Chapter 18
Ava went from strength to strength. She responded marvellously to the care and attention lavished on her and three weeks later, she started trying to climb out of her box. Soon she was staggering around the library, making everyone who saw her laugh with delight.
‘What sort of a dog do you think she is?’ Martha asked Juliet one day, as they played with her.
‘I don’t know. She’s such a mix, isn’t she? There must be some spaniel in there, given those silky, floppy ears, but her body is more like a terrier’s, isn’t it? I’m not sure she’d win any doggy beauty contests, but I think she’s lovely.’
Juliet picked the little dog up and cuddled her, and Ava nuzzled into her neck.
‘You’ve really bonded with her,’ said Martha, smiling. ‘And with Léo. It’s great seeing you so happy. How’s the cookery book coming along?’
‘Really well. Léo has such creative ideas and is doing loads of research – I think people will want to buy it. And it’s been good for Sylvia too. It’s something a bit easier that she can work on when she’s tired.’
‘Do you think she’s all right?’ Tears sprang to Martha’s eyes. ‘I’ve noticed how pale she looks, and she keeps disappearing to Oxford. I’ve wondered if she’s seeing a doctor, but I’ve tried to bring it up with her and she definitely doesn’t want to talk about it.’
‘I know, me too. I think that all we can do at the moment is quietly look after her and hope for the best.’ She handed Ava to her sister for a cuddle. ‘And what about you, Martha?’
‘What about me?’
‘Are you all right? You spend all your time working or pottering about Feywood. I just wondered if you – oh, I don’t know.’
‘Have much of a life? I’m all right.’
‘You should ask Will out for a drink.’
Martha jumped as if her sister had slapped her.
‘What! No, no, I don’t, I mean, I couldn’t possibly. I don’t want to, that is. Look, Jools, I’m fine, I’m busy organising this memorial for Mum. Have you decided yet if you’re going to do anything for it?’
Juliet set her mouth in a stubborn line.
‘Not yet. I know you think I’m mean, but I just can’t see what I would do. Mum had no time for me and certainly not for my art. What part of her memory am I supposed to honour?’
‘I know you didn’t get on with her, and I know she was unkind. I’m not saying you have to do something – of course you don’t. But maybe if you give it some thought, you will find something that you are grateful to her for, or that holds a happy memory, and that might be a better thing for you to focus on, rather than the, well, the er…’
‘The bitterness?’
Martha nodded miserably.
‘Sorry, Jools, but that is what it is.’
‘Yes, it is. I am bitter towards that woman.’ She sighed. ‘But maybe you’re right. Léo would probably witter on about looking to the future and not dwelling on the past, so I suppose I could try something along those lines.’
‘Well, see how you go. But you will come? I think it’s going to end up being quite a big event.’
‘Yes, of course I’ll come. And I’ll help if you need it.’
Martha smiled.
‘Thank you. I’ve been trying to rope Frankie in, but she’s hardly ever here at the moment.’
‘There’s a new man on the scene, isn’t there? It’s obvious from all the texts and secret smiles.’
‘I think there must be, but I don’t understand why she’s being so clandestine about it. Usually, we have to meet them over breakfast about five minutes after they got together, and then just when you’ve learnt their name, you find a new one there.’
‘That’s a bit bitchy for you, Martha, even if it is true. You definitely need to ask Will out – or find someone else to fancy.’ Seeing her sister reddening, Juliet moved on swiftly. ‘There must be something about him she doesn’t want us to know – I just hope he’s not married.’
‘Oh, you don’t think so, do you…’
Martha broke off as the door opened and Rousseau came in.
‘Ah, girls, marvellous, I was hoping you’d be here. How’s darling Ava today?’ He scooped the puppy up and kissed her lavishly before continuing, ‘I wanted to see if you were both here for supper tomorrow night. It’s a yes from everyone else – even Frankie, although we’ll see if that comes to fruition. I’m inviting a special guest who I’d like you all to meet.’
‘Ooh, Dad, who is it?’ asked Juliet.
‘I’m not telling you, and you’re not to gossip about it, the three of you – although one might as well be Canute trying to hold back the tide,’ he added dramatically. ‘You can find out tomorrow, just make sure you’re free.’
