He shrugged.
‘I know. Would you like a drink?’
Grateful that the subject seemed to be closed, I asked for a white wine spritzer, which wasn’t very seasonal but was just what I needed after the events of the past few hours. While I waited for him, I watched Theo as he knelt by the fireplace, Runcible on his lap, both looking blissfully content. I sensed someone approach and turned, ready to take my drink from Alexander, but it wasn’t him.
‘Hello,’ said a cool voice. ‘We haven’t met properly. I’m Annabel.’
She held out a slim hand, which I shook with my sweaty, grimy one. I was amazed she didn’t wipe her hand afterwards, but she was far too well-bred to do something like that. But even she couldn’t stop her perfect nose wrinkling at the odour that was wafting up from my shoe now that it was warming up. She glanced down, but I kept staring resolutely ahead, hoping to brazen that one out.
‘Hello,’ I replied. ‘Yes, I remember you from the James Bond party. I’m Fallon. My mother is marrying Douglas.’
‘Yes, I know. Are you enjoying your stay at Blakeney Hall?’
‘Yes, everyone is so welcoming. I had to pop down to London yesterday and I did miss them.’
‘I’m sure. It seems they missed you too. Theo was most distressed when he thought you wouldn’t make it back for the Nativity.’
I nearly asked her what business it was of hers but bit it back. She was already looking down her elegant nose at me, and I didn’t want to give her any more ammunition.
‘Yes,’ I agreed instead. ‘He’s a sensitive boy and we get on well.’
‘Nottoowell, I hope. He is clearly looking for a mother figure and it wouldn’t do well for him to find one, only for her to disappear back off to the other end of the country once Christmas is over.’
I suppose someone who lives nearby – someone like you, perhaps? – would be a better idea?
Again, I took a breath.
‘I couldn’t comment on that. All I can say is that Alexander seems to be doing a wonderful job on his own, and there doesn’t seem to be a mother-shaped hole in their lives at all.’
Annabel laughed.
‘Oh, ofcoursethere is! What they need?—’
‘Actually, Fallon’s right. Theo and I are just fine as we are.’
Alexander had appeared behind us, without either of us noticing. He handed me my drink and I took a sip, looking at Annabel over the rim of the glass.Wriggle out of this one, Annabel, I thought.
She smiled beatifically.
‘But of course. You’re both marvellous. Do give some thought to that dinner I mentioned, won’t you, Alexander?’
He nodded curtly and she glided away.
‘I’d better go and find Dad,’ said Alexander. ‘See you later.’
And he was also gone, leaving me standing alone with a glass of wine I no longer wanted. I went over to the fireplace and put my glass on the mantelpiece, then crouched down.
‘Theo, I think I’d better take Runcible back now, she’s looking very tired. You do too. Do you want to come with us?’
He shook his head.
‘It’s okay, I’ll find Dad. Thanks for coming back in time for the play.’
I hugged him.
‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’
I kept an eye on him until I was sure that he had found Alexander, then pulled my coat around me and headed out into the night, suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion and with the events of the past twenty-four hours pinging around my head. Despite my excuses, I knew that I could have been back safely in time. Instead, I had proven myself once more to be self-seeking, work-obsessed and narcissistic. Alexander and Theo clearly hadn’t been fooled. They were seeing the truth now: they were far better off without me.
