EIGHTEEN
Ava went from strength to strength. She responded marvellously to the care and attention lavished on her and three weeks later, she started trying to climb out of her box. Soon she was staggering around the library, making everyone who saw her laugh with delight.
‘What sort of a dog do you think she is?’ Martha asked Juliet one day, as they played with her.
‘I don’t know. She’s such a mix, isn’t she? There must be some spaniel in there, given those silky, floppy ears, but her body is more like a terrier’s, isn’t it? I’m not sure she’d win any doggy beauty contests, but I think she’s lovely.’
Juliet picked the little dog up and cuddled her, and Ava nuzzled into her neck.
‘You’ve really bonded with her,’ said Martha, smiling. ‘And with Léo. It’s great seeing you so happy. How’s the cookery book coming along?’
‘Really well. Léo has such creative ideas and is doing loads of research – I think people will want to buy it. And it’s been good for Sylvia too. It’s something a bit easier that she can work on when she’s tired.’
‘Do you think she’s all right?’ Tears sprang to Martha’s eyes. ‘I’ve noticed how pale she looks, and she keeps disappearing to Oxford. I’ve wondered if she’s seeing a doctor, but I’ve tried to bring it up with her and she definitely doesn’t want to talk about it.’
‘I know, me too. I think that all we can do at the moment is quietly look after her and hope for the best.’ She handed Ava to her sister for a cuddle. ‘And what about you, Martha?’
‘What about me?’
‘Are you all right? You spend all your time working or pottering about Feywood. I just wondered if you – oh, I don’t know.’
‘Have much of a life? I’m all right.’
‘You should ask Will out for a drink.’
Martha jumped as if her sister had slapped her.
‘What! No, no, I don’t, I mean, I couldn’t possibly. I don’t want to, that is. Look, Jools, I’m fine, I’m busy organising this memorial for Mum. Have you decided yet if you’re going to do anything for it?’
Juliet set her mouth in a stubborn line.
‘Not yet. I know you think I’m mean, but I just can’t see what Iwoulddo. Mum had no time for me and certainly not for my art. What part of her memory am I supposed to honour?’
‘I know you didn’t get on with her, and I know she was unkind. I’m not saying you have to do something – of course you don’t. But maybe if you give it some thought, you will find something that you are grateful to her for, or that holds a happy memory, and that might be a better thing for you to focus on, rather than the, well, the er…’
‘The bitterness?’
Martha nodded miserably.
‘Sorry, Jools, but that is what it is.’
‘Yes, it is. I am bitter towards that woman.’ She sighed. ‘But maybe you’re right. Léo would probably witter on about looking to the future and not dwelling on the past, so I suppose I could try something along those lines.’
‘Well, see how you go. But you will come? I think it’s going to end up being quite a big event.’
‘Yes, of course I’ll come. And I’ll help if you need it.’
Martha smiled.
‘Thank you. I’ve been trying to rope Frankie in, but she’s hardly ever here at the moment.’
‘There’s a new man on the scene, isn’t there? It’s obvious from all the texts and secret smiles.’
‘I think there must be, but I don’t understand why she’s being so clandestine about it. Usually, we have to meet them over breakfast about five minutes after they got together, and then just when you’ve learnt their name, you find a new one there.’
‘That’s a bit bitchy for you, Martha, even if it is true. You definitely need to ask Will out – or find someone else to fancy.’ Seeing her sister reddening, Juliet moved on swiftly. ‘There must be something about him she doesn’t want us to know – I just hope he’s not married.’
‘Oh, you don’t think so, do you…’