Both girls agreed, and when he had left the room, blowing kisses to them and Ava – but mostly Ava – they turned to each other and grinned.
‘Come on, then,’ said Juliet, ‘let the gossip begin. Who do you think it is?’
The next evening, everyone started gathering in the sitting room at seven o’clock. Léo and Sylvia were missing, as they had promised to cook for Rousseau’s mystery guest, but the three sisters were there with Will. Ava was snuggled in a blanket on the sofa with Moriarty lying next to her, keeping a close and adoring eye. Even Frankie had turned up, positioning herself by the cocktail cabinet with a feverish glint in her eye.
‘Right, what’s everyone having? I have the tiniest feeling that we might need a stiffener before Dad appears with whoever-it-is. My money’s on an American magnate who wants to pay over the odds for Feywood and chuck us all out so he can make it into a hotel.’
Martha’s hand flew to her mouth.
‘You don’t really think so, do you, Frankie? Surely he wouldn’t?’
Frankie poured a large measure of vodka into the cocktail shaker and shook her head solemnly.
‘Well, I wouldn’t be at all surprised, Martha, not at all.’
Martha turned towards Juliet, her eyes panicky.
‘He won’t, oh he won’t, will he?’
‘Calm down, she’s only joking. You know Dad would prefer to stand here like some sort of tragic Miss Havisham as the crumbling fragments of Feywood fell around him rather than sell it to anyone. Come on, Frank, stop making trouble and start making drinks. I’ll have a Tom Collins if there’s any gin left.’
Soon everyone was furnished with a cocktail – even Will, who usually stuck to tea.
‘You must be worried,’ said Frankie. ‘Do you think he’s bringing in a new estate manager?’
‘Oh, do shut up,’ hissed Juliet. ‘I heard a car outside – that must be them.’
Sure enough, the living room door soon swung open, and everyone sat up in interest, only to be disappointed when Léo and Sylvia came in.
‘Why do you all look so horrified?’ asked Sylvia. ‘We’ve just about finished making supper and we’ve brought canapés; we thought you’d be pleased to see us.’
‘Sorry, Aunt Sylvia,’ said Martha, jumping up to take the large tray from her. ‘We’re all just a bit on edge waiting for Dad and his mystery guest.’
‘But surely it is a lover?’ said Léo, going over to sit next to Juliet. ‘What were you all thinking?’
But nobody had a chance to reply, as the door opened again and this time it was Rousseau, hand in hand with a woman. She was of a similar age to him, with silver hair pinned up, soft waves falling around a pretty and intelligent face. She wore a flowing dress patterned with exotic birds and over this a soft velvet duster coat in deep pink, with a turquoise lining.
‘Everyone, I’d like you to meet Sindhu. Darling, these are my three daughters, Martha, Juliet and Frankie; my sister, Sylvia; Léo, who is running the cooking school with her; and my estate manager, Will.’
Sindhu smiled and gave a little wave.
‘Lovely to meet you all, and to see your wonderful house. Rousseau has told me a lot about Feywood and how much you all love it.’
There was a little ripple of ‘hellos’, followed by an awkward silence. It was Martha who found something to say.
‘I can show you round later, if you like? But maybe you’d like something to drink first?’
‘Yes, please. What are you all having?’
‘Well, Frankie’s making cocktails, but they’re rather strong. We’ve got everything.’
‘I’m going to open some champagne,’ said Rousseau. ‘I’ll go and get it, if that’s what you’d like, darling?’
She nodded shyly, and Rousseau whirled out of the room. There was another silence as everyone looked at each other, or the dogs, or the floor. Léo stood up.
‘Sindhu, come and sit down, try one of our canapés and tell us how you met Rousseau. I think we are all surprised he has managed to keep you a secret: we find such things difficult around here.’
‘Thank you, they smell delicious. We met through art, which probably won’t surprise you, but originally about a hundred years ago when we were students. We didn’t know each other well, but we still have mutual friends and one of them had a party a few months ago. And here we are.’
She popped the canapé in her mouth, and her eyes darted around the room, betraying a nervousness she didn’t show in any other way.
‘What sort of artist are you?’ asked Martha.
‘I used to be a sculptor, working mainly with marble, but in recent years I moved into making jewellery – beaded pieces but also silver. This is all mine.’
