‘Who?’ Gino, Ava and Mary responded in unison.
‘Him. The son and heir. Think about the timing.’ Pauline looked expectantly at the speechless trio, before continuing, ‘It’s obvious, he’s only back for one thing.’
Ava felt her throat tighten as she pictured Ted’s ashen face and Henry sprinting towards the trees.To say goodbye to his father? To make amends for the past.
‘The funeral?’ Gino asked.
Pauline tutted and shook her head. ‘Not the funeral, well yes the funeral, but the title, Dapplebury House, the estate . . .’
‘That’s three things,’ Mary offered.
Pauline rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, all of that, but when you think about it, it all comes down to one thing . . .’
The three friends looked at Pauline, while she moved in, looking around conspiratorially.
‘The money!’ She hissed. ‘You mark my words. He’ll be raking us all for what he can get before he jets off back to America and—’
‘Back to America? Who said he’s going back to America?’ As all eyes turned to her questioningly, Ava sat up, uncrossing her legs as she adjusted her position on the barstool. Swallowing past the tension in her throat, and readying herself to justify her outburst, Ava hoped her voice would come out less trill as she began. ‘I mean, he might not. He might stay. We can’t just assume he’ll go. He could be back to—’
‘Not if past actions are anything to go by, and not what I’ve heard,’ Pauline stated matter-of-factly, before heading off to serve a customer at the other end of the bar.
Ava’s stomach twisted as she was hit by the implications of the barmaid’s words, and the knowledge that people didn’t call Pauline “The Oracle” without good reason; her intel was generally spot on and her predictions usually right. Ava didn’t know which filled her with more dread, being raked for moneyshe and All Critters Great and Small couldn’t afford, the notion that Henry might be capable of that, or the fact he might return to America. Realising that her paper straw had become as dampened as her spirits, she removed it from her glass and drank down the last of her Coke.
Mary looked between Ava and Gino. ‘Well, if what Pauline says is true then we’ve a bloody miserable time ahead and so no time to lose. If we want to turn this village around, I vote we get on with our plans. Worst-case scenario: we’d have tried, and it’ll be us three dressed as gondoliers eating pizza and—’
‘That’s not what Italian—’
Mary held up her hand, shutting down Gino’s interruption, before blustering on, ‘As I said, worst-case scenario: us three dressed as gondoliers, eating pizza, together on Valentine’s night.’
‘Mary’s right,’ Gino affirmed. ‘We’ve got nothing to lose.’
‘And best-case scenario — the night will be a success, you’ll both make a bit of money, I’ll get a date, and we’d have started to lift the spirits, and revenue, of the village before Pauline’s voice of doom predictions come true!’
Being won over by her friends’ enthusiasm, Ava held up her hands in surrender. ‘OK, I’m with you. Let’s do it. Whatever the fate of the village’ —whatever Henry’s plan —‘we need to stay focused and kick some life back into this village. We need to put money in our tills and show what we’re made of. Let’s show the new Lord Bramlington what he’d be missing if he returned to America.’ Having spoken the words with conviction, Ava didn’t question her motives.
‘Yes!’ Gino punched the air. The sparkle in his dark eyes showing how happy he was to have Ava and Mary on board, as much as his infectious smile. ‘We’ll need to move fast. Put up posters—’
‘Get Pauline on board, she’ll get word round in no time,’ Mary suggested.
‘I’m on it,’ Pauline called from midway down the bar.
‘How does she do that?’ Mary whispered.
‘It’s a gift.’ Pauline winked, causing all three to giggle as if having been caught doing something they shouldn’t.
Gino lifted Ava’s glass, gesturing to see if she wanted another drink as he spoke. ‘I’ve already sorted the menu, and Chef’s on board with it. If you can give out a voucher when people buy an outfit from you, I’ll honour it with a free dessert.’
‘That’s great, thank you. If you’re sure. With Valentine’s just a week away, I’ll have to see what I’ve got at the shop.’ Ava took her replenished glass.
‘Stripy tops?’ Mary suggested.
‘You’re so not funny!’ Gino folded his arms, shaking his head.
‘I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You’re so easy to tease.’ Mary smiled.
‘I’ll do a range. Bold statement jewellery and patterned pieces as well as more demure outfits, for those wanting to go more minimal chic.’
Mary and Gino looked at Ava, eyes wide.
