Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
That’s enough dating reality television for Nana.
Granny nodded slowly. “And our Deli is just so gullible, isn’t she? She’s too nice to everyone. I worry she’ll get swept up by a ruffian.”
Who? Me? Too nice?
What world are these two old coots living in?
“I know, Maggie, I know. I do hope you’ll keep an eye on her when I’m gone. Make sure nobody is taking advantage of her and all that.”
It’s you, Nana. It’s you two taking advantage of me right now.
“I just don’t think she’s going to introduce us to her boyfriend, Judy. It might be better if we stop pushing her. I know you want to meet him, but you’re not leaving us just yet, and I’m sure our Deli doesn’t want to introduce someone if they’re not too serious.”
I don’t want to introduce anyone. There’s nobody to introduce.
“Oh, I know, I’m just so worried about her. What if she never meets the right person and she’s left all alone?”
Someone call the BAFTAs, we’ve got winner of the lead actress over here.
“I won’t allow it, Judy, dear. I’ll make sure our Deli is well looked after. Besides, you know Fred would never abandon her.”
That’s debatable.
“But he’ll get married one day, Maggie.”
To me, if you two have your way.
“Oh, I think he learnt his lesson with Charlotte when she sowed all that discord between them. Like Deli says, they’re only friends. Fred would never marry a woman who couldn’t accept their friendship.”
He almost did, though, Granny.
Nana sighed, resting her hand on her powdered cheek. “I just can’t imagine why she won’t tell us anything about her boyfriend. Is it him? Is it us? The more I think about it, there must be something wrong with him.”
Oh, bloody hell.
“I’m coming to a similar conclusion. He’s wrapped in secrecy, she’s reluctant to introduce him—why, she’s even unwilling to allow Fred to approve of him.”
He doesn’t exist, that’s what’s wrong.
“Oh,” Nana said, laying it on thick. “I really would feel so much better if Fred approved of him.”
I’m going to explode.
“There, there, dearie,” Granny said, reaching over and patting her hand. “I’m with you. I’d feel so much better knowing our Fred approved of our Deli’s boyfriend.”
“Of course Fred approves!”
They both stopped and stared at me.
Was that… me?
Shit.
That was me.
I said that.
Why the bloody fucking shitting hell had I done that?
Why didn’t someone just hand me a spade? I was already digging a hole for myself—I might as well make it my flipping grave at this point.
“Deli…” Nana said gently. “I thought you just said you wouldn’t be going to Fred for approval of your boyfriend.”
Granny tilted her head to the side, a playful glint in her eye. “You said you wouldn’t even introduce him, sweetie.”
Goddamn it.
There was only one way out of this.
She’d won.
Considering she’d told me to think very hard about marrying Fred and changing our friendship beyond our control, she’d done a stellar fucking job of coercing me into opening my big, fat mouth without thinking.
I swallowed. Hard. Maybe I was trying to swallow my tongue so I could no longer talk and say stupid things.
Alas, I wasn’t sure it was physiologically possible.
Shame.
I took a deep breath and huffed it back out. “I can’t introduce him to himself, can I? And of course he’s going to bloody approve. Have you met his ego? The man thinks he’s the hottest thing next to the equator. He’s stupidly fond of himself.”
Nana froze, gripping Granny’s hand. “Delilah Elizabeth Peters. Are you telling me that you’re dating Frederick? The Earl of Coventry? Our Fred? Ginger-haired, freckle-faced, your best friend, Fred?”
Sadly, yes. Yes, I was.
I nodded. “Now, you know why I didn’t say anything.”
“Maggie.” Nana grabbed her arm with her other hand. “Is it true? Did you know this?”
To her credit, Granny acted the part of a woman who’d just had both the biggest shock and delight of her life. “No, Judy, I had no idea!” she replied excitedly, clasping her hands. “They’ve hidden it very well—oh, I really must have caught them cuddling the other day!”
“That’s it, Granny,” I said flatly. “You got us.”
“Oh, dear.” She pretended to look embarrassed, but her eyes gave away her mischievous side. “Tell us the details, sweetie! How long have you been secretly seeing one another? Does he know Nana wants you to get married? Is he going to propose to you?”
I swear to God—
Nana’s phone rang in her bag, and while she fumbled inside for it, I glared at Granny and pointed at her before I mimed slicing my neck. She fought back a laugh at my silent threat, hiding her smile behind her teacup.
“Oh, it’s the nurse with my blood test results. I’ll be right back,” Nana said, getting up and weaving her way through the tables, bobbing happily with each step.
“She’s so spritely,” Granny said, marvelling after her. “You’d never think she was… well.”