‘It’s lovely,’ said Martha, going over to look more closely. ‘Do you work with silver clay or sheet silver?’
‘It depends on what I’m making,’ replied Sindhu, and Martha sat down next to her to continue the discussion.
Juliet glanced around at the others, wondering what they were thinking. Will and Léo were talking earnestly about chimneys or something equally boring, so she disregarded them. Martha was now engaged in conversation with Sindhu about her jewellery as Sylvia listened in, and was as warm and welcoming as only Martha, of all the family, could be. Actually, thought Juliet, she was most like Rousseau in that respect; although she didn’t have his confidence, they shared the same open, all-embracing manner that made everyone feel at home. Her glance moved to Frankie, who was now slouching against the bookcase by the cocktail trolley tapping away at her phone. Juliet was surprised to see that, rather than revelling in this new piece of super-gossip, she instead looked cross and upset. She went over.
‘Hey, Frank, you all right?’
She did not look up from the little screen.
‘Frankie? What’s up? You look furious.’
‘Oh, it’s bloody Dad. He’s such an egoist, making a fuss about his mystery guest, then producing a girlfriend. I mean, who cares?’
She spat out the last word with such vitriol that Juliet took a step back.
‘You obviously do.’
‘And you obviously don’t. Mum’s only been dead a year, he didn’t hang about.’
Juliet shrugged.
‘I had a completely different relationship with Mum from you. Sindhu doesn’t bother me in the least. And don’t make the mistake of letting her bother you. You can’t stop him being with someone, it’ll only make trouble.’
‘Oh, haven’t you got all wise now you’re loved up with Léo?’ said Frankie sarcastically. ‘Live and let live, is it, Juliet? I never thought I’d see the day you stopped fighting. I don’t believe it for a second. Oh, sod this, I’m going out.’
She flung herself out of the room, nearly colliding with Rousseau returning with the champagne. He called after her, but the only response he received was the slamming of the front door. He looked at Juliet questioningly, but she had no intention of explaining Frankie’s sudden departure.
‘You’ve got the champagne, lovely. Shall I get some glasses? We’ve all finished our cocktails, so why don’t we drink to the two of you?’
They toasted the happy couple and, as everyone started chatting again, Martha came over.
‘What happened with Frankie? She doesn’t normally disappear so quickly when there’s champagne on offer.’
Juliet glanced around to make sure they couldn’t be overheard. No, Will and Léo had resumed their boring conversation and Sindhu was talking to Rousseau and Sylvia.
‘She’s upset that Dad’s got a new girlfriend.’
‘Frankie is?’
‘I know. But she was the closest to Mum of all of us, so I suppose it makes sense. What about you? How do you feel about it?’
Martha glanced across the room.
‘Look, I’m happy for him – for them. You know me, I love love, I just can’t seem to find it for myself. But I am worried about the memorial service. Do you think he’ll invite her?’
Juliet shrugged.
‘No idea. I suppose that’s up to Dad.’
‘Mmm. And you? Do you mind he’s seeing someone? Truthfully?’
Juliet opened her mouth to brazen it out, declare her lack of interest in the whole thing, then closed it again and paused. She looked over at Léo, who gave her a big smile, and turned back to her sister.
‘Truthfully, I am fine with it for Dad. He likes to have a partner and she seems nice. But…’
She trailed off. Martha smiled at her encouragingly.
‘Go on, just say it.’
‘Look, the truth is that I have been feeling quite…freed. I’m not saying I’m glad Mum died, but it has been a sort of release for me. I’m not sure I’m ready for a stepmother, to be a mother’s daughter again, just as I was finding out what it means to be me. You probably think that’s disgustingly self-absorbed, but that’s how I feel right now.’
Martha smiled tenderly and reached for Juliet’s hand.
‘I think you’re doing brilliantly as just you, and no amount of girlfriends – whether they become stepmothers or not – is going to change that. And if she does stick around that long, well – maybe we’ll all learn a different sort of mother-daughter relationship. It won’t be the same, Jools, she won’t be the same.’
Juliet returned the squeeze and smiled.
‘Thanks, you’re right. And I’m getting ahead of myself, just a bit. Come on, let’s get some more champagne before Dad necks it all.’