Shelley and Thomas leaned left and right respectively to allow Sasha to maneuver the giant saucepan onto the waiting trivet, before taking her own seat. There proceeded to be a merry hubbub as bowls were passed around the table to be filled by Nory’s dad, and a scramble for the butter dish as knives were hungrily dug into crispy rolls.

“Who’s picking the boys up today?” Sasha asked.

“I’ll get ’em,” said Jake. “Is it swimming club tonight?”

“Nope, karate,” Thomas replied. “Their kits are in the office.”

“I’m going up to the castle after lunch,” said Shelley. “I’ve got a last-minute meeting with Pippa and Jenna about the wedding garlands, and Pippa’s got a job she wants to run by me for January.”

“There isn’t time for extracurricular work,” said Thomas, ripping a chunk of bread with his teeth.

“It isn’t extracurricular,” Shelley replied, completely unperturbed by her husband’s attitude. “Pippa will buy the stock and pay me through the business, just like any other job we take on.”

“Only for twice the money,” added Jake. “Don’t be a hardhead over this, Thomas. It makes good financial sense. This is the kind of contact that could really grow the business.”

“I don’t think Thom would have such a problem with it, if it wasn’t one of my friends,” Nory remarked, staring at Thomas.

Thomas scowled back. “Shut up, Nory,” he snapped.

Sasha slapped her hands down on the table before any more bickering could take hold.

“Thomas, you’re being silly and stubborn. Whatever your problems are with Nory’s friends—obviously not you, love.” She rested her hand on Ameerah’s. “You should be proud you’ve got such a talented wife. And it’s talent that’s got her noticed.”

“I love Pippa, but she’s a hard-nosed cow when it comes to business,” Ameerah added. “And she’s got a hell of a good name in the city. She was consulting for Fortnum and Mason last year on their food hall displays.”

“Really?” Sasha exclaimed. “Oh, Shelley, this is such a great opportunity for you.”

“For us,” Shelley corrected. “I’m doing it all under Noel and Son. And if it takes off, I’ll be needing your expertise, Sasha.”

Sasha nodded, looking pleased.

Thomas huffed and tucked the hair that had loosed itself from Shelley’s ponytail behind her ear.

“I’m being an arse,” he said to his wife. “Ignore me.”

“Already on it.” She squinted her eyes at him and gave him a friendly elbow in the ribs.

“At this rate you’ll have to change the facias to Noel and Family, Dad,” Nory said, sneaking a sideways wink at Thomas, who glared back at her.

“Maybe we will,” said her dad. “Credit where it’s due. This family is built on good honest graft, and there’s not many can say that.”