Page 33 of The Impossible Fortune
Not for the first time.
‘You are very kind to come and see us, Holly,’ says Joyce.
‘I don’t know if it’s kindness,’ says Holly. ‘I want to find Nick. I thought perhaps you could help.’
‘Even so,’ says Joyce, ‘I baked you some brownies to say thank you.’
Joyce hands over a Tupperware box. Ibrahim notes that the box looks quite heavy.
‘They’re a bit dense, I’m afraid,’ says Joyce. ‘But I didn’t have a lot of warning you were coming, and I accidentally overdid it with the flour.’
Holly nods a thank you, and puts the brownies in her bag, Ibrahim noting the handle of the bag straining on the chair as they land.
‘Are you Joyce?’ Holly asks.
‘For my sins,’ says Joyce.
‘Joanna’s mum?’ Holly asks.
‘Yes,’ says Joyce. ‘I mean, more than just Joanna’s mum, a woman in my own right, but, yes. Are you friends?’
‘No,’ says Holly. ‘I know her by reputation.’
‘All good I hope!’ says Joyce.
Holly doesn’t reply.
‘Of course strength training is important too,’ says Ibrahim. ‘May I pour you a glass of white, Ron?’
‘Not this evening, thanks,’ says Ron. ‘Wedding headache.’
‘It really was a terrific wedding, Holly,’ says Ibrahim. ‘I’m so sorry you couldn’t come.’
‘Work,’ says Holly. ‘And once you’ve been to one wedding –’
‘You’re not married, Holly?’ Joyce asks.
‘Am I wearing a ring?’ asks Holly.
‘Well, no,’ says Joyce. ‘But Joanna says not everybody wears a ring, so I didn’t want to assume.’
‘Is Joanna wearing a ring?’ Holly asks.
‘She is,’ says Joyce.
‘I’ll bet,’ says Holly. ‘Good for her.’
Ibrahim is not sure he remembers the last time that Joyce met someone she was unable to charm.
‘No kids, Holly?’ Ron asks.
‘They’re not compulsory,’ says Holly.
‘Don’t blame you,’ says Ron.
‘Haven’t met the right man, perhaps?’ says Ibrahim.
‘Something like that,’ says Holly. She turns to Elizabeth. ‘They said you can help me find Nick?’
