42
Lisa sat at the far end of the dining table, smiling at Nick. She’d officially worked her last day in her old job. The change from Nick’s generous donation had paid for enough studio time for the Stars to record their new album next month. Her bags were packed, ready for her to fly to LA tomorrow with Nick while he finished filming his latest movie. She was the happiest she’d been in a long, long time.
To celebrate, they had a full house for Sunday lunch today. Nick had had to extend the table to fit everyone around it.
Jim, Ally, Sophie and Grace were on one side, along with Eloise and Jordan. Pete and Andy were opposite, with Tez and his wife, Mags, and Ed with surprise guest Allegra, who had been more appreciative of Ed’s chat up lines than Pete and Lisa had predicted.
Lisa insisted Brad join them as well. ‘You’re always welcome in our house,’ she’d told him. ‘Nick and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.’
‘I thought you were moving,’ Andy said to Lisa while Jim carved the joint of beef.
‘Nick gave me the money to buy Greg’s share of the house,’ Lisa said. ‘So I’m not selling up now. In fact, the only person who is moving is Nick.’
Sophie looked worried. ‘Where are you moving to, Grandpa?’
‘Here,’ Nick said. ‘Once I’ve finished this film, I’m moving in with Nanny.’
‘No more sleepovers?’ Sophie said.
Lisa laughed. ’This is Grandpa’s home now, as well as mine.’
‘Weren’t you looking for somewhere in Regent’s Park?’ Pete asked Nick.
‘We were, but nothing was suitable, so it makes sense to live together here. For the time being, anyway.’
‘No swimming pool, though,’ Ally pointed out.
‘Funnily enough, I’m not as bothered about having a pool as I used to be. Anyway, I’d like to propose a toast,’ he said, raising his glass of claret. ’To Lisa, for bringing us all together.’
Lisa smiled. ‘It should be to Greg, really. If he hadn’t wanted his share of this house, we wouldn’t all be here now.’
Nick didn’t look too impressed with that suggestion.
Pete must have noticed. He glanced at Andy. ‘How about a toast to fresh starts?’