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Emily nodded. ‘It was addressed to a man with the same surname, so I’m guessing that’s him.’Emily frowned, thinking about that very letter. She’d found it in the kitchen when she was being told off about Donut. Her mum hadn’t posted it. There wasn’t even a stamp on it ready for posting.
‘Why do you want to invite her to our little party?’
‘She’s nice. I like her. And she’s got the room right next door.’ Emily pointed as she opened the door to Clarissa’s room.
‘Ah. You think she’s a light sleeper?’
Emily shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’
Clarissa walked in, taking in the white, airy room with wooden floors, a large double bed with a colourful patchwork quilt, and gorgeous light oak furnishings. She whirled around full circle. ‘Oh, I love it. This is just perfect.’
Emily smiled at her reaction.
‘Have you asked Alice yet whether she wants to come to our little soiree?’
‘No, but I will. It’s only fair to let her know, as she might hear us next door. Although I doubt she’ll accept.’
Chapter 32
‘Oh, that’s so kind of you to invite me – I’d love to come.’
‘Really?’
‘Oh yes. A party sounds such fun.’ Emily had knocked on Alice’s door while she was preparing to go down and sit in the lounge set aside for guests. She had planned to have a pleasant afternoon reading while she waited for dinner. On her own. She had her pets – she glanced at Marley, who was in her arms, purring – but she missed human company. A little party would be something to look forward to.
Although she’d only been gone a day, and she’d spent a lovely afternoon with Emily, it had been the night before that she’d felt very lonely. Going out with Emily had made her realise how much she missed her family; especially Freya.
Emily turned to go.
‘Tell me about your friend,’ Alice asked, keen for her to stay for a chat. ‘Are you childhood friends?’
Emily shook her head. ‘My sister, my older half-sister, married her brother. That’s how we got to know one another. Clarissa has split up from her husband. He’s got the children for a few days, so she fancied a break in a hotel, with a bit of pampering.’
Alice nodded. She remembered Emily mentioning her best friend coming to stay while her ex-husband looked after the children. ‘Has she come far?’
Emily chuckled. ‘Actually, she lives just up the street.’
Alice stared at her. ‘Shingle Street? And she’s come to stay here?’
‘I know it sounds crazy. She wanted somewhere where she could bring her dog too. Her husband didn’t want to look after Donut as well. He lives in a flat in London, said it wouldn’t be practical.’
Alice could understand that.
‘So, Gerald suggested she could stay here.’ Emily’s smile faded somewhat.
Alice noticed. ‘What is it?’
‘I would have loved her to have grown up here so that I’d have had a friend who could just pop round. We would have been like sisters. I would have loved that.’
‘But didn’t you say that you have a half-sister?
‘Yes, she’s older than me. We were never really close growing up, not like I imagine siblings ought to be.’
Alice understood. She often thought of Freya growing up an only child and how she had missed out on having siblings. She thought of Theo. He was like a son to them, especially to Jeffrey, whom she knew would have loved more children. Of course, their shared interest in writing, talking about plots and characters, Theo passing his work to Jeffrey to cast his eye over, was something they both enjoyed. And from what Jeffrey had said, it sounded as though Theo was on his way to writing his first novel. Jeffrey was so proud.
Alice’s mind had wandered. She looked at Emily. ‘So, does Clarissa work?’
‘Oh, yes. I’m so happy for her. She’s always wanted to be a journalist.’
