‘Face cream?’ she says. ‘If it isn’t like you to go off at a tangent just when I need some help.’
‘So, what cream are we talking about?’
She flaps her hands again. ‘The cream for the trifles, of course. What did you think I meant?’
There’s never any real way to tell what she’s talking about when she’s in this mood, so I give her an encouraging nod. ‘You’ve lost the cream for the trifles?’
‘Of course, I haven’t lost it!’ she says. ‘Elaine’s rung to say their fridge went out last night, and all the cream was in it. She doesn’t know what time the power went out, so she doesn’t dare use it. Imagine poisoning an entire wedding reception!’
‘She could have put it out in the snow,’ I say. ‘That would have kept it cold.’
Mum gives me an annoyed look. ‘It’s easy to be wise after the event, isn’t it? There’s nothing for it. You’ll have to drive out to the farm shop and pick up some more.’
‘Can’t they deliver it?’ I ask. I’m still barely half awake, and Mum is making even less sense than usual.
‘Apparently not,’ she says. ‘Go and get dressed. You can take your father’s car. I have no idea where he is. Typical man!’
I know from long experience that it’s pointless engaging with Mum when she’s in this sort of state.
I yawn. ‘I’ll have a shower and get dressed.’
‘Don’t dawdle!’ she says. ‘Elaine needs it as quickly as possible. The caterers will be there soon to start work. She says that Robert’s nowhere to be found either.’
‘Maybe he and Dad are having a quick round of golf before the ceremony,’ I say, immediately regretting it when Mum’s face turns almost purple.
‘If I find out that’s where he is, I’ll murder him! I told him I needed him here this morning in case there were any last-minute hiccups.’
Twenty minutes later, I pull up outside the farm shop. There’s only one other car outside. I run into the shop, clutching the piece of paper Mum has given me. There’s no one serving, but there’s a man waiting by the counter. I’d recognise the back of that head anywhere.
I take an instinctive step back towards the door, but the jangle of the bell makes him look around.
His face lights up when he sees me. ‘Annie! What are you doing here?’
I stare at him, confused. What am I doing here? For a moment, I can’t remember. Something about trifles and food poisoning.
‘Cream!’ I manage at last in a slight croak.
His face crinkles into that familiar smile. ‘Quite a coincidence. Both of us here on the same errand.’
‘You’re here for cream too?’ Realisation dawns. ‘For the trifles?’
‘What else? Apparently, our fridge went out last night. The trifles themselves were ok, but Mum doesn’t dare risk the cream. So, she sent me on a dairy run.’
‘It’s a pity she didn’t call my mum first. She sent me on exactly the same errand.’
‘Liz was the first person she called,’ he says. ‘I suppose they must have got their wires crossed somehow.’
He takes a step towards me. ‘It’s good to see you, Annie. I was really happy when Mum told me you were coming to the wedding. Are you coming to the party too? Maybe we can catch up there.’
‘I’ll probably come for a little while,’ I say.
He’s looking at me with all the old warmth in his eyes. ‘I’m glad to hear that. I really want to talk to you.’
‘I may not be able to make it,’ I say. ‘I’m supposed to be meeting a friend.’
‘Bring them too,’ he says. ‘There’ll be plenty of food. And someone will have to eat all the leftover trifles.’
‘I’ll tell him.’