‘I just wanted to show Fallon the gallery,’ said Alexander dismissively. ‘You get a good view, you should take Jacqueline up, Dad. Right, I’m going to go and check on Theo.’
He marched off before anyone could say anything else. Encouraged by his coolness, I straightened my shoulders.
‘And I’m going to see where Coco is. Fantastic party, Douglas.’
For the first time in my life, I left my mother without the last word as I made as dignified an exit as I could on a slightly sore ankle and wearing a dress damp with spilled champagne.
I found Coco with Constance, sitting near the dance floor deep in conversation. I was shy about interrupting them, but seeing as they were the only familiar people at the party, I didn’t feel I had much choice. I needn’t have worried, as they both greeted me warmly.
‘We’ve been talking about Aunt Constance’s book,’ said Coco. ‘It sounds fascinating.’
‘It is,’ said Constance, ‘but it is also not the best topic of conversation for a party, especially when I want to dance. Come on, you two!’
She stood up and strode onto the dance floor as the band struck up ‘Diamonds are Forever’, and Coco and I followed, giggling as we hammed up some foxy moves. That set the tone for the rest of the party, and the three of us danced cheesily, singing along to all the bits we knew, until the band announcedit was time for their last song, ironically ‘We Have All the Time in the World’. There were still plenty of guests chatting and drinking, but I was done for the evening.
‘Time to get these shoes off. Thank you both for the dancing.’
‘I won’t be far behind you,’ said Constance. ‘I’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow, and Theo is bound to want me to trek off and see that donkey.’
‘Sleep tight!’ said Coco. ‘I’ll have breakfast ready by nine, so see you then.’
I hugged them both and slipped off up the stairs, managing to avoid Mum, who would doubtless want either to interrogate me about Alexander or take a ‘survivors’ end of evening selfie with me for her Instagram account, neither of which I could face.
Back in my room, I took off my shoes and put on slippers with glorious relief, then woke up a very sleepy Runcible.
‘Sorry, sweetheart, but you must go out one last time.’
Now seemed like a good moment to try the back stairs by the kitchen and I was soon shivering at the door, wishing I’d put something on over my dress. Thankfully, my dog was as chilly as I was and didn’t hang about, and soon we were back upstairs and tucked up, falling asleep quickly despite my mind being a whirl of music, gambling chips and the feeling of strong arms around me.
TEN
I woke the next morning with sore feet but a reasonably clear head. Remembering that Coco had said breakfast would be at nine, I hopped into the shower and dressed quickly, so that I would have time to take Runcible for a walk first. I had the measure, now, of the Yorkshire weather, and put on my warmest clothes, but even then, I knew they wouldn’t be good enough, and I was proved right when I pulled open the big front door.
‘Brass monkeys out there, isn’t it?’ came a hearty voice behind me, and I turned to see Constance, in markedly more sensible clothing than mine.
‘It’s freezing,’ I replied. ‘Do you think it will snow soon?’
‘Bound to, then this little mite will sink up to her armpits.’ She bent down and stroked Runcible, who was wearing a smart red fleece jumper. ‘Lovely little dog. Can I join you for your walk or were you hoping for some peace? I won’t be offended if you are, I’ll just go the other way. I like some morning air.’
The truth was, Ihadbeen looking forward to it just being Runcible and me, but now that Constance had appeared, I was glad of her company.
‘Not at all, please do, although I wasn’t planning on being out for long. I think I need to go shopping for some warmer clothes.’We stepped out into the misty, frozen morning and crunched across the gravel, our breath puffing out in clouds. ‘I was going to walk down to the village, but only because it’s the only place I know at the moment. Is there somewhere else we can go?’
‘Yes, yes, let’s cross here, then over that stile and you can see a good bit of moorland. Stretches for miles, but we don’t have to do all that today. I don’t go down to the village much. Nice enough people, but they will try to rope me in to ‘village activities’ just because I’m widowed. Not all single women like doing flowers for the church and baking, as I’m sure you know.’
She looked at me sharply and I grinned.
‘The singles scene in London is different, but I do get annoyed with people always expecting me to be looking for a husband. I guess old-fashioned outlooks die hard. Anyway, I’m happy with my business and my friends.’
‘Good for you. It’s different strokes. Mind you, if you find the right person and they do, too, then marriage isn’t so bad. Felix and I were happy, and I liked having my son, but I can’t say I was sorry when he grew past the baby stage and got a bit more interesting.’
‘I’m sorry about Felix. How old is your son now?’
‘He’s twenty-five – I was well into my forties when I had him – and living in Japan. He’s an engineer – still out there. I’ll probably go and visit him next year. Having children isn’t the be all and end all of life, but do be sure either way.’
‘I am,’ I said firmly. ‘It’s not for me, I’d be a hopeless mother.’
‘I sincerely doubt that,’ replied Constance, ‘but you know best. That dog is beginning to look woeful – shall we head back?’
