‘Is that the same as the WI?’ Nell asked. It wasn’t exactly the point, but Brenda’s social life was a whirlwind of confusing clubs.
‘No, it’s not.’ Brenda gracefully moved her bag from one arm to another. ‘They don’t make jam.’
‘Hey, Cat,’ said Nell. She’d told Cat in good faith about the wreath-making event and about getting Niall in, knowing that Cat would keep it quiet. What torture had Brenda used to get it out of her? Or maybe Brenda had heard it somewhere else. The event had been talked about in town and the local paper had even mentioned it. Worryingly though, she’d thought Cat was working today and knowing how she loved her job and her patients, she was surprised to see her. ‘I thought you had patients to see today?’
Cat cast her eyes down. ‘I moved a couple of appointments to help Mum out. Where’s Niall?’ she asked, brightening a little.
‘He’s downstairs in the kitchen.’ Cat seemed suddenly far more alert and happier to be there. She made to move off, but Nell grabbed her arm. ‘But he’s working, preparing some more snacks for the wreath-making. You can talk to him in ten minutes once the residents are here and we’ve got started. Until then, please can you two wait in the lounge? Brenda, can I get you a tea or coffee?’
Brenda’s face was a picture of repressed disapproval, her lips pursed together in an unattractive line. She clearly thought she could come in and roam around the place like she owned it, and while Nell didn’t mind Cat doing that because they’d been friends for so long, Brenda was too apt to find fault. After the last few ‘helpful’ comments, Nell didn’t let her anywhere unaccompanied anymore. ‘Tea, please. Earl Grey, but I don’t suppose you have it.’
‘I do,’ Nell replied happily and motioned to the lounge for them to make themselves comfortable.
Brenda and Cat plonked in a seat by the window while Nell and Tom began laying out everything on the tables. They didn’t have quite enough scissors to go around and only two glue-guns, but Tracey had suggested Tom was in charge of those. She didn’t need a health and safety disaster on her hands with residents gluing their fingers together or to anyone else for that matter.
Just before the minibus arrived, Niall popped upstairs with another plate of truffles and more chocolate bark. Though Cat thought she hadn’t noticed, Nell saw the way she sat a little straighter when Niall walked in. Since Kieran and Cat had got together at uni, no man or woman had ever got close to either of them. That she was seemingly interested in Niall in the run-up to her wedding was extremely worrying. It wasn’t like Cat at all, but she was still refusing to change her mind over the dress and Nell didn’t want to mention it anymore for fear of them falling out. Was this playful behaviour a superficial front for her feelings over the dress? Or was there some other underlying unhappiness that Nell was yet to identify? Deep down she was sure Cat wanted to marry Kieran from the way she was around him. She was back to her old self whenever she was with him, happy and affectionate. It was all very confusing.
‘Hi, Niall,’ Cat said, getting to her feet and walking into the dining room as he laid out some more food. ‘How are you?’ Nell watched her linger by Niall’s elbow.
‘I’m good. You look nice today.’ He leaned in closer and Nell edged over to make sure she could hear. ‘I’m sorry your mum didn’t like the buffet choices.’
Cat glanced behind her, checking Brenda wasn’t earwigging. ‘The only reason she didn’t like them was because we made them without her. It’s not your food, she’d have found fault with whatever we chose.’
‘Mums, hey?’
Niall had been friendly enough, but Nell needed to keep everything on track for the care home. ‘Niall? How’s the mulled wine going?’
He turned to face her. ‘Fabulous. The whole kitchen smells like Christmas. I’ll bring it up as soon as the mayor arrives. Just pop down and let me know, or text me, okay?’ He made his way back downstairs to the basement kitchen and Cat was forced to sit with her mum in the lounge.
A minibus arrived out front and half of the residents slowly emerged from the side. Never had Nell been happier to have installed the gentle, easy-to-walk-up ramp that led to her front door. Running to greet them, Tom followed behind. ‘Hi everyone, come on inside it’s lovely and warm, and we’ve got treats and hot chocolate and mulled wine.’
Tracey bustled over. ‘After we’ve unloaded this lot we’ll head back and get the rest. Everyone’s so excited.’
‘Is Grandad Nigel here?’ asked Tom, looking around.
‘Not yet – he’s on the next run.’
Tom nodded, but for some reason seemed reluctant to move and he blinked in the daylight. After a second, Nell said, ‘Tom, shall we head back inside and start settling people at the tables?’
‘Yeah, yeah sure.’
Once they were moving, he relaxed again, and she slid her hand into his and gave it a squeeze. He looked down at her and the concern on his face sent a sudden wave of a deep, heavy, unnamed emotion down her spine. ‘This is going to be awesome. So, is everyone doing one each?’
‘Yeah, or if they’ve got bad sight they can work with a partner. I’m guessing Grandad will work with Edith.’
‘I’m so looking forward to this. Aren’t you?’
‘I am,’ he replied. ‘Is Harry around today?’
‘No, he’s out with his family again. I think it’s so sweet, don’t you?’
‘Hmm.’ But she could tell he didn’t agree. She got a strange feeling that maybe he didn’t like Harry, but had no idea why. He’d been perfectly pleasant
