The day before the church dinner, Hyacinth spotted Liz in her front garden. "Elizabeth!" She called out to her neighbour.
"Hyacinth, how are you?" Liz asked as she made her way over to their shared wall.
"I thought tomorrow evening you and Mathew would like to travel to the church hall with us."
"That's very kind, Hyacinth thank you.."
The neighbour interrupted. "Not at all dear, that's what friends are for. There's no point in Mathew driving as well as Richard."
"Matty won't be driving Hyacinth because we've already arranged to go to Emmet's first and walk over with them. Emmet has also kindly offered for us to stay the night so we can both have a drink. After all, he only lives a short walk away."
Alarmed at the news, Hyacinth nervously fiddled with her pearls. "I see." She said bitterly.
Liz felt a pang of guilt. She didn't like to let her neighbour down but since her husband had come home she had been able to stand up to her a bit more.
"When you say you will walk over with them I'm assuming you mean..."
"Emmet and Rose, yes." Elizabeth smirked.
"Very well dear, I was only trying to be friendly." Hyacinth replied in a snide tone.
"And it is very much appreciated, Hyacinth. We just had made arrangements with my brother and his partner first. That's all."
Before responding, Hyacinth looked around to check no one was walking past before she lowered her voice. "Elizabeth? What's your view on Emmet and Rose? Do you approve?"
"Well I have to say I was unsure at first but I think they are well suited. I've never seen Emmet happier in his personal life and Rose seems to be devoted to him. To me that's all that matters. Emmet's been having an awful time at work lately and I honestly don't think he would have coped without Rose's support."
Hyacinth didn't know how to respond. While she wanted her sister to be happy, she still thought she was being cheated out of stardom. For sometime, she had dreamt of her and Emmet becoming s musical duet, with their names in lights.
After speaking with her neighbour, Hyacinth retreated inside. Slamming the front door behind her.
"Well really! You try and help people and this is what you get." Hyacinth muttered as she entered the living room. She crossed over to the window ledge and took out the duster from her house dress pocket. She then vigorously dusted everything in sight.
"Hyacinth what are you talking about?" Her bemused husband asked.
"Elizabeth and Mathew. Keep up Richard ."
"What about Liz and Matty?"
"Matty, what a name for a grown man." His wife muttered, disapprovingly.
"It's what he likes to be called. Anyway how have they upset you?"
"I offered for them to travel with us to the church hall tomorrow evening..."
"Makes sense," Richard replied not looking up from his book.
"That's what I thought Richard. I was then informed they had already made arrangements. They are going to Emmet's rented property first and are walking over with him and Rose. Then they are to stay overnight."
"Ah," while Richard could understand the practicalities in his neighbour's arrangements, he knew why it had upset his wife.
"Is this because you are still upset with Rose?"
"She shouldn't be going. She will be embarrassing us all when she throws herself at the vicar."
"Oh I don't think she will. She seems rather settled with Emmet."
"Really Richard! Let's not go into all this again." Hyacinth shouted.
"Just please be civil with them tomorrow that's all I ask."
"Of course I will Richard, for the poor vicar's sake, nothing else. Anyway you know me Richard, I'm not one to interfere."
Having enough of the conversation, Richard returned to his novel.
Rose stepped out of shower and wrapped the grey towel around her body. She then made her way back into the bedroom, where she found Emmet selecting a shirt.
"Are you sure you want me there tonight?"
"Yes of course."
"I'm not sure the vicar's wife will." She sighed.
Emmet laughed and kissed her gently. "Everyone knows about us, she won't see you as threat anymore. Besides, I want to show you off. That will really annoy Hyacinth," he smirked.
Rose playfully slapped his arm. "Don't go winding her up. I'm well aware she won't best pleased I'm going. I'm not sure I even have anything here suitable to wear."
"Go as you are," he joked, pulling her into him. Her skin was damp and glistening and quite frankly turning Emmet on. He kissed her passionately and she pulled him on to the bed.
A short while later Rose stepped out of the shower once more, this time Emmet had followed her.
"Is that the time?! Matty and Liz will be here soon." He cried as he put his watch back on.
Rose flung a white blouse and a black mini-skirt onto the bed. Emmet dried himself quickly and changed just as their guests arrived.
Once the foursome arrived at the church hall they found it laid out as one big table. Hyacinth and Richard were already sat down. Hyacinth greeted Liz and Matty enthusiastically. She greeted Emmet politely and she just nodded at her sister.
The actual dinner was comfortable. The vicar's wife made an excellent chicken and leek pie. Richard made the effort to get the conversation going and Hyacinth actually asked her sister how the family was.
Hyacinth's attentions were quickly turned towards Delia Wheelwright and her talk of having a new satellite dish installed.
"Of course anyone who's anyone these days knows satellite television is very rather common now." Hyacinth said loudly, so the other end of the table could hear.
Emmet smirked and turned to Rose. "That reminds me, are we okay to stay at yours tomorrow. There's that history documentary on Sky and Onslow very kindly said I could watch it with him."
Hyacinth's face fell and Emmet was loving every second.
She managed to stutter, "do, do, you often stay overnight at my sister's abode, Emmet?"
"Quite often, yes." Rose smiled politely.
"Yes, I have to say Hyacinth I do enjoy the company of your family. I don't know why you are always so keen to hide them away." Emmet added with a cheeky smirk.
Silence rang out for a while after that. Hyacinth was so appalled that if it wasn't for her good manners, she would have upped and left.
"Are you still being bothered by that woman, Rose?" Elizabeth asked over the sticky toffee pudding. Hoping to get conversation flowing again. Comments about the weather and the bring and buy sale hadn't been successful.
"What's this?" Richard enquired.
"Oh it's nothing," Rose replied, dismissing the question.
"It's not nothing." Protested her partner.
"Emmet's right." Elizabeth added and Matty nodded in agreement.
"Rose, I insist you inform me as to what you are referring to." Despite all the upset, Hyacinth cared deeply for Rose and the conversation had her worried.
Reluctantly, Rose explained about the mousy woman who kept popping up at work. How she sometimes saw the woman when she was out in town, at the pub and occasionally she had been seen on Rose's estate.
"You must report this to the police, Rose." Hyacinth said, concerned for her sister's safety.
"And say what? There's a woman who keeps coming into the bookies and looks at me funny. They won't do anything."
Strangely, the conversation broke the ice and brought everyone closer together. Hyacinth still wasn't to happy about Emmet courting Rose but she was prepared to let bygones be bygones for the time being at least.
Rose even cleared the air with the vicar's wife. She apologised for chasing her husband but admitted she still thought he was 'dishy' but reassured her she wasn't a threat.
"Well thank you Rose, I do appreciate that and I have to say I think you and Emmet make a lovely couple." Was her response, though she still didn't completely trust the blonde.