‘None of that would have been worth anything without you,’ I said. ‘I think you could start thinking bigger – maybe in the New Year.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘We could get your gin stocked in local shops, even supermarkets – quite easily, I would have thought. Then we can take it from there.’
Sam nodded.
‘I agree. You’ll be able to sell whatever you can make. It’s sensational stuff.’
Alexander shook his head in disbelief.
‘And to think this was going to be nothing more than a fun side-line. Come on, let’s get home and then we’ll finally be able to raise a glass ourselves.’
We secured everything, agreeing to deal with what was left of the washing up in the morning, then Sam returned to Constance’s car, which was still here, and Alexander and I climbed back into the front of the Citroën, wending our way sedately back to Blakeney Hall to toast our successful day and then begin to prepare for Christmas, and whatever else the future may hold.
EPILOGUE
A YEAR LATER
The extravagant Christmas decorations bejewelling the York streets made the perfect backdrop to the wedding, as Mum and I once again travelled together in a smart car, sipping champagne. But this time, a year later, how different it was. This time, instead of feeling exhausted and defensive, waiting for the criticism I had come to expect from Mum, I was relaxed and happy and more than able to call her out if she slipped too much into old habits. My next task was to have her keep her opinions entirely to herself, on at least one of the following subjects: my hair, my nails, my make-up, my clothes, my shoes, my food choices…Ah well, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and at least she approved of my boyfriend.
We had spent the morning getting ready in her suite at the Grand Hotel in York, with a vast flock of people around us. There was someone for everything: her hairdresser, Linda, three make-up artists, the outfit designer and her seamstress and two photographers and a journalist fromHello!magazine as well as Mum’s PA and a representative fromMayfair Mewsto make sure everything was in corporate colours, so to speak. But Mum had insisted that it should only be her and me in the car, so wegave our last smile to the camera out of the window, then sat back with relief.
‘I wonder how Douglas and Alexander are getting on?’ I said, smoothing my elegant cranberry silk dress over my knees.
‘They’re probably only just getting dressed,’ said Mum, a smile rubbing off the edge in her voice. ‘Those Knight men are ridiculously laid-back.’
‘And very good for both of us,’ I added. ‘Who’s with them? Not the army we had, I bet.’
‘Not a bit of it,’ she replied. ‘They conceded to one photographer, but otherwise it’s Alexander’s PA Hetty making sure they look presentable. Mind you, Theo knows what’s what, so he won’t let anything go wrong; smart boy, that.’
I smiled. Thanks to Theo, Blakeney Hall was now not only home to Heathcliff the donkey but also a kitten that had been found sopping wet and lost on the riverbank, and named Moses, as well as – temporarily, Alexander assured me unconvincingly – an owl that needed regular attention and was spooked by the comings and goings at the sanctuary.
‘Home is much more peaceful for her,’ insisted Theo. ‘She’lldefinitelygo when she’s better.’
Privately I thought she’d still be firmly in residence long after I moved in just before Christmas; that was an owl who knew a good thing when she saw it, and I related to her completely.
‘Do you feel nervous?’ I asked, slightly doubtful that Jacqueline Honeywood ever felt nervous about anything.
She turned from the window to look at me.
‘I do and I don’t. I think I’m more excited than nervous, and I can hardly believe that at my age – still undisclosed to anyone but you and the vicar, darling – I’m getting married.’
‘I think most people are surprised it’s wedding number one,’ I said, grinning cheekily. ‘They always expect you to have donethe full Liz Taylor and for Douglas to be at least your eighth husband.’
‘It’s not for want of offers, as they well know,’ she replied tartly. ‘But I am extremely discerning.’
‘I know, and Douglas was worth waiting for.’
‘Exactly. And darling…’
She hesitated, unusually for her.
‘What is it, Mum?’
Her words came out in a rush.
‘I just wanted you to know that, however much I love Douglas, you will always,alwaysbe the most important person in my life. And you always have been. It was fun this morning, with all the fuss, but I so wanted it to be just the two of us in the car. There’s something I want to ask you, and something I want to give you.’
