‘She is the only one who can shed light on that picture, and I have to know what happened.’
‘Yes, you do, and you know I’ve got complete faith in you.’
Ava smiled, her head and heart filled with determination, while a small voice inside reminded her that Mary didn’t have quite so much faith in her earlier.
‘And when that’s all sorted, and you’ve got your man and Lady Bramlington on side, we’ll have to make a start on that festival you’ve promised the village. I don’t know what you were thinking with that!’
Ava’s eyes went wide.Oh no, it’s true!She wondered if she should ask if it was also true that she had volunteered to do a skydive, but decided she was happier remaining in blissful ignorance about that.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Inspired, no doubt, by guilt for her outburst, Mary had reported for puppy watching duties early. Ava was surprised that she also brought Bill, the vet, along, to check Myrtle and the puppies over, saying he owed her a favour. Ava didn’t like to ask what Mary had done to garner the favour. But she welcomed the reassurance that the new mum and her litter were doing well and the news that Myrtle could be spayed in the not-too-distant future. The ups and downs of watching her precious dog bring new life into the world had been an amazing but also intense experience.
Having spent the night on a makeshift bed next to the refreshed whelping box, Ava welcomed the opportunity for a break. While she longed for an early morning walk, Mary insisted she got a lift from the vet as far as Dapplebury House. Her ankle, while still bruised, was feeling much better, but she knew she should continue to take it easy.
Once she had thanked the vet and waved goodbye, Ava took in the fresh air; it was good to be outside, albeit that the formal aspect of the garden she found herself in was in contrast to the parts of the grounds she usually lurked in. The neatly mowed lawn was lush, while yellow and purple flowers danced amidst the longer grasses beyond. She could hear birds singing in the distance. But the repeated phrases of the song thrush, competing against the more shrill notes of a greenfinch did little to settle her nerves.
Ava couldn’t help but think, if only her ankle would have allowed her to walk through the woods, she could have convinced herself it was a typical day, and she wasn’t about to confess her love for Henry or confront Lady Bramlington about the photograph. Her stomach would feel less of a tangle of knots. Clenching her jaw a little too tightly, she made her way to thesweeping drive that led to the house. This felt very different from her regular clandestine visits, where she felt shrouded by the cover of the trees.
Walking along the driveway, she felt exposed as Dapplebury House loomed large against the backdrop of the bright blue spring sky. An aeroplane streaked a contrail overhead that seemed out of place when she felt as if she were entering the set of Downton Abbey. Deep red and pink hues of rhododendrons and camellias contrasted against the pale stone of the eighteenth-century building. Seeing the opulence of it all, Ava felt ridiculous for coming to tell Henry she loved him. He was the newly crowned Eighteenth Baron Bramlington, and quite literally lord of all that she surveyed, while she worked all hours in a charity shop, trying desperately to keep her mum’s dream alive. Why had she ever felt their plights were similar?
Doubt crept into her every step as the gravel crunched beneath her feet. Perhaps if Lady Bramlington heard her coming she would have her escorted off the property before she could make a fool of herself. There was a cool breeze blowing against her face that played with the strands of hair that escaped her ponytail. Ava had decided to wear black trousers and a jumper, replacing her usual trainers with sensible shoes, but now she wondered if she should have dressed up more. Maybe she should come back another day, wearing something more appropriate. And after she had given it all more thought.
Her steps slowed the nearer she got to Dapplebury House until she stood motionless, divided between turning around, or continuing on the path that was leading her forward.Go home. Don’t be a fool. Go home and tell Mary . . . what?Ava thought about the various answers to that question. What would she say? She’d tried, but she didn’t have enough Flynn spirit to see her through, after all? She had spoken to Henry, but he didn’t feel the same way? Lady Bramlington was right to throw her off theland all of those years ago, as she wasn’t worthy of being there after all?
Every scenario made her more determined to see her mission through, not because she was sadistic, but because she knew, if she didn’t do this now, they would be the thoughts that filled her mind. She would think them if they came to fruition or not. And so she had nothing to lose.Except for your dignity and maybe Henry’s friendship if you make a complete arse of yourself!Realising she might have already lost his friendship if he had heard Mary’s words of the previous evening she walked forward, her pace quickening. If she achieved nothing else with this visit, she knew she must put that right. Once she reached the door, there’d be no turning back.
As she ascended the worn stone steps to the wooden door that she imagined to be around eight feet tall, she took the picture of her mum and Lady Bramlington from her pocket. ‘I hope you understand, Mum. I have to know what happened, and I have to follow my heart. I blame my tenacity on you, so . . . here goes.’ As she lifted her hand, Granger barked from behind her, causing her to jump. Relief flooded through her at seeing the dog, and she beckoned him over.
‘Did Henry tell you you’re a daddy? Three girls and two boys. Five beautiful Springadors. I know!’ Ava laughed. ‘I didn’t know that was a thing either, until now.’ Ava rubbed behind Granger’s ears before the realisation dawned that he was a stud dog. ‘Oh, but this isn’t new for you. I forgot.’ Ava shook her head, wondering if it was weird she felt a little deflated at the thought.
‘Ah, but Myrtle was — is — special.’
Henry’s voice took Ava by surprise. She stood and put the photograph back in her pocket. Her heart was racing as she tried not to think about the words she wanted to say to him.
‘Do you think?’ she managed as she steadied her breathing.
Henry looked fresh from a run, his hair ruffled and his eyes and cheeks glowing. The hint of a grin played at the corner of his mouth. ‘Well, she’s the only one he’s ever actually courted. I’d say that’s special, wouldn’t you?’
‘I guess it is.’ Ava thought about the many times Granger had joined them for their morning walks and the fun the dogs had shared playing together.
‘How are Myrtle and the puppies?’
‘They’re all good. Thank you.’ Ava wanted to say that Mary brought the vet to see them, but wasn’t sure mention of her friend would be welcome. Instead, she smiled, and as she caught Henry’s eye, the two of them shared a moment that sent her back to the previous evening. But it was all too brief, as Henry looked away, breaking eye contact.
‘So what brings you here?’ The hint of a smile was gone.
‘I need to speak to you . . . and . . . Lady Bramlington.’
Henry couldn’t hide his surprise.
‘I have something personal to ask her. God, that makes it sound like I’m going to ask for her blessing to marry you.’ Ava felt her cheeks blaze as the words left her mouth. ‘Not that I’m going to, I mean, we’re not . . . Wait, do people do that in . . . posh world?’Stop talking. Stop talking, now!Ava felt sweat prick at her skin as her mind scrambled at how to get this conversation back onto safer ground.
‘What are you saying?’ Henry looked at her, his expression puzzled amusement.
‘I’m sorry. Ignore me.’Please, please ignore me!She wished the ground would swallow her up, or perhaps one of the camellia bushes; with her cheeks blazing red she was sure to be able to disappear amongst the foliage. ‘I’m nervous. All I wanted to say was it’s personal, that’s all. Sorry for . . . whatever that was.’ Ava felt the picture in her pocket.
‘OK. Is it anything to do with the estate or my father? Something I can help you with?’
