Free Summer of Love by Katie Fforde

strong. I think there’s some Côtes du Rhône.’
    ‘I’ll find something. I think I know what’s needed now.’
    ‘The champagne is already in the fridge. I decided against cocktails. They’re no fun unless they’re incredibly strong and that can end up being a bit antisocial,’ she said a little hesitantly.
    ‘Good choice,’ said James, possibly sensing that Fiona was wondering if she should chop a mountain of mint for mojitos, in case.
    ‘Will the champagne be too cold, do you think?’ Fiona was glad about the mint really. She did have enough to do without that, and she had insisted Sian go home after a long stint of helpful peeling and chopping and moving furniture out of the conservatory.
    ‘I don’t think you should worry about any of these things. After all, you’ll take it out of the fridge to take into the garden, won’t you?’
    ‘Of course. I wish I could stop fussing.’
    ‘You’re not fussing, you’re just preparing. Now, the wine?’
    Fiona exhaled, allowing herself to relax just a little. It wasn’t that she hadn’t given plenty of dinner parties over the years, but for some reason this one was making her unusually strung out. ‘The cellar’s through that door and down some steps. Will you be all right or do you need me to show you?’
    ‘I’ll be fine,’ he said firmly, disappearing down into the cellar.
    ‘And I’ll answer the door if anyone comes early,’ said Sian who had just reappeared, showered and changed and looking fresh and pretty in a summer frock. She obviously sensed that Fiona was panicking. She took the apron from her and propelled her towards the door. ‘Now, go and get dressed!’
    Fiona got downstairs on the stroke of half past seven.
    ‘You look amazing!’ said Sian, kissing her. ‘Really lovely! No one would ever know you’d spent all day slaving over a hot stove and moving furniture.’
    ‘I totally agree,’ said James, smiling. ‘I hope you don’t mind, Sian let me use the bathroom to freshen up a little.’
    ‘No, of course I don’t mind!’ said Fiona, feeling expansive and generous. ‘And if you want something different to put on, my son has some shirts here. Some of them are quite wearable.’ She smiled. ‘In fact, some of them are still in their packets. I’m always buying him clothes. He says, “Thanks, Mum, they’re great,” and never opens them. You might feel the same way about them, of course.’
    ‘That would be kind. This shirt has expired, really.’
    ‘Let me find them for you—’ Fiona was about to lead James upstairs when Sian stopped her.
    Sian was firm. ‘No, Fiona, point us in the right direction and we’ll find the shirts. You go and have a drink and prepare to greet your guests. There’s a bottle of champagne open. James didn’t think you’d want to do it just when you’re greeting your first visitor.’
    Obedient and grateful, Fiona went out to the garden where Sian had arranged candles and fairy lights round the paving in such a way that a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream would have seemed appropriate. Perhaps it was just a little over the top for a dinner party – even a large, al fresco one – but there was an atmosphere of expectancy, as if magic was indeed about to happen, and Fiona was thrilled.
    Honeysuckle perfumed the air and the jasmine in the conservatory wafted its contribution. A discerning sniff and Fiona detected roses. They were so lucky with the weather! Later in the summer this heat would seem oppressive and desert-like, now it was just wonderful.
    As she sipped the glass of champagne that James had poured her before he and Sian went upstairs she decided she was glad Robert hadn’t been able to come early. Now he could see everything perfect without having had to take part in the mechanics of getting it right. Then she remembered how many times he’d mentioned the house and hoped he didn’t think it was all for his benefit. The other guests would appreciate it too.
    The