Fantastic! We’ll have to get together. You’ll have to come over for a meal.’ Izzy Reynolds injected a note of false gaiety into her voice as she spoke to Mari Clancy, an old schoolfriend who was ringing from Dubai. ‘Is Brett coming with you?’ ‘Er . . . no, not this year. Things are a bit crazy at work and he can’t take time off Mari sounded glum. ‘Oh . . . poor Brett,’ Izzy sympathized, privately relieved that the wealthy consultant wouldn’t be around to patronize her and Bill with his boastful tales of life in the Emirates. ‘So, look, how about the day after Stephen’s Day? You know the way the diary fills up, and Mam will have me doing the rounds like nobody’s business,’ Mari said briskly. ‘I’ll be looking forward to it,’ Izzy lied, thinking that a visit from Mari was the last thing she needed. They talked for another while, swapping gossip and news and Izzy was glad it was Mari who had called.
