Three Amazing Things About You(122)

‘You must be Lena.’ Patrick reached across to shake her hand. ‘We’ve heard all about you.’

‘Oh. Well if she’s said anything bad, just ignore her. It’s not true.’

Flo said, ‘Would you like to meet Alexandra?’ because so far Lena hadn’t so much as glanced at her new niece.

‘Who? Oh, the baby. Let’s have a look at it then.’

‘It’s a girl,’ Flo reminded her, tilting Alexandra towards Lena so she could see her properly. ‘Would you like to hold her?’

‘No thanks. Bit small. Might drop it.’ Lena turned and gazed at the baby for several seconds. Finally she said, ‘No need for a DNA test, then.’

Had she seriously been planning one? Then again, with Lena, anything was possible.

Gently, Flo said, ‘There was never any need for a DNA test.’

‘Suppose not.’ Lena heaved a sigh. ‘Go on then, I’ll hold her for a bit.’

Flo passed the baby over and showed Lena how to support the back of her head. ‘There you go. Don’t worry, you’re doing fine.’

Lena’s expression softened. ‘She looks just like Zander.’

‘She really does.’

‘I miss him so much.’ A tear was glimmering now in her eye.

‘I know.’ Flo nodded; it had been tough for Lena too. She’d known and loved Zander for six months, but he’d been Lena’s brother for thirty-four years.

‘I’ve never held a baby before,’ said Lena. ‘It feels quite nice.’

Smiling, Flo said, ‘It does, doesn’t it?’

‘Who’s looking after Jeremy while you’re in hospital?’

‘Sarah from the downstairs flat.’

‘You could always ask me to keep an eye on him, you know. I’m not a cat murderer.’

Let’s hope not.

Aloud, Flo said, ‘I know, but Sarah’s right there. It’s easy for her to pop in. And I’ll probably be going home tomorrow.’

It had come as a terrible shock to Lena when she’d first learned from Mary, the solicitor, that Zander’s baby would now be inheriting his estate. But to her credit, she’d slowly come round to the idea. Flo had agreed that she could carry on living in Zander’s flat, and she seemed grateful for that. As Mary had crisply pointed out during their meeting, she was lucky to still have a roof over her head.

Lena nodded. ‘OK. What time do you two think you’ll be leaving here this evening?’

She was addressing Patrick, who pushed back his sleeve and checked his watch. ‘Another half-hour? Visiting ends at eight.’

‘So would you be able to give me a lift back to Clifton?’ said Lena. ‘I had to catch a bus to get here this evening. It was awful.’

Amused by her shudder of distaste, Patrick nodded. ‘That’s fine, it’s not far out of our way.’

‘Thanks.’ Lena was now looking askance at his shirtsleeves. ‘Your cuffs are frayed.’

Patrick kept a straight face. ‘I’m afraid they are. Frayed.’

‘But why would you wear them like that?’ Lena was evidently horrified. ‘You look like a tramp! Why don’t you buy a new shirt?’

‘I like this one.’ Neither remotely bothered nor taking offence, Patrick added, ‘It’s my favourite.’

‘But looking good is important. Trust me, when this baby’s old enough to wear proper clothes, I’m going to make sure she looks stylish. These things matter.’

He shrugged. ‘To you, maybe. Not to me.’

‘You should make more of an effort,’ Lena retorted.

‘You sound like my ex-wife,’ said Patrick.

Flo, sitting up in bed with Alexandra cradled in her arms, loved the way Patrick refused to be intimidated by Lena. She exchanged a secret smile with Margot.

‘I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking,’ said Lena.

‘And I don’t care. So if you don’t want to catch that bus back to Clifton,’ said Patrick, ‘it might be time to start keeping your thoughts to yourself.’

Oh yes, he knew how to handle her all right.





Chapter 55


‘OK, I’m off. Busy day. Some of us work normal hours.’

Tasha opened her eyes and smiled sleepily up at Rory. It was seven fifteen and he was already showered and dressed for work. She lifted her head for a kiss. ‘Serves you right for having a normal job. I don’t have to get to mine till midday.’

‘Lucky you. I’ll be home by six.’ Another kiss. ‘See you later.’

‘Bye.’

When he’d let himself out of the house, Tasha texted Sandra, the photographer she was booked to be working with today. One of the better tabloids was running a feature in its Sunday magazine and they were often chosen to do jobs together. Hi, just double-checking. The Carrick Hotel in Chelsea at noon, right?