‘Guilt? You think that’s his motivation?’ Mary wiped some chocolate frosting off her dress and licked it from her finger. ‘You’re probably right. I’m dressed like a fairy godmother and all, but what do I actually know of matters of the heart?’
‘Clearly nothing. It took a thirty-foot plus high banner pulled by an aeroplane for you to get the hint. That’s a pretty grand gesture.’
‘True, and it’s not like a ball, at a manor, where you’re the guest of honour, in front of the whole village, is a grand gesture, is it?’
Ava put her hands over her ears. ‘I’m not listening. If everything’s sorted here, I have a festival to attend to. I am off to check out the face-painting, and you really need to find a dress that doesn’t have chocolate down the front!’
Chapter Forty-Three
After a soak in the bath, Ava looked in the mirror. The festival was over and she was both buzzing from the success and a little sad that after her weeks of planning and the two wonderful days, it was over. She was already determined to make it happen again the following year, maybe for longer and this time with a proper committee behind her to organise it. Everybody who had spoken to her congratulated her and thanked her for her efforts. None had mentioned the ball, not even Pauline, who Ava was amazed didn’t crack when she spoke to her for a full five minutes on her plans for a relaxing evening.Why the surprise? You’ve already learned the people of Dapplebury can keep a secret?She tried to push the negative thought away. Her mind had been whirring since arriving home.
Looking at the suntan she’d inadvertently got over the last two days, she hoped no visible tan lines would show in her dress — if she wore her dress. And if she actually went to the ball. Even as she was going through the motions of getting ready, she still hadn’t fully committed to the idea. Screwing up her nose, she looked at her freckles; they were back in abundance, and she quite liked them. They reminded her of her old self.
Walking into the bedroom, Ava looked at the dress hanging in front of her wardrobe. Mary had picked very well, and had selected accessories to match too. She hoped Mary had managed to salvage her own dress from the chocolate cake disaster or found another to fit. Ava wondered if she should have stayed longer in the charity shop to help her, especially as she’d gone to so much trouble on her behalf.
Ava flicked her eyes to her bedside clock. It was gone six. Mary had told her, guests would be arriving at the ball from seven. Sitting on the edge of her bed — no longer adorned in an animal print duvet cover since taking Henry’s lead andmodernising her room — she stroked Myrtle. The dog was dozing with Blossom snuggled up, curled into her front paws. Myrtle lifted her heavy eyelids, and Ava smiled.
‘So, Myrtle, shall I go or shall I stay? You, me and Blossom, a quiet night in celebrating the end of the festival. How does that sound?’
Myrtle sat up and barked. Blossom rolled across the bed and Ava wondered if it was a sign but as the doorbell rang, she realised the cause of the sudden reaction. Swapping her towel for a robe, she walked down the stairs. Sure that Mary and Gino had come for her to make sure she didn’t back out, she opened the door.
‘Bog off, you two. Oh, bugger me!’
‘Is that an automatic reaction each time a door opens near you?’
‘Lady Bramlington! You’re here! Shouldn’t you be there? At the ball, I mean. Shouldn’t you be at the ball?’
‘Shouldn’t you?’
Looking feistier than the last time Ava had seen her, Lady Bramlington cocked an eyebrow and gestured as if to ask if she was going to be invited in. Ava stood speechless, trying to imagine this woman, dressed in a sleek black gown with what looked like diamond accessories, in her living room. She had altered the place, to make it feel more like her own home, but still, it remained rustic.
As if reading her mind, Lady Bramlington looked at Ava apologetically. ‘I’ve been here before and I won’t keep you long. But I do need to speak to you.’
Ava nodded and glanced at Myrtle and Blossom who were scampering around behind the door, eager to see who the highly perfumed visitor was.
‘I’ll put the dogs in the kitchen.’ With that, Ava shut the door and ushered the dogs through the hall.You’ve just shut thedoor on Lady Bramlington.Ava blushed at the thought, despite the fact her teenage self was celebrating inside. Glancing around the living room, she adjusted a couple of cushions and moved the dog blanket from the sofa. Realising she was in a robe, she ran upstairs and slipped on some underwear, jeans and an All Critters Great and Small sweatshirt. Running back downstairs, she stood for a beat behind the door before reopening it.
‘Please, come in.’
Lady Bramlington stepped inside.
Remembering she said she had been before, Ava gestured for her to go through to the lounge. As they both sat, Ava wondered if she should offer her a drink but hoped she wouldn’t be stopping that long.
Perched on the edge of the sofa, Lady Bramlington’s eyes flicked around the room. Ava wondered what memories she had of being inside the cottage. Deciding she might not want to know, she held the question back.
‘So, did Henry send you?’
‘No! Definitely not. He doesn’t know I am here. I slipped out and can’t stay long.’
Phew!Ava tried to hide the relief she felt at this being a brief visit, before wondering what Lady Bramlington had to say that she couldn’t tell Henry.She’s going to warn you off. Tell you to stay away.With that thought, Ava knew she couldn’t; she wouldn’t agree. The idea of not seeing Henry now that he’d returned to her life was too much.
‘I won’t not see him.’
‘I wouldn’t try to stop you.’
‘Oh. Then why are you here?’
‘Because I know how it feels to love someone and not be with them. I know the hurt. And I don’t want what I told you to stop you from following your heart.’
