“You are moving too fast, Mama. I want you here
and I want everything to be perfect for my friends when we
fish and shoot. No one can organise that as well as you. If
nothing else – you will show her how to do it.”
“I can see your point,” she agreed. “Now, dear boy, you must tell me what I am to say to the family who will all be having hysterics, having read of your engagement in The Gazette before we told them that you had decided at last to settle down.”
“I wonder how often I have heard the words ‘settle down’? I only hope, Mama, that when we meet my bride, we are not all disappointed.”
“If I have to keep your secret and pretend that you have met her and fallen in love, then we will have to work out what we say and make sure everyone believes us!”
Rock laughed and kissed his mothe
