‘Hello, are you going to the stables?’
‘Yes, do you want to come and see my horse? He’s called Firefly and he’s so beautiful. He…’
I could see that the horse chat could run on, so I politely cut her off.
‘He sounds glorious, and I’d like to see him at some point, but right now I was hoping that you might have a moment to show me where the pool is. I know I’ll be taking Marilise every day and I’d like to check it out first.’
India looked a little disappointed but smiled politely.
‘Of course, come with me.’ She led the way towards the kitchen, chattering all the time. ‘I think Firefly would be the perfect addition to the Christmas show this year at school, but the Head doesn’t agree. She says it would be a donkey or nothing and that there isn’t room for artistic interpretation of the Bible story. When I asked her why, then, it was okay for Camilla Tytherington-Smythe to have more lines than anyone else as an innkeeper when there wasn’t one of those in the Bible either, just because her father’s a governor, she told me that if I argued, I’d be demoted to third shepherd.’
She paused for breath, and I laughed.
‘I’m amazed you’re still doing a Nativity. I think I was about four in my last one.’
‘Oh, it’s not only the Nativity,’ said India darkly. ‘It’s a whole Christmas spectacular and the entire school – primaryand secondary – has to take part one way or another, whether they’re somepretendBible character, a cheery elf or a dancing snowflake. I was hoping to skulk at the back of the percussion section with a tambourine if I couldn’t ride Firefly, but the Head said I had to be a shepherd and look after all the little ones dressed up as sheep. I wouldn’t mind, but they’re so snotty at this time of year, I spend half my time wiping noses.’
‘Sounds delightful,’ I said, grinning. ‘I’m sure you’ll get your reward in heaven.’
‘Long time to wait,’ grumbled India. ‘At least, I hope it is, I suppose. I wonder what part they’ll give Sofia.’
‘She’s joining your school?’ I asked in surprise.
‘Yes. Victoria’s dumping her so fast to belt off to the Caribbean that there are still three weeks of school left. She sweet-talked the Head into taking her for the last bit, even though Mum said she wouldn’t mind having her here. I’ve met her a few times, she’s a nice kid, quiet. Maybe she won’t mind Camilla Tytherington-Smythe having all the best lines,’ she added bitterly.
For most of this conversation we had paused outside a door just past the kitchen, but now India opened it.
‘Anyway, this is the pool, come in.’
I don’t know what I had expected, but it wasn’t this and I gasped as I stepped through.
‘Impressive, isn’t it?’ said India. ‘Apparently, Nick and Mum had it built after his father died, a sort of revenge because he had thought there was nothing more vulgar than a swimming pool in a house and had always refused to install one, even though Nick was a promising swimmer when he was younger.’
‘This is some revenge,’ I said, gazing round at the sight before me. An extension had been added to the side of the house with the most incredible gabled glass roof that ran for nearly its entire length. Huge bifold doors opened out onto the garden,and it must have been glorious in summer, or heavy rain or, well, whenever! The pool itself was large and blue and the square floor tiles surrounding it were smooth, creamy porcelain. At one side stood a sort of circular pergola, containing a bubbling jacuzzi and on the other side there was a fountain, surrounded by shallow steps. There was also a seating area with luxurious chaises longues and a low table. It was like something out of a film and like no swimming pool I had ever visited. My most recent experiences hadn’t even been in municipal pools, which I disliked for the chill, the almost guaranteed verrucae and the reek of chlorine. I had, however, done some work using hospital hydrotherapy pools, which tended to be tiny, brightly lit and strictly utilitarian in design.
‘I bet you were dreading getting your swimsuit on every day when you heard about that part of the job,’ said India teasingly. ‘I would have been. Still feel the same?’
‘You’re right,’ I replied. ‘It wouldn’t normally be my first choice of activity on a winter’s morning, but this is going to be a treat.’
‘I’ve brought Marilise a couple of times myself,’ she went on. ‘Nick had those steps by the fountain installed so that she could get in easily. Come over this way.’ She led me around the side of the pool to two glass doors. ‘This is the sauna, which she doesn’t like, but this one’ – she tapped one of the doors – ‘is the steam room, which she adores.’
‘It will be good for her heart, too, in small doses,’ I said. ‘I’m beginning to think I should be paying the family to be here, rather than the other way around.’
We started to walk back around the pool.
‘Look, I’m sorry about the Cousin Itt thing,’ said India. ‘I was being silly. I’m glad you’re here, and I’m glad Sofia’s coming. It should cheer Christmas up a bit, even if…’
She stopped abruptly.
‘Even if what?’ I asked.
She stared at me, doubt in her eyes.
‘You can trust me,’ I said. ‘I won’t pass anything on, unless I think you’re in danger. I’m a nurse, I’m good at keeping confidences.’
She sighed.
‘Thank you,’ she said, looking at me again and then giving a small nod, as if she had decided to trust me. ‘I was going to say, even if Philip, Mum’s fiancé, turns up.’
