Page 75 of If We Were Young

“We’ll need to leave your house at eight thirty at the latest,” he called, crisp and professional.

“Fred!” I shouted as I walked out of my office. “We’ve got to talk.”

* * *

“Scotland?” Ma snipped at the stem of the rose in her hand and thrust it into the vase in the middle of the table. The roses had failed in their intended role as a sweetener.

“Believe me, I don’t want to go.” My eyes stung a little. So pathetic. I’d have shot myself if I weren't so scared of making a mess on Ma’s floors.

She fluffed the leaves of the roses. “These are like the ones your dad used to bring home every Friday night.”

“I know, Ma.” I didn’t roll my eyes because it was obvious she needed to have a moment, but I did a huge internal one for my own satisfaction.

“He was such a sweet man.”

“Yes, he was.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. “He was a good man. I never remember him shouting or you two arguing.”

For a moment Ma’s attention hovered far away, her fingers still resting on the dark-green leaves of the pale-pink roses. “That’s very true. He was always happy to just do what I wanted, never gave me any problems even before we got married. Now, Veronica, tell me about this trip.”

“It’s with Supersaver Foods. We are doing their rebrand as you know, but the company is in serious trouble. I didn’t realise how much they had running on the relaunch.”

Ma held her finger. “So, your business, which is also struggling, is now helping to fix another business which is also struggling?”

I thought of Matthew in my office this morning. Angry again.

“Yes, I guess you could put it like that.”

“And Scotland? Why there?”

“Because that’s where the company is based.” I paused for a moment. “Mum, I’m a grown woman. I don’t have to ask permission to go away.”

The finger wagged, so I cut in quick. “I’m asking you, as Hannah’s grandmother, if you could keep an eye on her; but if it’s a problem, I can ask Ange. She’s down here at the moment, I think.”

“Well, I suppose it’s a relief you won’t be up in Scotland with her. Who knows what trouble you’d get in to.”

My shoulders dropped. “Ma, what do you see when you look at me? I’m thirty-five for God’s sake.”

Her shrewd glance swept my face. “I see your father, actually.”

“Really?”

She turned her back and took the vase to the sink to fill it with water.

“I will ring Hannah and tell her I’ll need to pick her up from the party early. Am I taking her to meet Ange or bringing her back here?”

Time ticked by. The clock seemed to be turning faster than usual, and I hadn’t packed. That was a good thing though. If I was rushing, then I couldn’t think of going to Scotland with Matthew.

I needed to not think about that until the last possible moment.

“Here, Veronica. It’s her home. And then I suppose I’d better cancel your date for tomorrow night.” She huffed.

Jeez. Had everyone taken cranky pills?

“Thank you.”

The door rang at eight as I hauled my small cabin case down the stairs. “I’ll get it.” I launched myself down the last three steps, but Ma, who’d been on standby for the last fifteen minutes, hovering in the hallway, got her hand to the latch first.

“Good evening.” I couldn’t see him, but my body reacted to his voice alone.