Have you seen this article?’ Jane’s mother-in-law demanded the moment Jane opened the front door. ‘I haven’t been able to think of anything else since I read it!’
As Carol bustled through the front door without waiting for an invite, Jane felt her heart sink. Her day off; she’d been looking forward to dunking a few digestives in front of Homes Under the Hammer. And maybe after that, getting the stepladder out to do some Christmas decorating (she really shouldn’t have left it so late).
She followed Carol warily into the living room, hoping her mother-in-law wouldn’t comment on the lack of festive touches on display, beyond the wonky string of cards from organised well-wishers that had been hung over the mantelpiece.
Luckily (or possibly unluckily), Carol plonked straight down on the sofa, waving a cutting from a newspaper. ‘Jane, this is of the utmost urgency!’
Jane felt a tingle of alarm. She did her best to accommodate Carol’s unannounced visits (after all, she was a widow and Tom’s beloved mum) but sometimes, they taxed her diplomatic skills.
