‘There was someone?’
I hacked into the innocent onion. ‘Yes, until quite recently. Timothy.’
‘He left you?’
I was taken aback by her directness but didn’t want to be rude. ‘Yes, that’s right. We had been together ten years.’
I could hear the edge of bitterness in my voice and hoped that Pilar had not.
‘You are angry with him.Yes. Did he go to another woman?’
‘No, I don’t think so. He just didn’t want to be with me anymore. If you don’t mind, Pilar, I’d rather not get into it.’
She shrugged.
‘Is okay. Don’t worry about it, Penélope. He wasn’t for you. You will be fine, you will find love.’
A tear, not onion-induced, dripped down my cheek.
‘No. I’m getting too old, my time is running out. I have to find something else to do with my life.’
‘Nonsense! You are still young enough. Well, only just, but don’t give up yet. In a year or two, maybe.’
Her honesty pulled me out of my self-pity, and I managed a smile. ‘We’ll see.’
‘Is true. You’re quite pretty, not too thin, you’re kind and helpful. Maybe you are also intelligent?’
I half nodded and half shrugged, hoping this appraisal was reaching an end.
‘You are also a girl with a very good soul, that I can tell.’
I brightened.
‘So, this is what matters. Your soul is ageless, not like your face. Yours is good and it will stay good. You’ll find someone.’ She calmly tipped my onions into the pot. ‘Todo a su tiempo, mi hija. All in good time.’
I would have reached out to hug her, so grateful was I for her calm wisdom, when a movement outside the window caught my eye.
‘What was that?’
‘I didn’t see anything…’
‘A man just ran past, but he was only half dressed, I’m sure of it.’
A crash outside in the hall sent us both dashing out, past the tired twins who were still posting beans in their mouths and captivated by their cartoon puppies, the clockwork toys forgotten. A man stood at the bottom of the stairs. At my best guess he was in his seventies, and he was gathering together a collection of umbrellas and sticks that had fallen from a large brass urn he must have knocked over. But the most striking thing about him was that he was only wearing a Father Christmas hat, a vest and a pair of boxer shorts, festooned with cheerful, red-nosed reindeer in a variety of gymnastic poses. He looked up guiltily as we skidded to a halt.
‘Señor Lord, whatareyou doing?’
A chill ran through me at the tone of Pilar’s voice, and I began to see what Bunny had meant.
‘Oh, good evening, ladies.’ He turned to me. ‘I don’t think we’ve met. I’m William – Lando’s father. Terribly sorry for my state ofdéshabillé, there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.’
I grinned.
‘I’m sure. I’m Penny, I’ve come to help Bunny out over the holidays.’
‘Delighted, delighted.’
He shook my hand firmly and smiled back. I could see how dashing he must have been as a younger man – well, he was still pretty dashing now actually, with his warm brown eyes and ready smile. It was easy to see where Lando had got his stunning looks.
