Thanks Johnny. It means a lot. See you later xx
He was expecting Margery and Helena for a roast at his house at around three that afternoon, their Sunday tradition.
Helena rapped on the door of Stable Cottages. Nathalie answered it, somehow managing to pull Helena in for a hug while simultaneously turning to yell at the kids. She instructed them to get downstairs and clear the kitchen table so they had somewhere to eat their lunch. Nathalie looked radiant in an electric blue jump suit with matching dangly earrings.
‘Going somewhere nice?’ Helena asked. ‘Hot date?’
‘Unfortunately not.’
‘But you look so glam!’
‘I felt in need of cheering up today. I’ve been trapped in one long bickering match between one child or another all morning. MEG, MAISY, TED!!! GET DOWN HERE AT ONCE. YOU HEARD ME!’ She hollered up the stairs. ‘LUNCH IS NEARLY READY.’
As Ted lolloped down the stairs, she reiterated her instructions. ‘Right Ted, the table needs to be cleared and laid in ten minutes. Helena and I are going out into the garden to talk, by the time I come back it needs to be done. Get your sisters to help you.’
He looked less than impressed. Nathalie ignored him and flounced through into the garden, stopping to grab a bottle of rosé out of the fridge and two glasses from the dresser. She sighed loudly as she flopped onto a deck chair, slugging rosé into the glasses and handing one to Helena.
‘No doubt you are in need of this,’ she said as she took a slug.
Helena did the same, sitting in the chair next to her and closing her eyes, enjoying the sun on her face. ‘You are too right,’ she sighed.
‘So, have you seen him? Spoken to him?’
‘I’ve just comefrom his new home.’
‘Oh god.’ Nathalie squinted at her, shielding her eyes with her hand. ‘How was it?’
‘Awful. Weird…’
‘I can imagine. What did he say?’
‘That he wants me back. That he’s changed.’
‘And? How do you feel about it?’
Helena shook her head. ‘Confused, if I’m honest. It’s everything I ever wanted to hear. But I know it would be crazy to just suddenly change my mind and fall into his arms.’
‘Thankgodfor that.’
Helena took another sip of her rosé, feeling her muscles begin to relax and realising how tense she had been. ‘It’s so weird. Like being in a time-warp. It’s strange seeing them in a different house, seeing how they act without me, how they even survive. I used to do absolutely everything… but it seems that Noah can manage just fine.’
‘Well, it’s good to know that he’s capable of pulling his finger out when he has to.’ Nathalie snorted in derision. ‘He probably has help.’
‘I think he must have done in London.’
‘Is that where they’ve been?’
‘Yes. They went to New Zealand, but apparently they came back. He says he’s changed job. He said he’s even having therapy, that he’s a changed man.’
‘Ohplease!’ Nathalie rolled her eyes. ‘The oldest line in the book.’
‘I know.’
‘Did he let you see Raffy?’
‘Yes. That was the weirdest thing. I was expecting him to kick up a massive fuss but he didn’t, he let Raf come with me, asked me to bring him back in time for lunch.’
‘Wow. So odd. It’s probably all part of his game plan, to convince you that he isn’t a raging control freak anymore. Luckily for you, we know a leopard doesn’t change his spots so easily.’
