‘Sorry,’ Mary whispered, looking uncharacteristically apologetic.
Ava put her hands on her hips, hoping bravado would see her through whatever Henry had to say. She tried not to look into his imploring and very hard to resist eyes.
‘I’m hosting a charity shop ball, tonight, at Dapplebury House.’
Ava swallowed. They were right; it wasn’t what she thought, but still the revelation hurt. ‘And I’m not invited?’ She knew she sounded like a fool. Why should she be invited after all that had passed between her family and the Bramlingtons? But as she stood staring at Henry and Mary she couldn’t help but feel as dejected as Cinderella — the last to hear the news, invitation-less and, judging by the number of dresses sold in the previous weeks, the only person in Dapplebury not going to the ball.
Henry moved forward and, despite her sadness, Ava felt her body responding to his proximity.
‘Of course, you’re invited. You’re the guest of honour. All proceeds are going to All Critters Great and Small, andthe stipulation was that every dress must be a charity shop purchase. Mary has sorted your outfit.’
Henry gave Mary a pointed look, as if for confirmation.
‘Of course I have. It’s mine I forgot. Yours is hidden out the back. I hope you like it.’
‘Mary said you wouldn’t mind.’
Ava saw Henry’s eyes searching her face as he waited for her response. She glanced towards the back office, feeling a little light-headed. She was sure she would like anything Mary chose; she trusted her taste implicitly, but this was a lot to take in. ‘Of course.’
‘It was meant to be a way to thank you for all your hard work on the festival and to mark the new beginning. Having All Critters Great and Small based at Dapplebury House, it’s important we can all get on.’
All get on.In a single phrase, Henry turned the wonderful thought of a ball held in her honour into what sounded like a business transaction — something to ease the transition. Ava tried to balance her thoughts. The charity was bound to do well from it, and it was a kind gesture. She smiled. ‘Thank you. Both of you. You’ve obviously put a lot of planning into this. I promise to do my best to come along, especially as Mary’s gone to the trouble of sorting me a dress.’ Ava smiled at Mary who was staying unusually quiet.
‘It’s for you, Ava. It’s all for you. Please come.’ Henry pushed his hand through his hair.
‘Of course. There’s no need to meet you here now, I guess?’ Ava looked at Mary. She needed to get out of the confines of the shop to contemplate how she felt. ‘So at the end of the festival, I’ll take my dress home and meet you at Dapplebury House.’
Ava saw a look pass between Mary and Henry, but she couldn’t promise any more at the moment; it felt too much.
‘I’m still happy to take you. We can go together.’
‘Don’t be silly. You should go with Gino. I guess he’s in on this too. His interest in prom-style dresses suddenly makes sense.’
‘Yes but—’
‘Then you should definitely concentrate your efforts on him. He can’t go to the ball dressed as a cowboy, can he?’ Ava smiled.
Henry spoke, his voice unsure. ‘I’m happy to come and collect you. The only reason I—’
‘You will not. You’ll have more than enough to do at Dapplebury House. You should probably be there now, shouldn’t you?’
‘Mrs Jenkins and my—’
‘Then you should go and help them, really.’
Henry seemed hesitant, and again Ava noticed a look pass between him and Mary. ‘OK, I’ll go. But Ava, please, don’t—’
‘I’ll be there.’ She attempted to smile, but she could feel the tension in her lips. ‘Right now I have a festival to organise.’
Henry called Granger to his side, and the dog reluctantly left the paper towel he was shredding.
As the two of them left, Mary turned to Ava, eyes wide. ‘Ava Flynn if you don’t turn up tonight I will personally come and find you. And remember I have access to tranquilisers and a very particular set of tracking skills, skills I have acquired over a long career, skills that mean I will find you and I will drag you there if I have to.’
Ava giggled, releasing the tension she’d been holding inside. ‘All right Liam Neeson, don’t get your frock in a twist. I said I’d go.’
‘You bloody should go. It’s a very lovely thing he’s doing for you.’
‘For the charity, he’s helping the charity. After all we’ve discovered about our parents, and then the sale of the land fromunder Critters’ Lodge, it’s a very kind, probably guilt-motivated gesture. But I do appreciate it.’
