Chapter 29

“Please, call me Bess.” She held Barry at arm’s length. “Sarah at the store told me all about you.” Barry was about to reply when she continued. “Oh, sorry, you’re about to eat, I should go and—”

“No, Mom, you’ve only just got here,” Jimmy said.

“Yes, please stay, Mrs. Uh, Bess.” Barry added. “And eat with us.”

“I couldn’t. I—”

“What with five hungry mouths, I always make plenty,” Barry said, pulling out his chair between Jake and Jimmy and gesturing for her to sit in it. “I’ve just started serving and it needs to be eaten straight away.”

Barry worried they’d already delayed too long. His mother was the most mild-mannered of women, but if any of their guests kept her Yorkshire puddings waiting, there was usually words said.

Bess took her seat and looked curiously at the food.

“Yorkshire puddings,” Barry explained.

“And Barry’s actually from Yorkshire,” Jimmy added, putting a couple on her plate.