‘Oh, Lavinia! Thank you. How did you think of that? And you sounded so genuinely sorry.’
‘Well, of course.’ She smiled beatifically. ‘Finishing school isn’t just balancing books on your head, you know.’
‘I don’t know, but I’m very grateful. Come on, let’s go and eat this before anyone else can interrupt us.’
The party wore on and, for the most part, I enjoyed it. There were plenty of interesting people to chat to, and I managed to avoid any further encounters with Timothy, who – now that he had changed out of the fishy sweater – was being challenged for Zara’s attention – successfully by the looks of things – by Xander, who was looking extremely smooth and handsome in a tuxedo. I didn’t get a chance to speak to Bunny again until Ben took the children up to bed and she came over and hustled me into a corner, her eyes shining.
‘Oh, Pixie, I’m so happy, everything is going to be all right. Poor darling Ben, he wasn’t planning to leave me for asecond. How could I ever have thought he would? He was just dreadfully worried about a thing at work – it seemed for a moment as if we would all have to live in a garden shed or something. But it came good, it’s all worked out. Oh,Pixie! It’s all right, I’m so happy.’
‘And I’m so very happy for you.’
‘Thank you a million times over for all your love and support. Youwillstay in our lives, won’t you?’
‘Of course I will.’
We hugged and then she pulled back and looked at me seriously.
‘Oh, Pixie,pleasedon’t go rushing off to India. I know I’m being frightfully selfish, but I don’t want to lose you from our lives. And Lando…’
‘Lando?’
‘Darling, Lando adores you, I know he does. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s just scared. He doesn’t want to be pushy, and he doesn’t want to make himself vulnerable. But you’re so ridiculously perfect for each other. Please don’t let it slip away.’
‘What about Zara?’
‘Oh, her. She’ll be out on her ear the minute the mince pies are finished, you mark my words. And by the looks of things, she may well be leaving with my brother.’
We glanced over to where Zara and Xander were now standing together, Timothy having drifted off. They seemed very intimate.
‘He can certainly give her a run for her money,’ said Bunny. ‘I’m not sure either knows what they’d be getting themselves into, but at least it gets them out of our hair.’
‘Won’t Lando mind? It’s a bit close to home.’
‘This is what I’ve beensaying, Pixie. He’ll be bloody relieved. Please say you’ll speak to him.’
I felt a little dizzy from the champagne, and Bunny’s conviction was also intoxicating.
‘I promise you I will think about it, no more than that.’
‘Then I suppose that will have to do, but I’m keeping everything crossed. Now if you are going to be all right, I think I’ll go upstairs. Ben should have the children tucked up now, ready for kissing, and I’m ready for some kissing myself.’
She floated away and I felt so glad for her as well as feeling a flicker of hope for myself.
TWENTY-ONE
The party was reaching its end now and most people had left. I collected up some glasses and took them through to the kitchen, then went to check the dining room. Although people weren’t really meant to be in there, it was inevitable that some would have gone in, and would probably have left drinks behind. The lights were on low, and a figure was sitting at the end of the table, lifting a bottle to pour himself another glass of red wine.
‘Timothy?’
‘Penny. I knew you’d find me, knew it. Knew that you would be drawn to me. Well done, old girl, come and sit down and have a drink.’
He pulled out the chair next to him and patted it clumsily. I sighed. All I wanted to do now was go and find Lando, who had sloped off about an hour ago, but I had managed to avoid Timothy all afternoon, and I supposed that I should give him an answer to his proposal. I sat down but declined the bottle he waved in my direction.
‘D’you prefer a glass? Here, have mine, I don’t mind the bottle. I haven’t been affected by living in this house, got all la-di-da like you have.’
‘No, thank you, I don’t want another drink. And I haven’t got ‘la-di-da’ as you put it, not at all.’
‘Well, you’ve certainly changed.’ He sounded petulant.
