Leo got out, ran round the car and opened the door for her. He ushered her up to the door. ‘Thank you so much for a lovely evening,’ he said, stealing her line. ‘I do hope we can do something like it again.’

‘I’d like that very much,’ said Gilly, suddenly desperately shy. ‘I’ve had such a nice time. Thank you so much.’

He kissed her lightly on both cheeks. ‘I’ll be in touch. Soon.’

Chapter Eight

From the moment Amy had arrived to pick Helena up for a weaving workshop, Helena could tell that Amy had gossip. She didn’t say anything on the journey and Helena decided not to give her friend the gratification and ask her.

When they’d arrived at the venue and done most of the setting-up, Helena caved in.

‘So why are you looking so pleased with yourself?’ she asked, ostensibly checking the list of names she had in front of her. ‘You’re looking amazingly smug and you obviously have big news.’

‘I have such brilliant gossip you will not believe it! And it’s really nice gossip too, nothing nasty.’

‘So, tell me?’

‘Not sure we’ve got time now. Everyone’s pretty much here. But afterwards, deffo.’

Helena considered that Amy’s use of rather old-fashioned slang was one of the many things she loved about her. Her habit of leaving you hanging was less endearing. But Amy had a point, people were ready to start and they should crack on.

‘So,’ said Amy when the session was over and they were driving back to Helena’s, ‘my mum saw yours yesterday evening.’

‘Who? My mum?’

‘That’s what I said!’

‘If that’s the gossip, it’s very lame.’

‘It’s all about the context! She saw her at that posh opera thing.’

‘Well, that’s nice. I didn’t know she was going.’ Still not proper gossip.

‘With a man! Not just any man, a gorgeous one. Mum said he was a silver fox!’

‘Oh.’ Helena felt put out and a bit worried about her mother. ‘Why didn’t she tell me she was going? How did she even dress herself without my going over her wardrobe?’

Amy understood there was more to this than Helena’s objection to not being consulted and shrugged her shoulders. ‘She’s a free agent. She can go out with whoever she likes without asking permission.’

‘No she can’t!’ said Helena, knowing she was being unreasonable. ‘Supposing she gets carried off by a conman? A “silver fox”, you say? That doesn’t sound like he’s trustworthy, does it?’

‘No, but it sounds like he’s hot. And being hot doesn’t make you a bad person. I should know!’ Amy pointed to herself and made a face. ‘Seriously, Helly, I thought you’d be delighted, your mother meeting someone. She’s been on her own long enough.’