“I’ve offered Laura the job. She’s perfect.”
Vera’s smile widened. “How wonderful. I’m so glad to meet you, Laura. Edwin is our pride and joy, and we do so want him to be happy.”
Ruth gave an exaggerated blink and turned to watch Edwin practicing handstands on the lawn.
“Ruth?” Vera tilted her head as she scrutinized her daughter. “You look tired, darling. How are you feeling?”
Ruth sighed. “I do have a bit of a headache, actually. Thissun doesn’t help. I might go and lie down now, if you don’t mind, Laura?”
“Not at all,” I said. “Of course.”
“I’m so glad you’re going to come and live with us.” Ruth kept her hand on her forehead as she stood. “Just let me know which date suits you to move in—maybe next weekend? Mother can call a taxi to take you back to the station when you’re ready.”
“Oh, but—” I stopped, ducking my head as they both looked at me. “I mean, it’s a shame, that’s all, that the other taxi just left. I should have gone in that one.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. Ruth looked at me blankly, but Vera waved away my concern with a gentle smile.
“Not to worry,” Vera said. “Ruth, you go and lie down, and I’ll ring for the taxi and keep Laura company until it gets here.”
Edwin trotted into the house after them, and I stayed on the patio, fanning myself with a picture book from the table. When Vera returned, she brought a jug of cold juice with her, and she sent Edwin off to eat a Popsicle on the lawn so as not to drip it on the cream cushions. She poured me a glass, and asked me a few questions about my school and my swimming squad.
“I’m so glad Ruth likes you,” she said. “She can be rather overprotective of Edwin sometimes. Unsurprisingly, after what happened to his brother—did she tell you?”
I shook my head, the glass at my lips.
She twisted the rings on her fingers. “Edwin had a twin brother. He died the December before last. In an accident.”
The liquid caught in the back of my throat, making me cough. I covered my mouth with my hand, staring at her. “No.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “It was just after their second birthday. I thought you ought to know. We all miss him terribly, of course. But Ruth has found it particularly difficult because she blames herself.”
Her tone was matter-of-fact. I couldn’t find any words.
“Ruth can be a little... unpredictable at times,” she continued. “I’m hoping she’ll get better once you’re here. She doesn’t like me coming over too often, and Dominic’s in the city for work during the week, of course. It’s rather lonely for her. Although she says that’s the way she likes it.”
I watched her twist her rings, struggling to follow her words, the horror of Edwin losing his brother pulsating in my mind.
She paused to scrutinize my face for a moment. “I think you’ll be perfect for her.”
Edwin brought his Popsicle stick to the table and then scampered back to practice forward rolls on the lawn.
“My number’s in the book on the hall table, if you ever need to ring me,” Vera said. “Ah, that’s the taxi.” She rose in one smooth movement. “Edwin, darling. Come and say good-bye to Laura. She has to go now.”
Edwin slid his sticky hand into mine as we walked through the kitchen and hall, and out to the drive. Vera held her purse in front of her.
“When are you coming back, Missus Laura Silvey?” Edwin asked. I cleared my throat, squashing Vera’s words to the back of my mind and concentrating on the serious blue eyes gazing up at me.
“You can call me Laura,” I told him, smiling. I looked at Vera. “If I’m starting a week from Monday...”
“Shall we say Saturday the seventh?” she said. “Give you time to get settled.”
“Yes, great.” I gave Edwin a quick hug, and climbed into the taxi while Vera paid the driver.
“Safe journey,” she called as we pulled away. I waved to the two of them, craning my neck to keep the golden bricks of the house in sight for as long as possible. The greengage in mypocket I would savor on the train home. I had just over a week to pack and say good-bye to my friends, most of whom were starting new jobs, or themselves packing for university. Then I could put my old London life behind me, and dive into the year at Summerbourne that glittered ahead. Ruth and Vera had both said I was perfect for the job. As far as I could see, the job was perfect for me.
3
Seraphine
