6
“Isn’t Lauren’s birthday coming up? Why haven’t I received an invitation?”
Paul’s mother’s peevish tones tunnelled into his ear. He gripped the phone and took a deep breath to collect his thoughts. “Lauren hasn’t confirmed what she wants.”
“Well, she’d better hurry. Some of us have lives that cannot easily be rearranged to suit her.”
Paul gnawed his lip. His mother had never liked Lauren. She was too much like Wendy. Anyway, what would his mother possibly have to rearrange? Hair and skin appointments? Playing bridge?
“Lauren is thinking of having a joint party with another friend after their August exams.”
“But we’re her family.”
He was not going to let his mother rile him.
“At this stage, I don’t know if there will be a family get-together,” Paul said. “Wendy said Lauren might p
