The Perfect Match by Katie Fforde Page A

but he’s more of a weeder than a planter.’
    Bella nodded, resolving to ask around to see if the right person could be found. ‘So what are you going to do on your birthday?’
    ‘The family are taking me to a hotel for lunch,’ she said.
    Bella regarded her friend thoughtfully. ‘You don’t look wildly enthusiastic about the prospect?’
    Jane shook her head. ‘They’re all rather stuffy, my family. Some of them even call me “Cousin Jane”. And I suspect them of wanting me to move so they can get my money before I actually die. Dominic can’t come.’
    ‘We are hopeless, aren’t we? I’m not excited about my wedding and you’re not looking forward to your birthday. Tell you what, if you’re not sick of lunch after that, why don’t you come to me and Alice on Sunday? Alice is brilliant at Sunday lunch and I know she’d love to meet you. Hotels are lovely but home is the best place for a roast, I always think. They can’t seem to get the roast potatoes right in restaurants.’
    Jane laughed. ‘I agree with you there, but although that sounds very nice I think you should ask your godmother first! You can’t invite strange people to lunch without asking her.’
    Bella produced her phone. ‘I’ll text her. But I know she’d be delighted.’ Bella was fairly sure about this. Alice liked doing Sunday lunch, but when it was just the two of them they didn’t bother often. It would be lovely to have Jane over and spoil her a little. They could relax and focus on good food, and eat it companionably at the big kitchen table. Then, if the weather co-operated, they’d have tea in the garden.
    Taking Alice’s assent for granted, Bella looked up at Jane. ‘I’ll pick you up at about twelve thirty?’
    ‘But you will ring and tell me if Alice even hints that it would all be too much, won’t you? I’d hate to put her out.’
    ‘Honestly, it won’t be any trouble and I know she’d love to have you. I’ll help her and clear up afterwards.’ She smiled. ‘You’re worth washing up a few greasy pans for.’
    Jane chuckled, satisfied at last.

Chapter Eleven
    ALICE WAS PLEASED when she got Bella’s text. Cooking a nice roast for a nice old lady was just the distraction she needed. It was a much more suitable occupation for her than obsessing over her phone and her email. But the fact that the text was from Bella and not Michael had caused a few moments’ disappointment. Then again they hadn’t really got into texting yet. They both preferred emails, which were longer and gave one more scope.
    ‘Just as well I cleared that end bed then,’ she said when Bella got home. ‘I wouldn’t like to have Jane Langley, famous gardener, to lunch with my own garden looking neglected.’ She was aware that her garden was in fact a bit neglected. She used to spend hours in it but not lately. It just wasn’t the focus of her life any more.
    ‘You don’t mind? Thank you so much,’ said Bella, giving Alice a hug. ‘I’ll go to the organic butcher and get a nice piece of – what do you think?’
    ‘Why don’t you see what he’s got? A leg of salt marsh lamb would be nice. I can still do Yorkshire puddings.’ She smiled. ‘I don’t suppose you fancy coming to the garden centre with me? Or are you working this Saturday? It would be easier for me to decide what to put in that flowerbed if there are two of us.’
    ‘No, I’m free. I’d love to come with you. And I’ll help you put the plants in. It’s so kind of you to agree to have Jane.’ She frowned suddenly. ‘Do you think I should invite Nevil?’
    ‘No,’ said Alice, not pausing to think about it. ‘Let’s just have a girly lunch. Nevil doesn’t care about gardens.’
    ‘Fair enough. I’ll tell him about it, and then he won’t want to come.’
    The garden centre was huge and only partially dedicated to plants and garden accessories. However, it had an excellent café and Bella and Alice always liked to have an excuse to go there.
    ‘Let’s