten minutes away from Trevay. Shall I swing by for a coffee and you can talk to me about this car business?'

Loveday's stomach was rumbling and she needed more than coffee. 'How hungry are you?'

'Not at all. I never eat lunch nowadays.'

Loveday's heart sank. She had been considering a macaroni cheese. She tried her chances. 'The Fo'c'sle do nice coffee. They've put in a team of baristas and everything.'

'Oh, yes, I'd heard that. OK. See you there.'

The new owners had really turned the old place around. Where there had been lines of Formica-topped tables, striplights, and condensation-clouded windows, there were now cosy corner tables, subdued lighting and air conditioning. The hiss and gurgle of the state-of-the-art coffee machine lent the whole place an air of European sophistication. A smart young waitress dressed to look like an early American bartender, with striped waistcoat, white s.h.i.+rt and long ap.r.o.n, welcomed her.

'Where would you like to sit. Inside or out?'

The spring suns.h.i.+ne was bright and the tables outside in the rear courtyard were inviting with their cus.h.i.+oned chairs and jolly parasols. 'Outside would be lovely, thank you.'

'I'll bring you a menu in a moment.' The waitress walked back inside and Loveday perused the menu. The macaroni cheese looked so tempting but, fearful of Greer's disapproval, she settled for a starter-sized portion of smoked salmon.

'Hi, Loveday. What a glorious day.' Greer, wearing sungla.s.ses and carrying an enormous leather handbag, was heading towards her. 'So glad you chose to sit outside. I've been cooped up in that huge tank of a car for hours.' Greer sat elegantly on the chair opposite Loveday and, raising a slender arm in the air, summoned the waitress.

'Yes, Mrs Behenna, what can I get you?'

Greer looked at her over the top of her Fendi shades. 'Miri? How lovely to see you. Home from uni?'

'Yes, just for the Easter holidays.' The young waitress held her notepad in one hand and searched for her pen, stuck into her straggly bun of hair, with the other. 'How's Freddie?'

'He's fine. Working on the fis.h.i.+ng fleet and he's just got on the crew of the lifeboat.'

Miri gave a couple of rapids blinks. 'The lifeboat? Well done him. I bet he looks good in his uniform.'

'He certainly does,' smiled Greer. 'You should give him a bell.'

'Do you think so?'

'Of course. He'd be delighted to hear from you.'

'Well, in that case, I might ... depends how busy I am ... Anyway, what can I get you ladies?'

'Loveday, you first, I'm still choosing,' said Greer.

'I'd like the salmon starter and a pot of green tea, please,' Loveday said with an enthusiasm she did not feel.

The waitress wrote the order down. 'And for you, Mrs Behenna?'

'Actually I'm rather hungry. No time for breakfast this morning. I'll have the macaroni cheese, please, and a skinny latte.' Loveday couldn't believe her ears.

'Well, if you're having the macaroni, I'll join you. Thank you.'

'Great. I'll be back with the drinks in a minute.'

When Miri had gone, Loveday asked Greer how she knew her. 'She was at school with the boys. Don't you remember? Miranda? Her mother lives over at Trevone. Was an actress? I did her conservatory for her. She had a splendid divorce and has plenty of cash.'

'The one with the suede fringed jacket, blue sports car and the b.o.o.b job?'

'That's the one.'

'Miri was sweet on your Freddie, wasn't she?'

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