Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell [50]
`Well, I still think you're mad.'
`Not mad, just bored. And look on the bright side,' Florence said cheerfully. `It'll annoy Bruce and Verity no end.'
Bruce and Verity weren't the only ones. Miranda was relieved to hear Greg's footsteps on the stairs.
`You aren't thrilled,' said Florence as Greg appeared in the doorway. `I'm sorry, darling. Maybe I should have asked you first.'
She sounded disappointed. Miranda chewed her lip as guilt kicked in. It really wasn't like her to be so uncharitable.
Oh, all right, so selfish and stroppy and mean.
This was Florence's house, after all. She could fill it with whoever she liked.
`Don't worry, it's fine by me.' Miranda turned to Greg. `Florence is collecting waifs and strays,' she explained. `We're going to have a homeless pregnant girl moving in.'
`Rather you than me,' said Greg. He jangled his car keys, impatient to leave; pregnant women weren't his favourite topic of conversation.
`The thing is, the room's going to need redecorating.' Florence looked at Miranda. `I wondered if you wouldn't mind giving it a coat of paint before she moves in.'
`No problem.' Miranda nodded vigorously, eager to make up for her grumpiness earlier. She touched Greg's sleeve. `We could do it on Sunday, couldn't we? Make it look really nice.'
`I'd love to,' Greg lied, `but I'll be pretty busy myself this weekend. I'm moving too, remember.' Clasping Miranda's hand, he pulled her to her feet. `Right, we'd better be off. Nice meeting you,' he added, flicking back his fair hair and smiling broadly over his shoulder at Florence.
`Oh, and you.'
`I feel a bit rotten,' Miranda murmured, out in the hall.`I wasn't very nice when Florence first told me about this girl moving in.'
`I'm not surprised.'
`Still.' She paused, half in and half out of her jacket. `It might be fun. Babies can be cute, can't they?'
`Do you mind if we change the subject?' said Greg, opening the front door. `You're beginning to sound like Bev.'
`Chloe's doing what?' Bruce pressed the phone to his ear and gestured furiously at his son to lower the volume on his Play Station. `Mother, hang on - I can't hear a word. Jason, for crying out loud, turn it down. Now, Chloe's doing what?'
`Moving in with me,' Florence repeated with maddening cheerfulness. `Isn't it the most marvellous idea? Killing two birds with one stone!'
I should be so lucky, thought Bruce. Anger began to well up in his chest. Oh, this was too much.
`I don't see what's so marvellous about it.' His voice was cold. `I don't see why you have to interfere with matters that have absolutely nothing to do with you. For heaven's sake, Mother, you don't even know Chloe!'
`I do now. She came to see me last night.'
`She came to see you?' Bruce spluttered. `You mean she-?'
`Don't get your knickers in a twist,' Florence interrupted. `I asked her to. Chloe needs somewhere to live and I have room to spare. I don't understand why you're shouting at me, Bruce. I thought you'd be pleased.'
Bruce's mind was in such turmoil that for a couple of seconds he couldn't remember why he wasn't. Then it came to him: he was planning to sack Chloe.
Soon.
He exhaled heavily. Once you'd sacked an employee, it was easier all round if you never had to clap eyes on them again. If Chloe was going to be living with his mother, that wasn't going to happen.
It would, in fact, be bloody awkward.
Knowing Florence, Bruce thought darkly, that was more than likely why she'd done it.
For this reason alone, he forced himself to calm down. `Okay, I can see why it helps Chloe out. But what's in it for you?'
`I'll be getting myself a house-sitter,' Florence replied chirpily. Now that Miranda's found herself a young man, she's not going to be around so often. All the hanky-panky, I imagine, will be taking place over at his flat. And I'm going to be away a fair bit myself, of course… did I tell you that Orlando and I are thinking of Vegas?… so it makes sense to have someone here, taking care of the house.'
Las Vegas.
Bruce shuddered.
Twenty-four-hours-a-day