Page 20 of A Very Happy Easter

Mama

Do you want us to pick you up for Angus’s exhibition tomorrow? Seems silly to take two cars.

For Pete’s sake.

Me

I already said I’m not going, but thanks for the offer.

Heath

There’s another possible coming to take a look tonight, but he says he works from home. Not sure that’ll fit with my shift pattern.

Me

What does he do?

Heath

Sales. He was hazy about exactly what he’s selling.

Mama

It’s important that you be there. Remember how supportive the Burns family was when you started Vocare?

I did remember. Not only had they made a sizeable donation, but Angus’s sister was a graphic designer who’d helped with our branding.

Me

If there were fewer people there, I would absolutely go.

Heath

Go where?

Shit.

Me

To Angus’s art exhibition. Sorry, that was meant for my mother. As long as the guy isn’t selling weed, how bad can it be?

Me

If there were fewer people there, I would absolutely go. Perhaps you could pick out the least grim painting for me?

Mama

I don’t mean to sound insensitive, my darling, but it’s been over a decade. You need to start getting out more.

Me

I’m trying, okay? I’m still recovering from Eisen’s wedding.

Mama

We’ll pick you up at seven. You don’t need to stay for long, but there are people you should meet.

Oh no. Translation: one or more of her friends had invited a “nice boy,” and they were going to try and marry me off again. Never mind how many times I’d explained I wasn’t interested in dating. Several years ago, Mama had sat me down and told me that love wasn’t the most important consideration when it came to choosing a partner; he just had to come from a good family. Have the right background. It was all about preserving wealth, and if I didn’t have heirs, where would my money end up? To me, the answer was obvious—Vocare and a selection of other deserving charities—but Mama didn’t much like that solution.

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