Half an hour later, we were all ready, wrapped up in colourful scarves and gloves with big plastic trugs to stash our finds in. We strode out towards the woodland – well, it would be more accurate to say that Bunny and I meandered, and the twins scampered. The sun and cold air on my face washed away any vestiges of hangover, and I felt a great wash of well-being come over me. The children proved quick learners and soon they were singing joyfully:
‘The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown.’
‘You’re wonderful for all of us,’ said Bunny, reaching up to cut down a particularly long tendril of ivy and curl it into the trug. ‘I haven’t felt so cheerful for a long time and the twins are simply flourishing. I’m even feeling a bit less sick.’
‘Any news from Ben?’
She shook her head.
‘He says he’s overwhelmed with work and can’t make it down. But hopefully he is coming for the scan – it’s booked for Thursday. Maybe once we see the baby on a screen, we’ll feel better about the whole thing.’
‘I’m sure that will help,’ I replied, not entirely sure if I was right, but not knowing what else to say. I moved on quickly. ‘Don’t you have to go back to London for the scan with your doctor there?’
‘Why would I do that?’ asked Bunny, looking confused.
‘Well, normally you’re just registered with a doctor near your home, and you have to do everything there, unless it’s an emergency. I’m just impressed that they let you do it here when you’re on holiday, that’s all.’
Bunny looked slightly abashed.
‘Oh, I see! Well, we areverylucky, Pixie darling, and our doctor is terribly helpful. He has a practice down here as well, as there are heaps of us buzzing between London and Dorset, so he does a couple of days a week here and the rest in Harley Street.’
The mists cleared. Of course, Bunny would have a private doctor, no pesky NHS regulations for her. And with all the wealthy families who spent some of their time in this part of the world, her doctor was presumably laughing all the way to the (Sand)banks.
‘Sounds perfect,’ I said, wondering for the millionth time if I’d made all the wrong choices in life.
‘It does help,’ agreed Bunny. ‘Anyway, let’s not talk about that now. Did you have fun with William last night? He’s a terrific father-in-law, I adore him.’
‘Yes, we had a lovely time, but I’m going to be careful around him from now on. Doesn’t he get hangovers?’
‘Iknow, it’s like some kind of superpower. Mind you, Lando had a very strong stomach at one point, although he drinks much less now.’
She paused.
‘I want to tell you, dear Pixie, because I do so feel that you are part of the family now and it seems dishonest, somehow, not to. About a year ago, Lando had a breakdown. He had been burning the candle at both ends, working and partying more than one man could handle. Very good at both, but not reallyhim, if you know what I mean, although everyone bought into it for a long time. Party boy Lando. He believed it, too, I think, and kept going – until he didn’t.’
‘Is that why he lives down here now?’
‘That’s right. He was in hospital for a while, then they tried to woo him back to the City. Breakdowns aren’t all that uncommon, you see, and people often go back to exactly what they were doing before.’
‘Until the next time?’
‘Yes. Some of them are in a toxic cycle of work, play, breakdowns, heart attacks and scandals which they can’t get away from. I worry about Xander, but maybe he can find a nice girl who will help him out of it.’
‘And Lando got himself out?’
‘He did. He was one of the lucky ones. He refused to go back – he’d already made pots of money and wasn’t greedy for more – rented out his London pad and moved permanently down here for some peace and quiet and to pursue his interest in wood sculpture. William is here now, too, so until we descend at various points during the year, the two of them potter around quite happily with Pilar looking after them.’
‘The house is absolutely beautiful.’
‘Stunning, isn’t it? He had a vastly ambitious girlfriend – Zara – who harboured ideas of shooting parties or something, I think, and rather liked the idea of being lady of the manor, so she pushed him into buying it and then masterminded the refurb. I can’t deny she did a good job, but I was very glad when he kept the house and ditched her.’
Questions raced through my head, but I didn’t want to be meddlesome. Well, Ididwant to be, but I didn’t want tolookthat way, was closer to the truth. Happily for me, Bunny was clearly in the mood for telling all, and didn’t need any prompting from me.
