‘You’re welcome,’ I smiled, running a hand over Lily’s curls before returning to my seat.
‘Uncle Mikey?’
‘Mmmhmm?’ Michael smiled at his niece in answer, his mouth full of battered fish.
‘I wish you’d married Katie. She’s nice.’
Michael continued chewing his food, his face giving nothing away.
‘So what exactly happened this afternoon, then, with the bike, I mean?’ Patrick asked, deftly changing the subject. I could have kissed him.
‘This room is looking great,’ Janey said to me as she took a walk around the room after dinner, stretching her back and rubbing her baby bump. She stopped at the dresser and looked at the photos I’d rearranged earlier.
‘Was that the Iron Man challenge?’ she asked, holding the photo up to Michael and Patrick.
‘Yeah. God, that nearly killed me.’ Patrick looked at his brother-in-law. ‘Remind me never to listen to anything you say again if it starts with the words “I’ve got a great idea”.’
‘Oh, you loved it!’ Janey said, laughing. ‘Look at your little face in this.’
‘Tears of a clown,’ Patrick replied.
‘Or maybe just a clown,’ Michael added.
‘Ah, look at that,’ his sister picked up another frame. ‘I love this one of you and little Monty.’
‘He was hardly little.’
‘No. But he thought he was. He loved sitting on your lap. It was adorable.’
‘Some people found it less so.’
Janey sniffed. ‘Yes, well. There’s no accounting for taste. I don’t know why you don’t get another dog. You loved that mutt to bits. It’d be great company for you.’
I turned and met Michael’s gaze with a triumphant look.
He just gave a little shake of his head, rolled his eyes and turned back to concentrate on Lily who was now trying to crawl her way up onto his lap.
‘Sorry about the awkward moment earlier,’ Janey said, as I helped her back into her coat. Lily was now sleeping in her father’s arms and they were about to head home.
‘Oh, don’t worry about it.’
‘One of Lily’s friend’s has parents going through a divorce at the moment and let’s just say, I don’t think it’s amicable. The poor little thing understands enough but not enough, if you know what I mean. And since her friend has been coming in upset, Lily has developed a fear that Patrick and I are going to split up.’
‘I suppose that’s understandable in a way.’
‘Oh, totally. We’re just trying to reassure her that it’s all OK.’
‘I think most children worry about their parents splitting up at some point.’
‘Sadly, you’re probably right.’
Michael and Patrick joined us, little Joey holding his uncle’s hand. Mikey leant over and kissed his niece’s temple. She barely stirred.
‘I’m so sorry about earlier. I didn’t think.’
‘It’s all right. We know you’re an idiot and that we have to make allowances for you at times.’
Michael pulled a face, kissed the top of his sister’s head and touched her bump. ‘Look after yourself.’
‘I might say the same to you. I’ll be asking Katie here to report back, you know.’
‘A spy in the camp, eh?’ Michael winked at me.
‘Not a very good one, I’m afraid. I haven’t another appointment with him for a few days now, which hopefully will give him time to rest a little at least.’
‘Is that a hint or another order?’
‘I don’t mind how you take it so long as you do it.’
Janey grinned. ‘See? I knew she was the one for you.’ She looked up from pulling on her gloves to find us both looking at her.
‘I meant for this!’ she said, waving her hand around to indicate the house. ‘For this job. She won’t be putting up with any of your lip.’
‘I never give anyone lip.’
I snorted. Michael ignored me.
‘If you say so. Either way, it’s incredible the difference she’s making already.’
Patrick hoisted Lily a little higher, her arms dangling over his shoulders. ‘Definitely. I love the dining room now. With those bookshelves in there and so much less clutter, it’s really beginning to look like a home Mikey. The woman is a miracle worker.’
I laughed. ‘Hardly. But we’re getting there.’
‘Still got those ugly as sin curtains in the living room though, I see.’ Janey wrinkled her nose.
Michael frowned. ‘Since when don’t you like them?’
‘Since always! They’re so wrong for that room. Don’t tell me you like them?’
‘No, I don’t.’
His sister looked at him, questioning.
‘I know! I know! They’re coming down tomorrow.’
I put a hand on Michael’s arm. ‘Well, maybe not tomorrow but soon. I don’t think stretching about lifting heavy curtains will do much for your injuries right now.’
‘Listen to her.’ Janey pointed at him.
He gave a little salute, but I could see the strain of the day beginning to show on his face.
‘Now, are you lot ever leaving?’ He clapped Patrick on the shoulder, thanking him for coming round and telling him he’d see him at the rugby club, even though he wouldn’t be playing. Joey gave his uncle a hug around the waist and then transferred his hand to his mother’s as they left the house. We stood and waved before Michael, having waited until they’d got to the car, closed the door against the freezing air that was making us both shiver.
‘I’d better be going too,’ I said. ‘I’ll just nip and get the bits from the dining room and put them in the kitchen for you.’
Michael caught my arm as I made to turn.
‘Katie. I’m not an invalid and you’re not my maid.’
I blinked. ‘I know that. But it won’t take a minute.’
He didn’t let go.
‘OK. This obey thing? Does it go both ways?’
‘No.’
‘Why did I have a feeling you were going to say that?’
I smiled.
‘I’ll clear the stuff in a minute. If I don’t move around, I’ll stiffen up and everything will feel twice as bad. Believe me, I know from experience.’
Reluctantly, I stepped back to get my coat. ‘You should go and have a soak. That might help.’
‘Sounds like a good idea.’
‘Don’t fall asleep in there though.’
Michael tilted his head and sighed. ‘Do you ever stop worrying about other people?’
‘I’m not worried. I’m just saying.’
‘Right.’