“I wouldn’t say no,” Jane murmured and Fliss grinned.
“It’s true you don’t exactly fit the vision in my head.”
“It keeps our brains sharp and it’s fun, even though Rita usually wins.”
Dora tutted. “Because none of us can ever read her expression.”
“That’s the Botox,” Rita said cheerfully. “And I like the sound of men throbbing with testosterone. Could we invite a few for our next session?”
Fliss laughed. “Are you playing for cookies?”
“Goodness no. Money.” There was a gleam in her grandmother’s eye. “What’s the point otherwise?”
Fliss decided there was plenty she still had to learn about her grandmother.
“I’ll take Charlie and leave you all to your gambling habit.”
“Thanks, honey.” Her grandmother put her cards down on the table. “She’s been walking Hero for Matilda and Charlie for me twice a day. He’s looking better for it. Lost a bit of weight and he’s calmer. Better behaved. She takes him to the beach and lets him run.”
Dora glanced up. “I thought it was Harriet who was going to come and stay with you until you’re back on your feet.”
“Turned out it was Fliss.” Her grandmother’s voice was calm. “Which was lucky for me. She’s sorted out all my paperwork and my finances, which were in a horrible mess. And she’s great with Charlie.”
Rita looked confused. “I thought Harriet was the one who has the gift with animals.”
“Fliss has a gift, too. And she’s not as soft as Harriet. They know they can’t mess with her, which is a good thing. And she has a savvy business brain, does my Fliss. She’s built a thriving business from nothing, and in New York City, where thousands of businesses go under daily.”
Fliss felt a rush of gratitude. She wasn’t used to people defending her. She was usually the one doing the defending.
“If we’re moving on to that subject, I need more tea.” Jane helped herself. “When your grandmother starts, there’s no stopping her. If we let her, she’d spend our entire poker session boasting about you.”
Fliss smiled. “I think you mean Harriet.”
“No, dear, I mean you.” Jane stirred her tea. “She talks about you all the time. So much so that sometimes we have to give her a warning. We all boast about our grandchildren, but she does it longer and louder.”
Fliss felt a rush of confusion. “She talks about me?”
“Of course. She’s very proud of you.”
“You never met a stronger, braver, more determined woman than my Felicity.” Rita and Dora chorused the words together and then burst into laughter.
Her grandmother sent them a cool look. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t boast about my granddaughter?”
Her grandmother talked about her with her friends? Boasted about her? She was proud? To her horror, Fliss felt her throat thicken. “I’d better take Charlie. He’s waiting by the door.”
Dora took a sip of tea. “You’re lucky, Eugenia. I wish there was someone who could help walk my Darcy. I’ve kept his walks very short since my arthritis started playing up. He does miss the beach so much.”
Fliss was relieved at the change of subject. The lump in her throat dissolved without causing further problems. “I could walk him for you.”
Dora lowered the cup. “Would you?”
“Why not? I’m here, I have time on my hands, and I’m already walking Hero and Charlie.”
“If she does, then you’ll pay her,” her grandmother said. “And you’ll pay her a fair rate.”
“I’m starting to understand why you’ve never sold this place to all the people who come knocking,” Rita said. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“My house has never been for sale. Nor has my friendship. And you can laugh all you like, but my granddaughter is not running a charity. She runs her own business, you know, in Manhattan.”