Page 88 of Voice to Raise
He grinned, pecked her on the cheek, grabbed the rose-patterned platter with the veggies, and headed out.
I put the precooked tray of apple crumble into the oven.
Mickey appeared. “Malik said you had a tray of fruit?” They were slightly hesitant.
Mama laughed. “Roped you in, did he?” She passed over the tray. “All ready to go. Spencer is working on the desserts.”
“Well, I can do that.” Mickey met my gaze. “You should be enjoying yourself.”
“I am, trust me.” I gestured to Mama. “Best company in the world.”
Mickey smiled. “Yes, I can see that.” They took the tray and headed back toward the guests.
“Nice person. Always quick with a smile.”
“They’re going to be filming a documentary.” I eyed Mama. “If any of the band members have skeletons in their closet, Mickey will ferret them out.”
Mama waved away my concern. “Nothing they can’t handle.”
I assumed when she saidtheythat she meant the band members—including both her son and Malik. “I hope you’re right.”
I opened the fridge. “I got mini chocolate éclairs. I hope they didn’t get soggy when I defrosted them.”
“Well, I’ll just have to check for you.” Mama grinned wickedly.
“Of course.” I handed her the bucket, tongs, and a plain kitchen plate. This was chocolate—no one was going to care what the delights were served from. “I also have mini-Nanaimo bars.”
Mama licked her lips. “I’ll have to taste test them as well. Finally, I will tell you a secret.”
I stilled.
She waved me off. “Nothing like that. I spoke to Pauletta earlier—she’s friends with Hugo Threadgold.”
I cocked my head.
“He’s dating Axel Townsend. Well, they’re engaged.”
“The lead singer from Grindstone? I didn’t realize you have a connection to the band.”
“Passing acquaintance. Renee. She’s a teacher at a high-end private school. One of her kids was accused of a crime they didn’t commit. Renee was an alibi, so to speak. I worked with her to convince the authorities they had the wrong person in custody. We keep in touch.”
“That student was lucky they had not one but two people who cared.”
Again, Mama waved me off.
I did wonder why a student who attended a high-end private school required a legal aid lawyer. Perhaps a scholarshipstudent? None of my business, of course, but I was curious. “So you know Renee.”
“Yes.” Mama pointed to the éclairs. “Perfect.” She sighed. “I almost wish they weren’t so I could eat them all myself.”
“I promise to always have some in the freezer for when you come to visit.”
“Lovely.” She finished arranging them on the plate. “I think I might distribute these myself. To keep Freddie from eating all of them at once.”
“You’re not worried about Creed or Malik?”
She snickered as she slid off the bar stool which had really been too high for her—but she’d managed. She always found a way to cope with everything life threw at her.
I admired her for that.
