Page 56 of Escape to the Country

‘Have a biscuit,’ said Megan, pushing the plate towards her anxious looking friend.

But thankfully there was no need for them to panic. The WI chairwoman and her committee were beaming from ear to ear when they arrived later that morning. The walk was declared to have raised the biggest total ever in their history of fundraising.

‘Well, I must confess that we were all a little nervous when we first heard about our future countess,’ Mrs Havers began, as they stood in the entrance hall. ‘Especially as more and more of the big houses in the area are being bought up by people who aren’t interested in the village at all. But I think we can all agree that our new WI members are a breath of fresh country air.’

Eleanor glanced at Annie who was smiling, flattered by the praise. Even Megan was standing up a little bit straighter.

‘Perhaps we can even make the village Moonwalk an annual event?’ asked one lady.

‘Absolutely,’ said Annie loudly, giving Eleanor a small nudge with her elbow.

Eleanor was just pleased that Annie was looking so relieved.

Mrs. Havers smiled broadly. ‘And I, for one, can’t wait to see Annie’s ideas for the summer fete, which I’m guessing she can’t wait to resurrect. It’ll be quite a show in the hands of our capable future countess!’

The excited babble of conversation carried on around them as Annie stared at her friends in horror. She managed to hide her shock though, merely continuing to carry her rictus smile until everyone else had left and it was just Rose and her friends standing in the entrance hall.

‘Darling, I’m so sorry,’ said Rose, looking aghast. ‘I completely forgot about the summer fete.’

‘It’s fine,’ said Annie, looking as if it really wasn’t. ‘So do Sam and I have to attend in our Lord and Lady mode?’

Rose smiled gently. ‘Of course you do, sweetie. Especially as it’s held here.’

Annie’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Here? Inside our home?’

Rose shook her head. ‘No, in the front grounds. On August bank holiday weekend.’

‘I remember now!’ said Eleanor, having a flashback to her childhood of the summer fete. ‘It was huge!’

‘We haven’t had one for a good few years though,’ said Megan, frowning.

‘Oh my god,’ said Annie. ‘I remember too. How many people are we talking about?’

Megan bit her lip as Rose answered, ‘Well, a lot of people come in from the other villages too so maybe two or three thousand.’

Annie was shocked. ‘Three thousand people!’

‘I seem to remember there were a few stalls and things,’ said Megan, frowning in thought.

‘Of course, it hasn’t taken place since we lost dear Beatrice,’ Rose added. ‘She organised it all. Perhaps Arthur couldn’t face it. But I think the village would love to come out to our little home again and congregate for the afternoon.’

Annie looked hopeful. ‘Maybe we can keep it small and simple?’

Rose laughed. ‘Darling, they’ll expect a big show. So that’s what we’ll give them, naturally.’

As she headed off upstairs, Annie sank down onto the bottom step. ‘Everyone’s going to expect the fete to be amazing,’ she whispered, clutching her head.

‘It’ll be fine,’ said Megan, rushing forward. ‘We’ll help you, won’t we?’

‘Of course,’ said Eleanor, trying to convince herself more than her friends. ‘You can do this. You really can, you know.’

Annie shook her head. ‘I really can’t.’

‘I used to come here for the summer fetes,’ said Eleanor. ‘My dad used to play in the cricket match they held on the front lawn.’

Megan raised her eyebrows. ‘That must have been a long time ago.’

Eleanor blew out a sigh. ‘Yeah.’