Page 89 of Be Less Panda

‘Does your son work in the German Embassy?’ Mark asked.

‘Yes - in Helsinki,’ he grinned.

Lucy chuckled. She could see what Nancy saw in Klaus.

He carried on with his story. ‘Our mutual friend settled for escorting me here to check I wasn’t lying, which was a relief. I didn’t want to have to outrun him. I’m rusty at all that.’

Mark looked alarmed.

‘More vegetables?’ Nancy said, pushing the serving plate towards him, presumably as a distraction technique.

‘No more, please, Mother. I’m full now, thanks.’

‘I’m sure you’ve still got room for dessert, knowing you,’ she said, collecting his empty plate. ‘It’s your favourite.’

‘Not strawberry blancmange again.’

‘Of course not. I realise you’re 37, not 7. It’s sherry trifle. Will that do?’

‘That would be fantastic. Thank you.’

‘Klaus - give me a hand, will you.’ Nancy shepherded him out of the dining room.

‘You’re going to be like the side of a house if she keeps this up,’ Lucy said to Mark when they were alone in the dining room.

‘Don’t worry. The novelty of mothering me usually wears off after 24 hours.’

‘Feeling more relaxed about Klaus now? He seems very nice.’

‘I’m intrigued why he has previous experience of evading the law. But yes, he does seem ok.’

‘Just ok?’

‘Well, alright. She’s obviously very pleased he’s here.’

‘You don’t begrudge her some happiness in her twilight years, do you? If we’re globetrotting, and Jack and Em are tied up with raising a family, she deserves to have someone of her own to spend time with.’

‘But she’s got her friends.’

‘Not ones who have a twinkle in their eye like Klaus. And her friends are dwindling in number. She’s outlived several of them already. Covid might see off a few more.’

‘Now look who’s being cheery. Klaus is no spring chicken.’

‘He looks quite fit to me.’

Mark glared at her.

‘Not in that way! I meant he looks healthy.’

‘We’ll see how healthy he looks after a few months of living with Mum. ‘

43

‘This evening went well,’ Nancy said as she snuggled up to Klaus in bed.

Klaus put his arm around her. ‘Are you sure? Lucy likes me, but I don’t think Mark is happy that I’m here.’

‘He’ll come round to the idea. I should have said something when he phoned this morning. It wouldn’t have been such a shock to see you standing in the drawing room if I had.’