Page 98 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
Stacey flushed, and the fact didn’t escape Ottilie. How those two weren’t a couple yet was a mystery for the greatest minds of the age, because anyone could see they fancied each other like mad and got along famously too.
‘And of course,’ she added, as if to take the heat out of the situation, ‘some other people. I expect I’ll ask most of the film club.’
‘Most?’
‘I can’t…well, I can’t very well ask Flo in the circumstances, can I?’
‘You can ask her if you want to. I doubt she’d come – not once she finds out I’m going to be there, anyway. She’s barely a member of the film club these days; she never comes and I think that’s down to me. In fact, I know it’s down to me. I feel a bit bad about it, really.’
‘It’s her choice. She’s the one making it weird, so don’t feel bad. Relationships come to an end and there’s no point in being petty about it. Nobody promised marriage at the end for you and Heath, but she seemed to think the moment you got together it was a given. It’s a silly and childish way to look at things.’
‘Well, I don’t have a problem with you asking her.’
‘I’ll probably ask Lavender and Dr Cheadle and Charles too, though I doubt those two will come.’
‘Lavender will – try keeping her away from a party.’
‘It’s not really a party. It’s a few burgers and a couple of drinks in my garden.’
‘Lavender will turn it into a party.’
Stacey grinned. ‘If she wants to I won’t complain. I just don’t want anyone expecting too much.’
‘I think everyone knows the score with this sort of thing. Want me to do any food for it?’
‘You can if you like, but don’t go mad. I’m going to ask Magnus if he can order some meat in from that nice butcher in Kendal. Gets it with a decent discount so there should be plenty there. Maybe you can do some salad if you really want to, and I’m sure you’d make something whether I said to or not, because I know what you’re like.’
‘I can’t turn up to a thing empty-handed – you know that.’
‘Yes, I know. So you’ll be there.’
‘Sounds lovely. I’m looking forward to meeting Chloe’s boyfriend too. I’m quite surprised she’s agreed to this.’
‘Honestly, so am I. Must be love, eh?’
‘He does sound like a keeper. What’s his name?’
‘Oliver.’
‘Right. I’ll try to remember.’
‘I’m looking forward to it. It’s ages since I’ve had a get-together at our house.’
‘I’m looking forward to it too.’
Stacey raised her eyebrows. ‘Are you?’
‘Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?’
‘It’s… nothing.’
‘You think I’m still sad about Heath.’
‘Aren’t you?’
‘A bit, but that doesn’t mean I have to stop living, does it?’
‘No. But still… ‘
